The price of the Big Mac at my local McDonald’s here in San Antonio Texas is $4.69 while a Big Mac Meal is $8.59. If you live in San Francisco, a Big Mac costs $6.95, while a meal is around $11.89.
So as you can see, there’s a disparity in the prices and that’s because 95% of McDonald’s locations are owned by franchises – they are able to set their own prices. According to this CNN news report, however, the average price of the Big Mac in 2024 is $5.29.
You may refer to this post I found online which lists the Big Mac and the Big Mac Meal prices in each of the 50 states.
Big Mac Menu and Ingredients
The Big Mac ingredients include:
- Big Mac Bun
- 100% Beef Patty
- Shredded Lettuce
- Big Mac Sauce
- Pasteurized Process American Cheese
- Pickle Slices
- Onions
But let’s talk about the patty. On their website, McDonald’s states that the patties in their burgers are “100% fresh beef” seasoned with salt and pepper and then formed into patties. Once cooked, it’s layered with the Big Mac sauce (a secret recipe) and topped off with pickles, chopped onion, shredded lettuce and two slices (not one!) of American cheese.
Big Mac Nutrition Information
I’ll be honest, the Big Mac is not the healthiest menu item on the McDonald’s menu. But who can resist this big juicy burger? Here’s the nutrition information for the Big Mac:
- 590 calories
- 25g protein
- 46g total carbohydrates (17 % DV )
- 34g total fat (44 % DV )
- Cholesterol 85mg (28 % DV)
- Dietary Fiber 3g (11 % DV)
- Calcium 120mg (10 % DV)
- Iron 4.5mg (25 % DV)
- Potassium 390mg (8 % DV)
- Sodium 1050mg (46 % DV)
If you consume a Big Mac Meal with medium fries and drinks, here are the nutrition values:
- 1,120 calories
- 30g protein
- 145g total carbohydrates (52% DV )
- 49g total fat (63% DV )
- Cholesterol 85mg (28 % DV)
- Dietary Fiber 7g (25 % DV)
- Calcium 137mg (12 % DV)
- Iron 5.5mg (29 % DV)
- Potassium 1,050mg (23 % DV)
- Sodium 1365mg (59 % DV)
Alternatives to the Big Mac
Whether you want a healthier burger or an even bigger burger, here are the burger alternatives you can consider ordering next time you go to McDonald’s:
McDonald’s Hamburger
This classic burger is made with a simple beef patty, seasoned with a bit of salt and pepper, and topped with a chopped onions, pickle slice, ketchup, and mustard.
McDonald’s Cheeseburger
The McDonald’s Cheeseburger includes a seasoned beef patty, chopped onions, ketchup, a slice of pickle, mustard, and a slice of American cheese.
McDonald’s Double Cheeseburger
The Double Cheeseburger at McDonald’s has 2 beef patties, chopped onions, pickles, ketchup, mustard, and 2 slices of American cheese. It stands taller and looks more substantial than the Hamburger and Cheeseburger, with a prominent layer of cheese, ketchup and pickles.
McDouble
The McDouble also has 2 seasoned beef patties, chopped onions, pickles ketchup, mustard, and a slice of American cheese. Its tidy appearance and added height from the second patty make it appealing, though it lacks extras like fresh lettuce and tomato.
Quarter Pounder with Cheese
The Quarter Pounder With Cheese comes with a quarter-pound beef patty, pickles, slivered onions, ketchup, mustard, and two slices of American cheese, all served on a sesame seed bun.
Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese
The Bacon Quarter Pounder With Cheese has all the ingredients of a regular Quarter Pounder, with the addition of applewood smoked bacon.
Quarter Pounder With Cheese Deluxe
The Quarter Pounder With Cheese Deluxe includes the classic Quarter Pounder toppings, plus tomato, lettuce and mayo.
Double Quarter Pounder With Cheese
The Double Quarter Pounder With Cheese features two quarter-pound beef patties, 2 slices of cheese, and all the toppings found on the regular Quarter Pounder. The cheese melts over the beef which looks very enticing.
Grand Mac
The Grand Big Mac is a larger version of the traditional Big Mac, made with I think quarter-pounder patties instead of the usual cheeseburger or Big Mac patties.
Mac Jr
The Mac Jr is a smaller version of the Big Mac, resembling a cheeseburger with Mac Sauce, and is also more affordable.
Is the Big Mac Worth the Price?
At less than 5 bucks, I think the Big Mac is a good option for a satisfying meal on a budget. However, it really depends on the location. Consider this McDonald’s outlet in Connecticut which sells the Big Mac Meal for $18 I definitely wouldn’t buy it at that price.
In any case, here are some reviews of the Big Mac from Mickey D fans:
Sandra L.
My favorite mc Donald’s!!! Open 24 hours !!! So food at whatever time I need!!! very convenient!!! Came here at 2am to get my favorite big mac meal and I got the mushroom burger its back!!! I came at 2 am and one of the worker Robert was very polite and kind since I got the extra crispy fries he politely let me know it was going to take a couple minutes . Everything was good 🙂 I love this McDonald!
Arnold Z.
The most incredible hamburger I have ever had the pleasure of sinking my teeth into. This is one of those memories that lasts a lifetime. If I could have children this is where I would take them to learn about American cuisine. Suck it France with your “pommes frites”, you don’t have shit on these French fries!
Eliza K.
McDonald’s has always been a family favorite fast food from as long as I can remember. If you haven’t had food from here then you are definitely living under a rock. They are the epitome of fast food and the service has always been great. I often get their Big Mac or even their Double Quarter Pounder with cheese. Both are always my absolute favorite and I get them every time. I love that these are meals on a budget and easy food for on the go. It is in no way healthy but definitely is a cheat meal for me. I have always been a fan of McDonald’s and will continue to be.