Quick Answers
A McGriddle with sausage contains around 510 calories. The exact calorie count can vary slightly depending on the restaurant location and preparation method. A standard McGriddle with sausage contains approximately:
- 510 calories
- 28g fat
- 820mg sodium
- 34g carbohydrates
- 18g protein
Introducing the McGriddle
The McGriddle is a popular McDonald’s breakfast sandwich that features sweet maple-flavored pancake buns enveloping egg, cheese, and breakfast meat. This sweet and savory combination has made the McGriddle a go-to choice for those looking for a satisfying morning meal.
The traditional McGriddle comes with an egg and cheese sandwich between two pancake griddle cakes. Customers can also choose to add different meats like sausage, bacon, or ham to create variations like the Sausage McGriddle.
The pancake griddle cakes that make the McGriddle so distinctive are made from McDonald’s proprietary batter. This allows them to achieve that light and fluffy texture along with the tantalizing maple taste.
Adding a protein like sausage, bacon, or ham provides a pleasant salty counterbalance to the griddle cakes’ sweetness. The egg and cheese add even more richness, making the McGriddle a very filling and gratifying way to start your day.
Popularity of the McGriddle
Ever since its national launch in the early 2000s, the McGriddle has become a staple on the McDonald’s morning menu. Its winning combination of flavors and textures has appealed to consumers looking for a unique and satisfying breakfast sandwich option.
In a fast food breakfast landscape dominated by biscuits, bagels, and English muffins, the McGriddle stands out for its use of sweet maple pancakes. This innovation caught many people’s attention and drove up demand.
The McGriddle’s popularity has endured over the years, cementing its status as a McDonald’s classic. In many markets, it continues to be one of the top-selling items during breakfast hours.
When McDonald’s removes the McGriddle from its menu during certain seasonal promotions, there is always a stream of complaints on social media demanding its return. This reflects just how beloved the McGriddle is to its legions of devoted fans.
Nutritional Profile
Adding sausage to a McGriddle does increase its calorie and fat content compared to a simple egg and cheese version. However, it also provides a hefty dose of protein to help keep you full and satisfied.
Here is the approximate nutrition information for a standard Sausage McGriddle:
- Calories: 510
- Total Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 215mg
- Sodium: 820mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 34g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 9g
- Protein: 18g
The majority of the fat comes from the sausage patty, along with smaller amounts from the egg and cheese. The carb count is driven up by the pancake bun’s maple flavoring and sugar content.
Overall, while not the most diet-friendly choice, the Sausage McGriddle can be reasonably incorporated into a balanced breakfast, especially if paired with fresh fruit or other nutritious options. Moderating condiments like syrup and limiting high-calorie drinks on the side will help control calories.
McDonald’s Sausage Patties
The sausage patty provides the distinctive meaty flavor in a Sausage McGriddle. McDonald’s uses seasoned ground pork to make its breakfast sausage.
Each 2.8 oz pork sausage patty contains approximately:
- 180 calories
- 16g fat
- 5g saturated fat
- 45mg cholesterol
- 370mg sodium
- 1g carbohydrates
- 6g protein
Pork is the key ingredient, making up at least 70% of the patty. The seasoning blend contains salt, dextrose, spices, corn syrup solids, and natural flavorings.
McDonald’s pre-cooks the sausage thoroughly to eliminate health risks from raw pork. The patties are shaped with a distinctive round form that fits nicely into the McGriddle and other breakfast sandwiches.
The pork sausage brings a nice hit of protein plus savory flavor. It adds considerable fat, but also keeps you feeling full and energized. Overall, it’s a tasty complement to the sweet McGriddle cakes.
Preparation Methods
McDonald’s uses several steps to assemble a hot and tasty Sausage McGriddle. The process includes:
- Toasting the pancake griddle cakes
- Cooking a folded egg patty on a grill
- Heating the sausage patty on the grill
- Placing a slice of melty American cheese
- Sandwiching the components between the griddle cakes
The folded egg allows the yolk and white to stay together, creating a uniform layer of fluffy egg. The cheese helps bind everything together into a cohesive, gooey bite.
Cooking the different parts separately maximizes flavor. The griddle cakes toast up crispy, the sausage patties brown, and the eggs get fluffy.
Assembling the hot ingredients melts the cheese nicely and allows the sweet and savory flavors to mingle. This cooking process results in a tasty finished product.
How Many Calories in Different Versions
Adding or subtracting ingredients from the standard Sausage McGriddle will raise or reduce the total calorie count. Here are the approximate calories for some common variations:
Bacon McGriddle
Subbing in bacon for sausage saves about 40 calories:
- Calories: 470
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 34g
- Protein: 18g
Sausage & Egg McGriddle
Leaving out the cheese slice reduces calories by about 30:
- Calories: 480
- Fat: 28g
- Carbs: 34g
- Protein: 18g
Sausage McGriddle Meal with Syrup
Adding a hash brown and syrup to make a full meal bumps up the total significantly:
- Calories: 1090
- Fat: 50g
- Carbs: 144g
- Protein: 27g
Egg & Cheese McGriddle
The no-meat option cuts calories by about 220:
- Calories: 290
- Fat: 14g
- Carbs: 34g
- Protein: 13g
So customize your McGriddle to control the nutrition profile!
Cost of a McGriddle with Sausage
McGriddle prices can vary a bit between locations. Here are some typical prices in the United States as of 2023:
- Sausage McGriddle alone: $3.39 – $3.99
- Sausage McGriddle Meal: $5.69 – $6.49
- Sausage & Egg McGriddle: $2.79 – $3.29
Prices tend to be slightly higher in areas like New York City or Chicago. Combo meals that include hash browns and a drink usually cost a couple dollars more than a standalone McGriddle.
McDonald’s frequently offers special promotions that discount McGriddles and other menu items. Downloading the McDonald’s app can provide access to exclusive daily deals.
Price of Ingredients
Here is an estimate of what the key ingredients in a Sausage McGriddle cost McDonald’s:
- Pork sausage patty: $0.30 – $0.45
- Folded egg: $0.15 – $0.20
- Cheese slice: $0.10 – $0.15
- Maple pancakes: $0.20 – $0.25
Of course, McDonald’s gets wholesale pricing, so their actual ingredient costs are likely lower than these retail estimates. Labor, overhead, and profit margin also factor into the final menu prices. But this gives a sense of the basic costs of a McGriddle’s components.
Nutrition Tips for McGriddles
McGriddles can be part of a healthy lifestyle when consumed in moderation. Here are some tips for getting the most nutrition from your meal:
Size Matters
Consider ordering just a sandwich rather than a mega meal complete with hash browns and sugary drink. Splitting a McGriddle with a friend saves calories too.
Customize It
Skip the sausage and cheese to lower fat and sodium. Or add veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, and onions for more fiber.
Balance Your Meal
Pair your McGriddle with fresh fruit, yogurt, or oatmeal for some wholesome nutrients. Steer clear of fried sides and sugary drinks.
Watch the Extras
Easy on high-calorie sauces and spreads. Syrup, butter, and mayo can quickly drive up the total calories.
Mind Your Portion
A little goes a long way with the rich McGriddle. Consider splitting it in half and saving room for balanced snacks later.
Burn Those Calories
Budget some extra workout time into your day when enjoying indulgent meals. Even a brisk walk can help offset treats.
Pick Your Splurges
Make the McGriddle an occasional targeted indulgence rather than an everyday habit.
McGriddles: America’s Favorite Pancake Sandwich
With their tantalizing maple taste and sweet-meets-savory appeal, McGriddles have earned an enduring spot in American fast food culture. Adding sausage, bacon, or ham turns the signature griddle cakes into a complete on-the-go meal.
A Sausage McGriddle supplies about 510 calories. That’s certainly on the high side, but not excessive for an occasional breakfast treat. Moderating portion size and condiments, while combining it with nutritious sides, can help keep McGriddles in your diet while still maintaining overall nutrition goals.
So next time you wake up craving that irresistible maple syrup flavor, feel free to grab a McGriddle and customize it to satisfy your morning hunger. With some thoughtful choices, it can be part of a balanced breakfast now and then.
