Copycat McDonald's McRib Sandwich with Tangy BBQ Sauce
This homemade version of McDonald's iconic McRib recreates the beloved sandwich with ground pork formed into rib-shaped patties, slathered in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. The pork is seasoned and processed to mimic the original's texture, then frozen for easy handling before cooking on a hot griddle. Served on toasted hoagie rolls with pickles and onions, this copycat recipe delivers all the nostalgic flavors of the limited-time menu item you can make at home anytime.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 pound boneless pork chopsground pork1:1
Use pre-ground pork and skip the processing step
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 6-inch hoagie rollshamburger buns1:1
Standard burger buns work as substitute
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 8 slices pickles
- ½ cup white onion, sliced
Instructions
- 1
Combine ketchup, molasses, Worcestershire, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, ground coriander, and salt in a small saucepan
- 2
Bring mixture to a boil over high heat then reduce to medium-low
- 3
Simmer for 15 minutes until flavors meld together
- 4
Let sauce cool before storing in refrigerator
- 5
Chop pork chops into 1-inch cubes
- 6
Process pork cubes with water, white sugar, and remaining salt until smooth like ground pork
- 7
Divide ground pork into four 4-ounce portions
- 8
Form each portion into a rectangle roughly 6-1/2 by 3-inches
- 9
Create indentations with fingers to make patties look like ribs
- 10
Place patties on parchment paper and cover with another piece
- 11
Freeze patties until frozen solid
- 12
Preheat griddle or cast-iron skillet over high heat
- 13
Cook frozen patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through
- 14
Let pork cool for a minute or two
- 15
Spread butter onto cut side of each bun
- 16
Toast buns cut-side down on hot griddle until lightly browned
- 17
Dip pork patties into barbecue sauce letting excess drip off
- 18
Place pork patties on prepared buns
- 19
Top with pickle slices and sliced onions
Tips
Freeze the formed patties until solid to prevent them from falling apart during cooking and to achieve the proper texture.
Process the pork until completely smooth to mimic the texture of the original McRib patties.
Use a hot griddle or cast-iron skillet for the best sear and to achieve proper browning on the patties.
Good to Know
Store assembled sandwiches in refrigerator for up to 2 days. Store barbecue sauce separately for up to 1 week.
Make barbecue sauce up to 1 week ahead. Form and freeze patties up to 1 month ahead.
Serve immediately while hot. Provide extra barbecue sauce on the side.
Common Mistakes
Don't skip freezing the patties or they may fall apart during cooking
Avoid overcrowding the griddle to ensure proper browning
Substitutions
Use any sweet and tangy barbecue sauce
Standard burger buns work as substitute
FAQ
Can I make this without a food processor?
Yes, you can use pre-ground pork instead of processing pork chops, though the texture will be slightly different from the original.
How long do the frozen patties keep?
Formed patties can be frozen for up to 1 month when properly wrapped in parchment and stored in freezer bags.
Can I use a different cut of pork?
Pork shoulder or pork butt work well as alternatives to pork chops, providing good flavor and fat content for juicy patties.