McDonald’s adds bacon to the Big Mac for first time in UK history

McDonald’s will add bacon to its famous Big Mac burger recipe for the first time ever in the UK.

Until now, the brand’s star sandwich has consisted of two beef patties, Big Mac sauce, lettuce, a slice of cheese, pickles and onions.

This is the first time since the Big Mac was launched in the UK in 1968 that the fast food chain has changed its statement recipe.

Thanks to popular demand, the fast food giant is also bringing back two more burgers – the Grand Big Mac and the Mac Junior – with added bacon.

The Big Mac variants were originally released as part of a limited-edition offer by the fast food chain when it celebrated the Big Mac’s 50^th birthday last year.

So, how much will these bacon-filled burgers set you back?

The Big Mac with bacon costs £3.09 and will include two slices of streaky bacon (the original Big Mac without bacon is still available).

As you might have guessed, the Grand Big Mac is a bigger version of the Big Mac.

It consists of sesame topped buns, two beef patties, two slices of cheese, lettuce, onions, Big Mac sauce and bacon and costs £4.08.

Meanwhile, the Mac Junior is a small version of the Big Mac and is made up of just one beef patty, a slice of cheese, lettuce, onion, pickles and Big Mac sauce, sandwiched together in a sesame topped bun. It is priced at £2.29.

The bacon-filled Big Mac, Grand Mac and the Mac Junior will only be available in restaurants nationwide until 19 March, so you’ll want to get your greasy mitts on the limited-edition burgers pronto.

Michelle Graham-Clare, head of marketing at McDonald’s UK & Ireland, said: “The customer reaction to our Grand Big Mac and Mac Jr last year was phenomenal, the love for the iconic Big Mac surpassed all expectations.

“Which is why I am delighted to introduce bacon to the Big Mac range, a twist on a classic.”

On 29 January, participating McDonald’s restaurants in US will also offer customers free bacon in a launch dubbed “Bacon Hour”.

Diners will be able to add bacon, without charge, on the side with any menu item for one full hour from 4-5pm, local time.

The Big Mac was created by Jim Delligatti, a Pennsylvania McDonald’s franchise owner, who wanted to create a hamburger big enough to feed hungry steel workers who arrived at his restaurant after work.

Delligatti came up with the burger – that included two beef patties – and served it for the first time in his Uniontown, Pennsylvania, McDonald’s in 1967.

In 1968, the new burger was introduced to McDonald’s throughout the United States and went on to be known as the Big Mac.

News of McDonald’s adding bacon to its Big Macs comes a week after the good chain offered its customers free cheeseburgers for Blue Monday.