McDonald’s Big Arch Burger 2026: Secret Ingredients Revealed

McDonald’s recently released its newest, boldest burger yet: the McDonald’s Big Arch Burger. Stacked with two quarter-pound beef patties, three slices of white cheddar cheese, and a new Big Arch Sauce, this burger is juicy and packed with flavor from top to bottom. The meaty creation sits on a toasted sesame and poppy seed bun that is piled with crispy onions, pickles, and lettuce. Here’s what you need to know before you try it for yourself.

What Is the McDonald's Big Arch Burger?

The McDonald's Big Arch Burger is a limited-time menu item that McDonald's claims is the most McDonald's burger yet. It's bigger, bolder and more loaded than just about any other burger on the menu.

1. Why is it called the Big Arch?

The name 'Big Arch' is hat tipped directly at fast food giants McDonald's and their famous Golden Arches, one of the world's most iconic logos. It gives customers an immediate impression that this burger is a flagship - the best burger McDonald's can place between two buns.

2. Is the McDonald's Big Arch Burger a Limited-Time Item?

Yes. The McDonald's Big Arch Burger is being offered for but a fleeting moment. It is not a part of the permanent menu, and therefore they could remove it from menus whenever they please. So, if you do have a curiosity to try one at least you know now would be the time to do it since McDonald's has made them available at participating locations across the United States.

3. here Is the Big Arch Burger Available?

The Big Arch Burger is available at any participating McDonald's location in the United States that offers mobile ordering. You can order it for pickup via the McDonald's app or have it delivered through McDelivery.

McDonald's Big Arch Burger Ingredients: A Full Breakdown

The ingredient lineup of the McDonald's Big Arch Burger is one of the main things that has people talking. Each layer of this burger has been selected to give you a big, mouthwatering bite.

1. Two-Quarters pound 100% Beef Patties

The Big Arch Burger features two beef patties. Each patty weighs in at a quarter pound before cooking, so you’re getting half-a-pound of 100% real beef in every burger. The patties are cooked fresh to order and they turn out nice and juicy on the inside with a tasty sear on the outside.

2. Triple-Layered Pasteurized White Cheddar Cheese

The Big Arch Burger doesn’t have one or two slices of cheese. It packs three slices of pasteurized process white cheddar cheese. And because, three layers of cheese melt together over the hot burger patties forming a gooey, creamy, cheesy blanket that covers the whole burger bite.

3. The New Big Arch Sauce - The Real Star of the Show

But let's be serious, the most exciting part about this burger? It's the Big Arch Sauce. McDonald's created a new sauce just for this burger and it is tangy, creamy, mustard-y, pickle-y, sweet-tomatoey perfection. This sauce is what ties everything together and it gives the burger an exclusive flavor that sets it apart from every other sandwich at McDonalds.

4. Toppings: Crispy Onions, Slivered Onions, Pickles, and Lettuce

The Big Arch Burger is served on a toasted sesame and poppy seed bun. I like that they added the poppy seeds to this bun, as it makes it different from other buns they use at McDonald’s. The bun is toasted nice and golden not burnt with a slight crunch, just enough to hold everything together.

5. The Toasted Sesame and Poppy Seed Bun

The bun that the Big Arch Burger is served on is a toasted sesame and poppy seed bun. The poppy seeds are something special and different about this bun compared to the other buns used for the burgers on the McDonald’s menu. The bun is lightly toasted to a golden color, creating a slight crunch with each bite while keeping everything together nicely.

McDonald's Big Arch Burger Calories and Nutritional Information

Before you order, it helps to know what you are getting from a nutrition standpoint.

How many Calories are in the Big Arch Burger?

The McDonald's Big Arch Burger contains 1,020 calories. This is for the burger alone, not including a side or beverage. If you are counting your daily calorie intake, be aware that 1,020 calories are about half the average adult recommended daily intake on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Macronutrient Snapshot: Fat, Protein, Carbs, and Sodium

In general, here is what we have nutrition-wise with the Big Arch Burger based on information from McDonald's:

Note: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Please refer to McDonald's website for the most up to date nutritional information.

Here Are the Allergen Information to Help You Decide

The Big Arch Burger does have some common allergens. There is dairy (from cheese and sauce), wheat (in bun), sesame (sesame seeds on bun) and soy.  McDonald’s also says that “Due to the individualized nature of food allergies and food sensitivities, customers’ physicians may be best positioned to make recommendations for customers with food allergies and special dietary needs.”

McDonald's Big Arch Burger vs. Other McDonald's Burgers

Curious as to how the Big Arch Burger compares to the rest of the McDonald's menu? Here's a side by side.

Big Arch Burger vs. Big Mac: What Is the Real Difference?

Both burgers are iconic in their own way, but they are quite different. Here is how they compare:

Big Arch Burger vs. Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese

The Big Arch Burger and the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese both are made with two quarter-pound beef patties. But there some key differences:

The Big Arch Burger is the only one used exclusive sauce and triple cheese layering which brings more richness and complexity than just Double Quarter Pounder.

FAQs

1. How long will the Big Arch Burger be sold?

McDonald’s has not specified an end date to the Big Arch Burger, however limited-time offerings at McDonald’s regularly disappear from the menu without much warning. So if you want to get a taste of this burger, don’t wait too long to try it out!

2. Is the Big Arch Burger at All McDonald’s?

The Big Arch Burger is available at some of McDonald’s restaurants. Not every location will have it. You can check the McDonald’s app or McDonald’s website restaurant locator to see if there is a location near you that has the Big Arch Burger for sale.

3. What is The Big Arch Sauce Made Of?

The Big Arch Sauce is a brand-new sauce made just for this burger. It's tangy, creamy, and has flavors of mustard, pickle, and sweet tomato in it. This sauce is not on any other current McDonald's menu item either. The sauce is one of the things people are most excited about with this burger.

4. Can I Get the Big Arch Burger in a Meal?

You might be able to get the big arch burger as a meal at some places participating in that but I don't know for sure. A meal would probably come with the burger plus a medium fry and a medium drink. You can probably check your local mcdonald's or even look on the mcdonald's app to see if there is a big arch meal option.