Prices are approximate and vary by restaurant. Last updated October 2026.
Few McDonald’s UK returns get people talking like the Big Tasty. The smoky-sauced burger with the cult following is back on UK menus for October 2026 — and if history is anything to go by, it won’t be around forever. Here’s everything worth knowing: the price, what’s actually inside it, the calories, and how long you’ve got.
Big Tasty price UK 2026
The Big Tasty is one of the priciest burgers on the McDonald’s UK menu — you’re paying for the bigger patty and the limited-run status. Here’s the current picture:
| Item | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Big Tasty (burger only) | ~£7.09 |
| Big Tasty with Bacon (burger only) | ~£7.89 |
Prices vary by restaurant — independent menu trackers list the standard Big Tasty anywhere from £7.09 to £7.19 and the bacon version up to £8.09, so treat the till or app price at your local as the final word. For context, a standard Big Mac burger is around £4–£5.50, so the Big Tasty sits a good £2–£3 above it. See our full UK menu prices guide for how the whole board compares.
It’s worth noting that the Big Tasty is reportedly not available in every restaurant — if it’s not showing in your McDonald’s app or on the menu board, that’s why. It does tend to be a dine-in, drive-thru and delivery regular wherever it is stocked, though.
What’s inside the Big Tasty?
The Big Tasty isn’t just a Big Mac with a new name — the build is genuinely different, and the smoky sauce is the whole point. Here’s what’s in it:
- A bigger beef patty — a third-pound (about 151g) 100% beef patty, noticeably thicker than the standard McDonald’s patty
- Three slices of Emmental — the mild, nutty Swiss-style cheese that melts into the patty
- Big Tasty sauce — the signature smoky-flavoured sauce that defines the burger
- Square-cut lettuce, two slices of tomato and sliced onions
- A 5-inch toasted sesame seed bun, slightly larger than the standard bun to hold it all together
The Big Tasty with Bacon adds strips of Beechwood smoked bacon on top of the standard build. That smoky-on-smoky combination — bacon plus the Big Tasty sauce — is the reason the bacon version has its own loyal fanbase.
One thing the Big Tasty doesn’t have: pickles or ketchup. The sauce does all the heavy lifting, which is why fans describe it as richer and smokier than anything else on the menu.
Big Tasty calories and nutrition
This is not a light lunch. The Big Tasty is one of the highest-calorie burgers McDonald’s UK sells:
- Big Tasty: around 800 kcal
- Big Tasty with Bacon: around 850 kcal
For comparison, a standard Big Mac is roughly 500–510 kcal, so the Big Tasty packs about 60% more energy. If you’re counting, that’s close to half a day’s reference intake in the burger alone — before fries. The exact numbers can shift slightly between menu runs, so check the nutrition panel in the McDonald’s UK app for the current listing at your restaurant.
How long is the Big Tasty back for?
McDonald’s itself describes the Big Tasty as a promotional item that only appears on the menu at certain times — it has never been a permanent fixture in the UK, despite years of fans asking for exactly that. (It even has unofficial fan pages demanding it stay.)
McDonald’s has not confirmed an end date for this October 2026 run. Past runs have typically lasted around six weeks, and the Big Tasty has a habit of hanging around into the festive season — it was a headline item on last year’s Christmas menu too. With the Christmas menu expected in late November, there’s a real chance the Big Tasty bridges the gap, but that’s speculation until McDonald’s confirms it.
The safe move: if you want one, don’t wait. Limited items can sell out or be pulled with little warning, and the Big Tasty is exactly the kind of burger that disappears from the app overnight.
Big Tasty vs Big Mac: which is better?
The honest answer depends on what you like. The Big Mac is the icon — two smaller patties, Big Mac sauce, pickles, the three-part bun — and it’s cheaper. The Big Tasty is the heavyweight: a single thick patty, real Emmental instead of processed cheese slices, fresh tomato, and that smoky sauce.
Choose the Big Tasty if you want the biggest, richest beef burger on the menu and don’t mind paying around £7 for it. Choose the Big Mac if you want the classic taste at a lower price — or grab both and decide for yourself. Either way, see what’s new alongside it in our October 2026 new menu guide.
How to get one before it’s gone
- Check the app first. The Big Tasty isn’t in every restaurant, so confirm it’s listed at your local before you travel.
- It’s a limited run. No confirmed end date means it could go at any time — don’t bank on it still being there next month.
- Consider the bacon version. It’s roughly 80p more and, for most fans, the definitive version.
- Watch the Christmas menu. If the Big Tasty survives into late November, the festive menu usually brings its own limited burgers — our Christmas menu 2026 guide tracks what’s expected.
FAQ
Is the Big Tasty back in the UK?
Yes — the Big Tasty returned to McDonald’s UK menus in October 2026, available in the standard and bacon versions.
How much is the Big Tasty in 2026?
Around £7.09 for the standard burger, or about £7.89 with bacon. Prices vary by restaurant, so check your local menu or app.
What’s the Big Tasty sauce?
It’s McDonald’s signature smoky-flavoured sauce made for the Big Tasty — richer and smokier than Big Mac sauce, and the main reason the burger has a cult following.
How many calories are in a Big Tasty?
Roughly 800 kcal for the standard burger, or about 850 kcal with bacon. That’s around 60% more than ZZZa Big Mac.
When does the Big Tasty leave the menu?
McDonald’s hasn’t confirmed an end date for the October 2026 run. Past runs have lasted around six weeks, and it may carry into the Christmas season — but nothing is guaranteed.
Is the Big Tasty permanent?
No. It’s a limited-time promotional item that returns periodically, despite long-running fan campaigns to make it permanent.
Does every McDonald’s sell the Big Tasty?
No — it’s not available in all restaurants. Check the McDonald’s app for your local before visiting.
The bottom line
The Big Tasty’s return is one of the best things about the October 2026 menu: a genuinely different burger with a proper cult following, at around £7.09 (£7.89 with bacon). It’s big, it’s smoky, it’s not light — and it’s not permanent. If it’s your favourite, this is your window. Grab it while it’s here.
This is an independent guide and is not affiliated with McDonald’s Corporation. Prices, availability and nutrition figures are set by McDonald’s UK and can change — always confirm in the app before visiting.
If you want something even bigger, the Big Arch is McDonald’s UK’s biggest permanent burger — read our full Big Arch UK guide.
For expected 2026 festive prices on the Big Tasty and the full seasonal lineup, see our McDonald’s Festive Menu Prices 2026 UK guide.
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