McDonald’s is known for its consistent menu items, but over the years, the fast-food giant has introduced and retired several unique toppings. Some were seasonal, while others were trialed in certain regions, only to disappear before they became permanent fixtures. Here’s a look at some of the most memorable McDonald’s toppings that have come and gone over time.
1. McDonald’s Sriracha Sauce
A few years ago, McDonald’s ventured into the world of spicy flavors by introducing Sriracha sauce as a topping option for its sandwiches. Initially, the sauce was offered as part of a limited-time promotion, and it gained quite a following for its bold flavor. However, after several months, the Sriracha sauce was discontinued, and many fans were left longing for its tangy, spicy kick. Despite its short run, the sauce sparked the idea that McDonald’s could tap into a growing demand for spicy options in fast food.
2. McDLT Special Sauce
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, McDonald’s launched a burger called the McDLT. This sandwich was unique because it featured two separate compartments—one for the warm beef patty and another for the cold lettuce, tomato, and special sauce. The McDLT’s special sauce was a distinctive blend of flavors that complemented the other ingredients. However, the McDLT was eventually phased out due to packaging concerns and environmental factors. The sauce never quite made a return, although the flavors were similar to those in other McDonald’s burgers.
3. Onion Nuggets
Onion nuggets were introduced as a side dish option in the 1970s and were briefly available at McDonald’s locations. These little fried onion pieces were a variation on the classic onion ring, but with a nugget-like shape. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the staying power of other fast-food sides like fries or apple pies and were eventually removed from the menu. The idea behind onion nuggets had potential, but they just didn’t resonate with enough customers.
4. McDonald’s Bacon Mayo
Bacon has long been a fan-favorite topping in the fast food industry, but McDonald’s tried to elevate it further with a bacon mayo topping. This blend of creamy mayo and crispy bacon bits was tested in various locations for a limited time. While the bacon mayo created a cult following, McDonald’s chose to retire it after a while, opting to keep its regular bacon offerings on the menu without the additional mayo sauce.
5. Pizza Sauce
In the early 2000s, McDonald’s attempted to break into the pizza market with a limited-time offering known as the “McPizza.” To go with the pizza, McDonald’s introduced a unique pizza sauce as a topping. The sauce had a thicker, more robust flavor than the classic ketchup served with burgers, aiming to bring a more authentic pizza experience to McDonald’s customers. However, the McPizza and its accompanying toppings were phased out, as the product never gained the necessary popularity. The pizza sauce was also discontinued as a topping soon after, leaving customers wishing for a better pizza experience at McDonald’s.
6. The McRib Sauce (In Variations)
While the McRib is a fan-favorite when it makes its seasonal return, the sauce that accompanies the sandwich has undergone several changes over the years. Originally, the sauce had a slightly tangier and more mustard-based profile, but McDonald’s altered it to be sweeter in subsequent iterations. Some fans still recall the original McRib sauce fondly, with some even hoping McDonald’s would revert to the early version. Despite the enduring popularity of the McRib itself, the sauce’s flavor evolution represents a key example of a McDonald’s topping that has changed (and disappeared) over time.
7. Habanero Ranch Sauce
Habanero ranch sauce was introduced to add a bit of spice and creaminess to McDonald’s menu, particularly on chicken sandwiches. The combination of fiery habanero peppers and creamy ranch dressing was meant to appeal to customers seeking a bold new flavor. Unfortunately, despite its brief popularity, the habanero ranch sauce was phased out and has not returned. This sauce represented McDonald’s foray into hotter, more adventurous toppings, which did not stick around long enough to become a permanent fixture.
8. Cheese and Bacon Fries
McDonald’s has experimented with several topping variations for its fries over the years, and one of the more indulgent offerings was the cheese and bacon fries. This topping option featured McDonald’s famous fries smothered with melted cheese and crispy bacon bits. It was a decadent offering for customers looking for a different take on the fast-food side dish. Despite its initial success in certain regions, cheese and bacon fries were eventually removed from the menu, leaving behind memories of the ultimate guilty pleasure for fry lovers.
9. Tangy Barbecue Sauce (Original Recipe)
Before McDonald’s settled on its current barbecue sauce recipe, there was an earlier version that was tangier and more vinegary in flavor. This original tangy barbecue sauce made its way onto several menu items and became a staple for dipping, particularly for McNuggets. As tastes shifted, McDonald’s altered the formula to its current version, and the original tangy barbecue sauce was discontinued. For some, this change marked the loss of a truly memorable dipping sauce.
10. Mushroom and Swiss Topping
The Mushroom and Swiss topping option was tested for a time, bringing a savory combination of mushrooms and melted Swiss cheese to some McDonald’s burgers. Though it appealed to a certain customer base looking for something heartier, it never gained widespread appeal. The combination was eventually phased out, leaving behind the standard cheese and lettuce toppings.
11. Avocado and Guacamole
For a brief period, McDonald’s tested adding avocado and guacamole to its sandwiches, particularly in the form of a premium topping for burgers and chicken sandwiches. Avocado and guacamole were seen as trendy and health-conscious options, but despite their initial popularity, McDonald’s decided to discontinue the avocado-based topping in favor of keeping things more in line with the traditional menu offerings. The decision to retire these options was met with disappointment, especially from customers seeking healthier alternatives.
Conclusion
Over the years, McDonald’s has offered a variety of toppings in an attempt to satisfy the ever-evolving tastes of its customers. While many of these toppings have come and gone, they each represent a time in McDonald’s history where the company experimented with new flavors to keep things fresh. Some of these toppings are still remembered fondly by fans who wish they would make a return. Whether it’s a spicy Sriracha sauce or creamy habanero ranch, McDonald’s toppings have gone through many iterations, each contributing to the brand’s culinary history.
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