How many calories are in a McGriddle?

November 23, 2025 •

3 min read

A standard Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle contains 550 calories, according to the official McDonald's nutritional information. This total can vary significantly depending on the specific ingredients, such as sausage or bacon, so it is important to know the breakdown for each variety when tracking your intake.

Quick Summary

This guide breaks down the calorie counts for all McGriddle variations based on official McDonald's nutritional data. It examines fat, sodium, and sugar content and compares McGriddles to other fast-food and homemade breakfast options.

Key Points

Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle: Contains 550 calories, making it one of the higher-calorie breakfast options.
Sausage McGriddle: Features 430 calories, a lower-calorie alternative to the version with egg and cheese.
Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddle: Also has 430 calories, making it nutritionally similar to the Sausage McGriddle.
High Sodium Content: All McGriddle varieties are high in sodium, often exceeding half of the recommended daily intake.
Homemade Alternatives: Recipes for healthier, homemade McGriddles can significantly reduce calories, fat, and sodium using leaner ingredients.
Calorie Comparison: An Egg McMuffin has 310 calories, a much lower-calorie choice than any McGriddle option.

A Closer Look at McGriddle Calorie Counts

For many fast-food lovers, the McGriddle is a beloved breakfast item, balancing sweet, maple-infused griddle cakes with savory fillings. However, the caloric and nutritional content can vary significantly based on the specific type of sandwich you order. Understanding this breakdown is key for making informed dietary decisions.

Official McDonald's McGriddle Nutrition

Different fillings result in different nutritional values. Here is a summary of the most popular McGriddle options based on recent data from McDonald's:

Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle: This is often the highest-calorie option, clocking in at around 550 calories. It also contains 33g of total fat, 1290mg of sodium, and 15g of sugar.
Sausage McGriddle: Removing the egg and cheese brings the calorie count down to 430. This version has 24g of fat, 990mg of sodium, and 14g of sugar.
Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddle: A bit lighter than its sausage counterpart, this one typically contains 430 calories. It comes with 21g of fat, 1230mg of sodium, and 15g of sugar.
Steak, Egg & Cheese McGriddle: The steak version is another high-calorie choice, coming in at 520 calories, with 29g of fat and 1370mg of sodium.

Key Nutritional Components to Consider

Beyond just calories, there are several other nutritional factors to weigh when eating a McGriddle:

Sodium: The sodium content is a significant concern for most McGriddles. A Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle contains over half the recommended daily value of sodium for many adults. Excessive sodium intake can contribute to high blood pressure.
Saturated Fat: The high fat content, especially saturated fat, is another nutritional drawback. The saturated fat in a single McGriddle can represent a large percentage of a person's daily recommended intake.
Sugar: The distinctive sweet maple taste comes from sugar added directly to the griddle cakes. For those monitoring their sugar intake, this is an important factor to consider.

McGriddle vs. Other Breakfast Options

To put the McGriddle's nutritional profile into perspective, here is a comparison with other popular breakfast choices. This can help you decide if it aligns with your dietary goals. All values are approximate and can vary slightly.


Item	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)	Sugar (g)
Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle	550	33	1290	15
Sausage McGriddle	430	24	990	14
Egg McMuffin	310	13	770	3
Sausage McMuffin with Egg	480	31	830	4
Big Breakfast (no Hotcakes)	760	48	1500	7
Sausage Burrito	310	17	780	2

As the table shows, the McGriddle varieties tend to have a higher calorie and sodium count than the McMuffin options. The Egg McMuffin, in particular, offers a much more balanced profile with significantly less fat and sugar.

Making Healthier Choices

For those watching their intake, making a simple substitution can have a big impact. Opting for an Egg McMuffin instead of a Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle saves over 200 calories, along with a considerable amount of fat and sodium. If you want to enjoy the flavor of the McGriddle without the heavy calorie count, there are also healthier, homemade alternatives that use protein pancake mix and leaner protein options.

Conclusion

Understanding how many calories are in a McGriddle is just the first step toward making informed fast-food decisions. While delicious, the high calorie, fat, and sodium content of a McGriddle means it should be an occasional treat rather than a regular breakfast option, especially for those with health goals in mind. When you know the nutritional facts, you can choose wisely and find satisfying alternatives that better align with a balanced diet.

How to create a healthier homemade McGriddle

For a more nutritious, low-calorie version of this breakfast favorite, consider making a copycat McGriddle at home. Start with a healthy, high-protein pancake mix like Kodiak Cakes and swap out the sausage patty for lean turkey sausage or scrambled egg whites. You can also use a small amount of sugar-free maple syrup to get the classic sweet flavor without the added sugars found in the fast-food version. This allows you to control the ingredients and significantly lower the calories, sodium, and fat content while still enjoying the flavor profile of the original.

Understanding the 'McGriddle meal' calories

If you order a McGriddle meal, your total calorie count will be significantly higher. For example, a Sausage McGriddle meal with a hash brown and a small coffee is approximately 695 calories, while a Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle meal is even higher. The addition of a hash brown alone adds around 150 calories and considerable fat and sodium. To make a healthier meal, you can skip the side dish and opt for just the sandwich and a black coffee or unsweetened tea.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Chicken McGriddle has the fewest calories at 380, but this item may not be available on all menus. Of the standard offerings, the Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddle and Sausage McGriddle are the lowest, both with 430 calories.

No, the McGriddle is not considered a healthy breakfast option due to its high levels of calories, fat, sodium, and sugar. Healthier choices are available on the menu, such as the Egg McMuffin, which has fewer calories and less fat.

The carbohydrate count varies by type. A Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle contains around 44g of carbs, while a Sausage McGriddle has about 41g. The amount is largely due to the sweet, maple-infused griddle cakes.

There are about 15g of sugar in the Sausage, Egg & Cheese and Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddles, and 14g in the Sausage McGriddle. The sugar is primarily incorporated directly into the griddle cakes.

No, McGriddles are typically only available during McDonald's breakfast hours, which can vary by location. Some McDonald's restaurants offer all-day breakfast, but it is best to check with your local store.

Yes, ordering a McGriddle as part of a meal adds a significant number of calories. For example, a Sausage McGriddle meal with a hash brown and small coffee is approximately 695 calories, significantly higher than the sandwich alone.

Yes, you can make a healthier, lower-calorie McGriddle at home. Using protein pancake mix, lean turkey sausage, and sugar-free syrup can drastically reduce the calorie, fat, and sugar content.