✔ Updated · 50 copycats: 27 full recipes + quick how-tos
These 50 McDonald's copycat recipes bring the drive-thru home, from the Big Mac and fries to McMuffins, McFlurries and frappes. My full recipes are linked on the cards, and the rest get a quick how-to.
The most popular McDonald's copycat recipes are the Big Mac with its special sauce, thin double-fried french fries, chicken nuggets, the Sausage and Egg McMuffin, hash browns, apple pie, the Oreo McFlurry and the caramel frappe. For the closest taste, use thin patties on a very hot griddle, soak and double-fry the fries, and cook beef to 160°F and chicken to 165°F.
- Easiest: the sauces, sweet tea, shakes and the parfait, all ready in 10 minutes.
- Best for a crowd: a burger and fries night with nuggets and three or four dips.
- Make ahead: hash browns, apple pies and cookie dough all freeze well.
McDonald's Burger Copycats
Thin patties, a screaming hot pan and soft toasted buns are the whole game here. My mum's trick still works: press a little thumb dimple into each patty so it cooks flat. Ground beef is done at 160°F.
1. Big Mac
Two thin beef patties, the middle bun, shredded lettuce, pickles, onion and that tangy special sauce.
Get the recipe →2. Big Mac Sauce
The pink, tangy burger sauce on its own, for burgers, fries and wraps.
How: Stir 1/2 cup mayo, 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tsp white vinegar, 1/2 tsp each garlic and onion powder and a pinch of paprika. Chill 1 hour.
3. Quarter Pounder with Cheese
A thick, juicy quarter-pound patty with two slices of melty cheese on a sesame bun.
How: Press 4 oz of 80/20 ground beef into a wide patty, season with salt and pepper and sear 3 minutes a side until 160°F. Add 2 cheese slices, slivered onion, pickles, ketchup and mustard on a toasted sesame bun.
4. Cheeseburger
The little classic: a thin griddled patty, American cheese, pickles, onion, ketchup and mustard.
Get the recipe →5. McDouble
Two thin patties and one slice of cheese, the best-value burger on the menu, made at home.
How: Cook two thin 1.6 oz beef patties on a very hot griddle until 160°F, melt one slice of American cheese between them, then add pickles, rehydrated minced onion, ketchup and mustard on a toasted bun.
6. McRib
Saucy boneless pork patty with tangy barbecue sauce, onions and pickles on a long roll.
Get the recipe →
7. Travis Scott Burger
The 2020 celebrity meal at home: a Quarter Pounder-style burger with bacon, cheese and lettuce.
Get the recipe →
8. J Balvin Meal
The 2020 celebrity combo: a Big Mac with no pickles, fries with ketchup and an Oreo McFlurry.
Get the recipe →Chicken and Fish Copycats
Fry at 350°F in small batches and drain on a wire rack so nothing goes soggy. Chicken is done at 165°F, fish at 145°F.
9. Chicken Nuggets
Tender ground chicken nuggets in a light, crisp tempura-style coating. Dunk them in every sauce below.
Get the recipe →
10. Crispy Chicken Sandwich
A crunchy breaded chicken fillet with shredded lettuce and mayo on a soft toasted bun.
Get the recipe →11. Chicken Selects
Whole-muscle chicken strips with a peppery crust, a retired favorite worth bringing back at home.
How: Soak chicken tenderloins in salted buttermilk for 2 hours, dredge in flour seasoned with pepper, garlic and paprika, then panko, and fry at 350°F for 4 to 5 minutes until 165°F.
12. Filet-O-Fish
Crispy breaded fish, tartar sauce and half a slice of cheese on a soft steamed bun.
How: Cut cod or pollock into squares, bread in flour, egg and panko and fry at 350°F until 145°F. Steam the bun for 20 seconds, then add tartar sauce and half a slice of American cheese.
13. Fish McBites
Bite-size breaded fish pieces, another retired menu item that is easy to make at home.
How: Cut white fish into bite-size pieces, coat in seasoned flour, egg and panko, spray with oil and bake at 425°F for 10 to 12 minutes, turning once, until 145°F.
Breakfast Copycats
Weekend breakfast is my favorite McDonald's-at-home moment. Cook the sausage to 160°F and keep everything warm in a low oven while you assemble.
14. Hash Browns
Golden, crispy shredded potato patties you can make ahead and freeze for busy mornings.
Get the recipe →
15. Hotcakes (Pancakes)
Fluffy, golden stacks with butter and syrup, just like the breakfast platter.
Get the recipe →
16. Sausage and Egg McMuffin
Savory sausage patty, a round egg and melty cheese in a toasted English muffin.
Get the recipe →17. Egg McMuffin
The original: Canadian bacon, a perfectly round egg and cheese on a buttered English muffin.
How: Cook an egg in a greased ring mold with a splash of water under a lid until just set. Stack with warm Canadian bacon, a slice of American cheese and a buttered, toasted English muffin.
18. Breakfast Burrito
Scrambled eggs, sausage, peppers, onions and cheese rolled in a warm flour tortilla.
Get the recipe →19. McGriddles
Sweet maple pancake buns around sausage, egg and cheese.
How: Make small pancakes and drizzle a little maple syrup onto each one as it cooks so it caramelizes into pockets. Sandwich a sausage patty, a folded egg and cheese between two.
20. Sausage Biscuit
A peppery sausage patty tucked into a warm, flaky buttermilk biscuit.
How: Season ground pork with salt, ground sage, black pepper and a pinch of red pepper flakes, shape thin patties and cook until 160°F. Serve in a split buttermilk biscuit.
21. Big Breakfast
The full plate: scrambled eggs, sausage, a hash brown and a warm biscuit.
How: Soft-scramble the eggs, cook a sausage patty to 160°F, crisp a hash brown in the oven and warm a biscuit. Add a short stack of hotcakes for the big version.
22. Fruit and Maple Oatmeal
Creamy oats with brown sugar, diced apple, cranberries and raisins.
How: Cook quick oats in water with a splash of light cream, sweeten with brown sugar or maple syrup and top with diced apple, dried cranberries and raisins.
23. Fruit and Yogurt Parfait
Layers of vanilla yogurt, berries and crunchy granola.
How: Layer vanilla yogurt with sliced strawberries and blueberries in a glass, then add a spoonful of granola right before eating so it stays crunchy.
Fries and Dipping Sauces
Honestly, the sauces are half the fun. Mayo-based sauces keep in the fridge, covered, for up to 5 days. For every dip on the menu, see my McDonald's dipping sauces guide, and for leftovers, how to reheat fries.
24. French Fries
Thin, golden, double-fried fries with a fluffy middle. The soak and the second fry are the secret.
Get the recipe →
28. Szechuan Sauce
The famous sweet, garlicky soy and ginger dip, made in 10 minutes.
Get the recipe →29. Sweet and Sour Sauce
Fruity, sticky and tangy, the classic nugget dip.
How: Simmer 1/2 cup apricot preserves, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp white vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water until glossy. Cool before serving.
30. Honey Mustard
Sweet, creamy and mellow, great with nuggets and chicken strips.
How: Whisk 1/4 cup mayo, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard and 1 tsp yellow mustard with a squeeze of lemon juice.
31. Creamy Ranch
Cool, herby ranch for dunking fries, nuggets and wings.
How: Whisk 1/2 cup mayo, 1/4 cup sour cream and 1/4 cup buttermilk with dried dill, parsley and chives, garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper. Chill 30 minutes.
Dessert Copycats
Chocolate-chip cookies are a family favorite in our kitchen, and the pies disappear even faster. Bake the pies until the filling bubbles through the vents.
33. Holiday Pie
Sugar-cookie crust, vanilla custard filling and rainbow sprinkles, a seasonal treat any time.
Get the recipe →
35. Oreo McFlurry
Soft vanilla ice cream with crushed Oreo cookies swirled through. Swap in M&Ms for a change.
Get the recipe →36. Hot Fudge Sundae
Soft vanilla ice cream under thick, warm hot fudge.
How: Simmer 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup sugar and 2 tbsp corn syrup, then stir in 4 oz chopped dark chocolate until glossy. Spoon it warm over vanilla ice cream; add peanuts if you like.
37. Caramel Sundae
Vanilla ice cream with a buttery, pourable caramel sauce.
How: Melt 1/2 cup brown sugar with 4 tbsp butter, whisk in 1/2 cup heavy cream and a pinch of salt and simmer 2 minutes. Cool slightly and pour over vanilla ice cream.
38. Vanilla Cone
Light, creamy soft-serve style vanilla in a crisp cone.
How: Let vanilla ice cream soften for 10 minutes, beat it for 30 seconds in a stand mixer until smooth and soft-serve-like, then pipe into cake cones.
Shakes, Frappes and Drinks
My caramel frappe is my favorite afternoon treat, and Lucy and Max ask for the caffeine-free version. For thick shakes, use more ice cream than you think and very cold milk.
39. Shamrock Shake
Minty green vanilla shake with whipped cream, a March favorite you can make any time.
Get the recipe →
41. Strawberry Shake
Thick, pink and fruity, the classic shake.
How: Blend 3 scoops vanilla ice cream with 1/2 cup cold whole milk and 1/4 cup strawberry syrup or blended strawberries. Top with whipped cream.
42. Chocolate Shake
Rich and thick chocolate shake with whipped cream.
How: Blend 3 scoops vanilla ice cream with 1/2 cup cold whole milk and 3 tbsp chocolate syrup until smooth. Top with whipped cream.
43. Vanilla Shake
The simple one, and still one of the best.
How: Blend 3 scoops vanilla ice cream with 1/2 cup cold whole milk, 1 tbsp sugar and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. Top with whipped cream.
44. Caramel Frappe
Icy blended coffee with caramel, whipped cream and a caramel drizzle.
Get the recipe →
45. Mocha Frappe
Chocolate and coffee blended with ice and topped with whipped cream.
Get the recipe →
47. Sweet Tea
Southern-style sweet tea, brewed strong and chilled. A big pitcher costs pennies.
Get the recipe →
48. Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Strawberries, banana and yogurt blended thick and frosty.
Get the recipe →49. Mango Pineapple Smoothie
A bright, tropical blend of mango, pineapple and yogurt.
How: Blend 1 cup frozen mango, 1/2 cup frozen pineapple, 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt and 1/2 cup apple or orange juice with a handful of ice.
50. Hot Chocolate
Creamy hot chocolate with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle.
How: Warm 1 cup whole milk with 2 tbsp chocolate syrup and 1 tsp sugar, whisk until frothy and top with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle.
McDonald's Copycat Basics
A few habits get you most of the way to that drive-thru taste.
- Thin patties, hot griddle: press beef thin, season after it hits the pan, and sear hard. Cook ground beef to 160°F.
- Steam the buns: 15 to 20 seconds in a covered steamer basket gives that soft, squishy bun.
- Rehydrated onion: soak dried minced onion in water for 10 minutes; it tastes more like the burgers than fresh onion.
- Double-fry the fries: soak cut potatoes, fry at 325°F until soft, rest, then fry again at 375°F until golden.
- Fry with a thermometer: keep oil at 350°F for nuggets and fish. Chicken is done at 165°F, fish at 145°F.
- Reheat smart: use the oven or air fryer at 375°F to 400°F; leftovers with meat should reach 165°F.
McDonald's Copycat Menu Table
Every recipe on this page at a glance. Feeding a crowd instead? See my McDonald's catering menu guide, or browse every McFlurry flavor.
| Menu item | Category | Our recipe |
|---|---|---|
| Big Mac | Burgers | Full recipe |
| Big Mac Sauce | Burgers | Quick how-to |
| Quarter Pounder with Cheese | Burgers | Quick how-to |
| Cheeseburger | Burgers | Full recipe |
| McDouble | Burgers | Quick how-to |
| McRib | Burgers | Full recipe |
| Travis Scott Burger | Burgers | Full recipe |
| J Balvin Meal | Burgers | Full recipe |
| Chicken Nuggets | Chicken and fish | Full recipe |
| Crispy Chicken Sandwich | Chicken and fish | Full recipe |
| Chicken Selects | Chicken and fish | Quick how-to |
| Filet-O-Fish | Chicken and fish | Quick how-to |
| Fish McBites | Chicken and fish | Quick how-to |
| Hash Browns | Breakfast | Full recipe |
| Hotcakes (Pancakes) | Breakfast | Full recipe |
| Sausage and Egg McMuffin | Breakfast | Full recipe |
| Egg McMuffin | Breakfast | Quick how-to |
| Breakfast Burrito | Breakfast | Full recipe |
| McGriddles | Breakfast | Quick how-to |
| Sausage Biscuit | Breakfast | Quick how-to |
| Big Breakfast | Breakfast | Quick how-to |
| Fruit and Maple Oatmeal | Breakfast | Quick how-to |
| Fruit and Yogurt Parfait | Breakfast | Quick how-to |
| French Fries | Fries and sauces | Full recipe |
| Tangy BBQ Sauce | Fries and sauces | Full recipe |
| Hot Mustard | Fries and sauces | Full recipe |
| Tartar Sauce | Fries and sauces | Full recipe |
| Szechuan Sauce | Fries and sauces | Full recipe |
| Sweet and Sour Sauce | Fries and sauces | Quick how-to |
| Honey Mustard | Fries and sauces | Quick how-to |
| Creamy Ranch | Fries and sauces | Quick how-to |
| Apple Pie | Desserts | Full recipe |
| Holiday Pie | Desserts | Full recipe |
| Chocolate Chip Cookies | Desserts | Full recipe |
| Oreo McFlurry | Desserts | Full recipe |
| Hot Fudge Sundae | Desserts | Quick how-to |
| Caramel Sundae | Desserts | Quick how-to |
| Vanilla Cone | Desserts | Quick how-to |
| Shamrock Shake | Shakes and drinks | Full recipe |
| Eggnog Shake | Shakes and drinks | Full recipe |
| Strawberry Shake | Shakes and drinks | Quick how-to |
| Chocolate Shake | Shakes and drinks | Quick how-to |
| Vanilla Shake | Shakes and drinks | Quick how-to |
| Caramel Frappe | Shakes and drinks | Full recipe |
| Mocha Frappe | Shakes and drinks | Full recipe |
| Iced Coffee | Shakes and drinks | Full recipe |
| Sweet Tea | Shakes and drinks | Full recipe |
| Strawberry Banana Smoothie | Shakes and drinks | Full recipe |
| Mango Pineapple Smoothie | Shakes and drinks | Quick how-to |
| Hot Chocolate | Shakes and drinks | Quick how-to |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best McDonald's copycat recipe?
The Big Mac is the one most people want, with french fries a close second. Use two thin patties cooked on a very hot griddle to 160°F, the middle bun, shredded lettuce, pickles, rehydrated onion and a tangy mayo, relish and mustard sauce.
What is in Big Mac sauce?
McDonald's doesn't publish its exact recipe, so every copycat is a best guess. Most home versions use mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, a little vinegar, garlic and onion powder and paprika. Let it chill for an hour so the flavors blend.
How do you make fries like McDonald's at home?
Cut thin, even fries, soak them in cold water to remove starch, then dry them well. Fry once at 325°F until soft, let them rest, and fry again at 375°F until golden and crisp. Salt them the second they come out of the oil.
Can I make McDonald's copycat recipes in an air fryer?
Yes. Nuggets, chicken strips, fish bites, hash browns and fries all work. Spray them lightly with oil and air fry at 380°F to 400°F, turning halfway, until golden. Chicken must reach 165°F and fish 145°F inside.
Which McDonald's copycat recipes can I make ahead?
Hash browns, apple pies and holiday pies freeze well before or after baking. The sauces keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, sweet tea for 3 to 4 days, and cookie dough can be frozen in scoops and baked straight from frozen.
