27 McDonald’s Copycat Recipes

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“I’m lovin’ it”, recognize the catchphrase? Who doesn’t enjoy a trip to McDonald’s every once in a while. Wouldn’t it be great to make your own version of the nation’s favorite fast-food restaurant at home? Well, the good news is that you can! I’ve assembled a list of 27 McDonald’s copycat recipes. Whether it’s a few fries, a Big Mac, their chicken sandwich or McDonald’s very own holiday pie, you’ll find it below.

27 McDonald’s Recipes

These McDonald’s restaurant recipes are guaranteed to peak your interest, no matter whether it’s fries, burgers or shakes you’re interested in. Find your favorite dish and try these copycat McDonald’s recipes yourself today.

1. McDonald’s French Fries

McDonalds fries

The secret to stopping soggy fries is to leave the bag open if you’ve ordered a drive-thru. But then they might go cold. The answer is to make your own at home. There’s no magic, and provided you are competent with a sharp knife and have a few common household ingredients. You should be able to make these pretty easily. The trick is to brine your fries before cooking and plenty of salt afterward!

2. McDonald’s Hash Browns

mcdonald's hash brown recipe

What’s for breakfast? McDonald’s hash browns are a guilty treat when we are on the way to work. The best thing is that you can make a batch and freeze them. An easy and delicious handheld breakfast on the go, anytime we like? Yes, please. Potatoes, eggs, oil, and seasoning are all it takes. The key to a crispy hash brown is squeezing out all of the moisture. From there, you just fry them to golden brown perfection.

3. McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets

mcdonalds chicken nuggets

What’s your favorite dip to go with nuggets? We reckon that unless you have a nice BBQ sauce to accompany them, it isn’t an authentic Mcnuggets recipe! We start by grinding chicken breast (just like McDonald’s) before combining it with a few secret ingredients and dunking them in the delicious batter. From there, its simply a case of deep frying them and getting them all golden and cooked through before serving them with your favorite sauce

4. McDonald’s Mocha Frappe

mcdonalds mocha frappe recipe

Chocolate and coffee served with lashings of ice and maybe topped with a little cream? Sounds delicious, right? That’s because it is! We don’t use any old ice cubes. We actually freeze coffee ice cubes to make sure that our drink doesn’t turn watery. It’s all about the small touches… And plenty of sugar to make it taste perfect

5. McDonald’s Travis Scott Burger

the travis scott burger

The only thing missing when you make this recipe will be the wrapper… Or should we say ‘rapper’? The Travis Scott burger was named after Jacques Berman Webster II (aka Travis Scott). It’s basically a quarter pounder with additional bacon and a few generous slices of cheese. The addition of crispy bacon and shredded lettuce takes this to a whole new level.

6. McDonald’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

mcdonalds chocolate chip cookies

While McDonald’s didn’t start life as a bakery, they make a pretty great cookie. The trick when you bake these is to avoid overcooking them. You are looking for just the right amount of crunch with a slightly floppy center. There are thick chunks of chocolate dotted throughout, so make sure to use nice thick shards when creating your cookies. These last about an hour in our house… Oh well, better bake another batch!

7. McDonald’s Tartar Sauce

Mcdonald's tartar

If you like fish, or even if you just want to be all weird and dip fries and a burger, you’ll love our copycat McDonald’s tartar sauce. It tastes exactly the same as the original. It’s a little fiery with horseradish and just a little bit sweet. It’s the perfect pairing for a crispy piece of fish or even a little dip of a chicken nugget or two!

8. McDonald’s Pancakes

mcdonalds pancake recipe

Fluffy yet really filling. If you’ve got a big day ahead, you are going to want a big breakfast, and we can think of no better way of starting your day off right than with a huge stack of McDonald’s pancakes. The trick to these is to make them small. By the time they heat and spread, they end up just the right size. Syrup, bacon, or both? The choice is yours! We’ll also give you some suggestions on what to serve with pancakes too.

9. McDonald’s BBQ Sauce

mcdonalds bbq recipe

So you’ve made some fries and nuggets, but something is missing? Yep, that’ll be the BBQ sauce! (One of our favorite McDonald’s dipping sauces.) The good news is that it is easy to make. The downside is that it is so tasty that you will end up making more, so you’ve got an excuse to dip! McDonald’s BBQ sauce is sweeter than most store-bought sauces… That’s because we add a secret ingredient. Shhhh, we won’t tell if you don’t!

10. McDonald’s Shamrock Shake Copycat

shamrock shake

Ok, so mint and chocolate might not be everyone’s favorite, but it certainly is ours! The green color comes from a dash of food coloring but doesn’t affect the flavor.  The key to getting this recipe absolutely perfect is to use a generous amount of ice cream. Don’t go overboard on the mint either. You just want a hint. If you are trying to make it a little more classy, a sprig of fresh mint sets the drink off nicely.

11. McDonald’s Holiday Pie

holiday pie recipe

The shame about holiday pie is that it is not available all year round. Except now it is as you can make it yourself at home! The crispy and crackly pastry is dotted with sprinkles that give way to an oozy custardy filling. Try not to burn your mouth or drop it on your lap! We cheat by using vanilla pudding mix and yellow cake mix. It’s the easiest way to make it taste authentic!

12. McDonald’s Hot Mustard

hot mustard

Nuggets or burgers? Either will work well with McDonald’s hot mustard dip! This isn’t any old mustard. There are a few secrets hidden within. Like what? Well, cayenne adds heat, then there’s soy sauce to make it slightly salty, oh and rice wine vinegar to give it a little bite! We add turmeric too to give it that signature yellow color.

13. McDonald’s Sweet Tea Recipe

mcdonald's sweet tea

You can keep your milkshakes and cola! There’s nothing more refreshing on a hot day than a nice chilled glass of sweet tea! Steeping the tea and cooling it releases all of those lovely flavors. This recipe contains a fair amount of sugar, but that’s what makes it so delicious. The best thing is it takes a total of 5 minutes to make!

14. McDonald’s Caramel Frappe

mcdonalds caramel frappe recipe

McDonald’s might just be on the right path to beating Starbucks with its extensive range of cold drinks. You won’t need to visit either as you can make this at home. It will take you all of three minutes to make. The secret lies in the syrup and using plenty of ice to get it nice and thick! It’s easy if you have a blender!

15. McDonald’s Apple Pie

mcdonalds apple pie recipe

While McDonald’s became famous for its burgers, this must come as a close second when it comes to signature dishes! The center is molten and oozy apple surrounded by a crisp and crackly sugar pastry. You can even make these and freeze them! Here’s a secret, for a perfect result, fry your pie, don’t bake it. Give it a go… You can thank us later.

16. McDonald’s Sausage and Egg McMuffin

mcdonalds sausage and egg mcmuffin

Is there any better way to start the day than a nice juicy sausage sandwiched between a breakfast muffin with a circle of delicious egg on top? In the McDonald’s sausage and egg McMuffin recipe, extra points awarded for getting drips of butter, just like the real thing! Oh, and don’t forget the cheese! You can fry the egg, but we like to poach them in a greased ring so that they fit perfectly on the muffin!

17. McDonald’s Breakfast Burrito

McDonalds Breakfast Burrito

A burrito stuffed full with juicy ground pork, tomatoes, cheese, and eggs? It sounds like heaven to us! A burrito wouldn’t be a burrito without a few extra elements of crunch and spice. For that reason, we also include just a hint of green chili and some crunchy and delicious fried onions added in! It takes less than 20 minutes to whip up a huge batch, so it’s ideal for sending the family well-fed when they’re on the go!

18. McDonald’s Szechuan Sauce

Szechuan Sauce

In case you were wondering, it’s pronounced ‘say swan’… It’s an oriental-style sauce that has since been immortalized by an infamous episode of ‘Rick and Morty’… because you couldn’t get it anywhere… Fortunately, you won’t have to take to the streets as you can make it yourself. It contains oriental elements like sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and of course, Szechuan peppercorns. There are a few acidic notes, too, including rice wine vinegar and lime juice! It’s perfect for your nuggets.

19. McDonald’s Iced Coffee

mcdonald's iced coffee

McDonald’s has actually won awards for their coffee… And when it’s as good as this, we can see why. There are a few tricks to keep it rich and tasty. Brewing your coffee strong and allowing it to cool completely before pouring over the ice is the key. The whole drink is sweetened using a simple signature syrup, a mixture of sugar and water stewed to just the right consistency. You can use it in many different drinks too!

20. McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with Cheese

mcdonald's quarter pounder

No list of McDonald’s copycat recipes would be complete without the quarter pounder (no, it isn’t a Royale with cheese!) This is a grownup version of the cheeseburger. The secret to an authentic taste is finely diced onions, and of course, making sure that your patty is thick and juicy. No salad either! McDonald’s don’t do that, and neither should you!

21. McDonald’s Cheeseburger

mcdonalds cheeseburger

Want to know a secret? Getting a tasty cheeseburger is all about the sauce. Steak sauce gives your burger a really meaty taste! For more consistent cooking, you can even try baking your burgers! Feel free to ‘play jazz’ and try a few different sauces. Hot mustard is our favorite! Oh, and don’t forget the pickle either!

22. McDonald’s Chicken Selects

If processed chicken isn’t your thing, then you might want to give these a try. They are strips of delicious and juicy chicken breast coated in a special breadcrumb before being baked to dark brown perfection. Twinned with some McDonald’s fries, they are perfect for trying out a range of dips. It’s the herbs that make the coating. A pinch of basil and a little paprika makes a huge difference!

23. McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish

Filet-O-Fish

Crisp battered fish lovingly sandwiched between a soft and floury white bun and topped with lashings of tartar sauce… It sounds like our idea of heaven. You can use any white fish filet too! Just watch out for the bones. This is actually really easy to make, provided you are organized. Lemon works so well with fish. Try adding some lemon pepper seasoning to make it really sing!

24. McDonald’s Fish McBites

If you like fish but don’t want to cook an entire filet, then fish bites might be a great option. The best thing about this recipe is that they are baked, not fried, so you can really cut out some of the calories easily. Masking the crispy coating is easy… Provided that you have a secret ingredient. Ok, we’ll tell you. It’s crushed cornflakes and parmesan cheese! You can freeze these, too, so they are perfect as a make-ahead dish!

25. McDonald’s Strawberry & Banana Smoothie

mcdonalds strawberry banana smoothie

We couldn’t but include this delicious strawberry banana smoothie on our list! You’ll be glad we showed you how to recreate this for your own kitchen. Skip the queues and make up this delightful recipe. Banana and fresh strawberries really are the best combination. Did we mention it’s really easy to make?

26. McDonald’s Big Mac

mcdonalds big mac

Certainly one of the most widely known recipes on this list is the big mac. McDonald’s most famous recipe has to be also the tastiest. We’ve recreated this copycat recipe so you can bring it into your own home.

Don’t forget the sauce, as that’s what makes this big mac so special. When you make it, let us know hows your recipe turns out.

27. McDonald’s Strawberry Shake

How’s about we finish off with a nice thick milkshake! You won’t need to worry about the machine being broken in McDonald’s, just make your own at home! Ice cream, strawberry syrup, a few fresh strawberries, and milk. That’s pretty much it. You might still have to wait to be able to suck it through the straw however!

27 McDonald’s Recipes

4 from 16 votes
Recipe by Laura Ritterman

These McDonald’s recipes can instantly be recreated in your kitchen starting today. Avoid long queues at the drive thru and enjoy these from the comfort of your home.

Directions

  • Choose from these 27 copycat recipes.
  • Gather the required ingredients and serve up.
  • Enjoy

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Conclusion

McDonald’s has grown its menu massively over the last few years. Still, hopefully, you’ll be able to find one of your favorites among our 27 McDonald’s copycat recipes. Recreate classics and discontinued recipes like the McRib at home.

Are there any that you think are missing from the list? What’s your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.

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