Bring America's most popular fast-food restaurant home, without the drive-thru, with these copycat McDonald's recipes.
1/27
Inspired By: McDonald’s Cheeseburger
A favorite on McDonald’s dollar menu, these copycat burgers are a blend of ground beef and breadcrumbs. You can cook them on the stovetop on a grill pan or a standard skillet. I like to top these burgers with cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, ketchup and mustard. —Mike Goldman, Arden Hills, Minnesota
Go to Recipe
2/27
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Inspired By: McDonald’s Special Sauce
We cracked the code on one of McDonald’s best-kept secrets; the Big Mac sauce! Perfect for topping on burgers, or dipping your fries and nuggets in, this McDonald’s copycat recipe is one you’ll want to keep on hand. —Taste of HomeTest Kitchen
Go to Recipe
3/27
Inspired By: Chicken McNuggets
I like to make these golden chicken nuggets because they’re so quick and easy. My whole family loves them. The seasoning can also be used on chicken breast halves to make amazing sandwiches. —Annette Ellyson, Carolina, West Virginia
Go to Recipe
4/27
Taste of Home
Inspired By: McDonald's French Fries
It’s a fact that McDonald’s fries are one of their best-selling items, so we’ve created an even tastier way to eat their fries! The addition of Parmesan and garlic is optional, but they make this side dish simply irresistible. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Go to Recipe
5/27
Inspired By: Egg McMuffin
On a busy morning, this McDonald’s copycat recipe save the day. A hearty combo of eggs, Canadian bacon and cheese will keep you fueled through lunchtime and beyond. —Christine Rukavena, Taste of Home Senior Editor
Go to Recipe
6/27
NANCY MOCK FOR TASTE OF HOME
Inspired By: Shamrock Shake
When this colorful dessert appears on the McDonald’s menu, you know St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. Make your own all year round with this McDonald’s copycat recipe. —Nancy Mock, Colchester, Vermont
The sauces of all sauces to go with a crispy McNugget, this sweet-and-sour sauce recipe tastes just like the franchise’s. If you like your sauces spicy, some crushed red pepper flakes give this sauce a little added kick. —Taste of HomeTest Kitchen
Go to Recipe
8/27
Inspired By: Quarter Pounder with Cheese
This McDonald’s copycat recipe is a terrific taste of summer served with tall glasses of lemonade or cola. —Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia
Go to Recipe
9/27
Taste of Home
I turned classic breakfast sandwiches into something heartier that you could even enjoy for dinner. We pile toppings like salsa and avocado—mayo and ketchup, too—on the homemade biscuits. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Go to Recipe
10/27
Inspired By: Honey Mustard Sauce
This fast, easy mustard with rice vinegar and honey has more flavor than any other honey mustard dressing I’ve ever tried. —Sharon Rehm, New Blaine, Arkansas
Go to Recipe
11/27
Inspire By: McChicken
After trying all the major fast-food chains’ chicken sandwiches, I decided to come up with my own McDonald’s copycat recipe. I know everyone says theirs is better than the original, but mine really is. —Ralph Jones, San Diego, California
Go to Recipe
12/27
Taste of Home
Inspired By: McCafe Strawberry Shake
Cool off with a thick and rich treat that will remind you of a malt shoppe! Nothing can beat this McDonald’s copycat strawberry shake recipe. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana.
Go to Recipe
13/27
Inspired By: Hotcakes
I found this fluffy and easy pancake recipe among our old family favorites and adapted it to make a small amount. It’s quick and easy to prepare, but we still consider it a special treat. —Eugene Presley, Council, Virginia
Go to Recipe
14/27
Taste of Home
Inspired By: Chicken Selects
I recently made this recipe of Mom's for my in-laws and they told me it was the "best fried chicken ever." Slicing the chicken breasts into strips cuts down on cooking time and ensures every piece is crunchy and evenly coated. Serve the homemade chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. —Genny Monchamp, Redding, California
I’ve never cared that much for store bought barbecue sauce. I just like to make things myself from scratch including this spicy, deep red-brown sauce. You’ll find it clings well when you slather it on grilled meat. —Helena Georgette Mann, Sacramento, California
Go to Recipe
16/27
TMB Studio
Inspired By: Iced Coffee
Skip those morning drive-thru stops with this McDonald’s copycat iced coffee recipe. Made with only four ingredients, your morning drink necessity can even been made ahead of time so it’s ready to go when you are. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Go to Recipe
17/27
Taste of Home
Inspired By: Cinnamon Melts
A slow cooker turns day-old cinnamon rolls into a comforting, old-fashioned dessert. It tastes wonderful topped with lemon or vanilla sauce or whipped cream. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
Go to Recipe
18/27
Inspired By: McRib
Perfect for a weekday dinner or cozy weekend meal, this McDonald’s copycat recipe makes fall-off-the-bone tender meat with delicious flavor. —Margaret Luchsinger, Jupiter, Florida
Go to Recipe
19/27
I tasted muesli on a trip to Switzerland, and when I came home, I made it my way. Keep things interesting (and avoid midmorning munchies) by adding different fruits and nuts every day. —Maddie Kirk, Springfield, Pennsylvania
Go to Recipe
20/27
Inspired By: Filet-O-Fish
The seasoned breading of this hearty sandwich turns mild-flavored cod or halibut into a taste sensation, and the creamy sauce just keeps it going! —Mildred Caruso, Brighton, Tennessee
Go to Recipe
21/27
Inspired By: Tartar Sauce
You’ll never buy the jarred stuff again once you’ve tried this homemade tartar sauce recipe! —Michelle Stromko, Darlington, Maryland
Go to Recipe
22/27
Taste of Home
Inspired By: Spicy Chicken McNuggets
We devour these spicy chicken nuggets at least once a week. If you want to tone down the heat, skip the chipotle pepper. —Cheryl Cook, Palmyra, Virginia
Go to Recipe
23/27
Inspired By: Sausage Burrito
This is a great kid-friendly recipe that takes only 20 minutes to prepare and cook. —Sharon Haswell, Cheshire, Massachusetts
Go to Recipe
24/27
Inspired By: Sweet BBQ Bacon Burger
Every family has a burger of choice, and this McDonald’s copycat recipe is ours. It’s stacked tall with bacon and crunchy onion rings. —Paula Homer, Nampa, Idaho
Go to Recipe
25/27
Taste of Home
Inspired By: Fruit 'N Yogurt Parfait
The best time for this dessert is midsummer, when the blueberries are thick in our northern woods. Red raspberries can be added to the mixed berries, too, to brighten the patriotic colors. —Anne Theriault, Wellesley, Massachusetts
Go to Recipe
26/27
Inspired By: Fish McBites
My husband and I love fried fish, but we're both trying to cut back on dietary fat. I came up with this oven-baked version. He likes it as much as deep-fried fish, so I know it's a winner. —LaDonna Reed, Ponca City, Oklahoma
Go to Recipe
27/27
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Inspired By: Eggnog Shake
Enjoy the flavors of Christmas all-year-round with this McDonald’s Eggnog Shake recipe. Simply add eggnog, vanilla ice cream, rum extract and nutmeg to a blender and blend it all together for that perfect milkshake. Don’t forget the cherry on top! —Taste of HomeTest Kitchen
Go to Recipe
Originally Published: March 08, 2018
Caroline Stanko
Caroline has been with Taste of Home for the past seven years, working in both print and digital. After starting as an intern for the magazine and special interest publication teams, Caroline was hired as the third-ever digital editor for Taste of Home. Since then, she has researched, written and edited content on just about every topic the site covers, including cooking techniques, buzzy food news, gift guides and many, many recipe collections. Caroline also acts as the editorial lead for video, working with the Test Kitchen, videographers and social media team to produce videos from start to finish.When she’s not tip-tapping on a keyboard, Caroline is probably mixing up a killer co*cktail, reading a dog-eared library book or cooking up a multi-course feast (sometimes all at once). Though she technically lives in Milwaukee, there is a 50/50 chance Caroline is in Chicago or southwest Michigan visiting her close-knit family.
Second, white onions will now be added to the burger patties while they are still on the grill. Another change is that the lettuce added to Big Macs will now be extra fresh for more snap and crunch and a cleaner taste.
McDonald's has been able to build a strong brand through consistent marketing and advertising efforts, including memorable TV commercials and sponsorships of major sporting events. This has helped the company to establish a strong emotional connection with its customers, which has contributed to its enduring success.
The new burger formula will include softer, toasted buns; warm, melty cheese; and onions that are lightly caramelized because they're added to the burgers while they're still on the grill. The iconic Big Mac is also getting an improvement with extra tangy, yet sweet Big Mac sauce added to every burger.
McDonald's Introduces New Grandma McFlurry® as a Sweet Ode to Grandmas, Everywhere. (CHICAGO – May 16, 2024) – McDonald's is the place where lifelong memories are made with grandma. From treating us to an impromptu soft serve to letting us have dessert first - grandmas always know how to make us feel special.
McDonald's is one of the largest and most well-known fast-food chains in the world. Privately-owned Burger King is McDonald's closest competitor. Yum Brands operates Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut. Subway is the largest restaurant chain in the world in terms of size, but sales have been sliding since 2012.
McDonald's menu provides healthier options and serves better coffee and soft drinks than Burger King's. Though both brands are serving various common products on their menu, there are significant differences in their tastes.
The company was founded by Richard and Maurice McDonald. In 1948, they opened their first restaurant in San Bernardino, California. Ray Kroc became involved with the company in 1954 and he purchased the franchise from them in 1961. Today, McDonald's is owned by The Walt Disney Company and Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Fewer burgers are placed on the grill, which somehow results in a hotter, juicier, tastier burger, and the diced white onions are added to the beef patties on the grill as they are cooking, rather than afterwards at the prep table. The cheese has been “tempered” longer to make it meltier as well, Schafer says.
McDonald's has made small modifications to the way it cooks and prepares its much-loved beef burgers, enhancing all the elements customers enjoy most. From adding onions to patties at the grill for extra flavour, to changing the sear of the beef patties – it all adds up to its most delicious burgers yet.
The changes include “hotter, meltier cheese” and adjusting grill settings for a higher quality sear. The result? Burgers so tempting they've “caught the attention of McDonaldland's resident mischief-maker, the Hamburglar.” Along with the improved burgers, the beloved icon is also making a comeback.
The burger patties are also being cooked differently.
The beef patties at McDonald's are now getting a "tighter sear" on the grill. The idea is that by exposing them to more heat, you seal more moisture inside the patties for a juicier bite and a stronger grilled flavor.
Introduction: My name is Aracelis Kilback, I am a nice, gentle, agreeable, joyous, attractive, combative, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
Caroline StankoUpdated: Nov. 11, 2023
