I’ll just put it out there. I love McDonald’s. That’s right. I said it.
Sometimes you just need a Big Mac. Or a Shamrock Shake. Or a Sausage and Egg McMuffin because it is morning and you are hungry. But sometimes you (or I) don’t want to leave the house. Or spend the money. Or eat ingredients that you can’t pronounce.
Enter these McDonald’s Copycat Recipes! We are taking the absolute best of the Golden Arches and making them right in our own kitchens.
It is cheaper. It is healthier. And I am 99% sure it tastes even better than the real thing.
1. McDonald’s Southwest Salad
Okay, aside from the shakes, this Southwest Salad is my top pick on the menu. We are talking fresh veggies, corn, black beans, and those crunchy tortilla chips that make everything better.
The marinade gives it a little zest and the peppers bring a slight heat that I just love.
2. Oreo McFlurry
If you have five minutes and a blender, you are in business. You just pour in milk, vanilla ice cream, and Oreos and hit the button. It really is that simple.
Top it with a cherry and some whipped cream for a morning drink that feels totally decadent.
3. Big Mac
Two all-beef patties and special sauce? Yes, please. This copycat recipe lets you make the icon right at home.
It gives you the full rundown on that famous sauce, which is a balanced mix of mayo, relish, French dressing, ketchup, and pickle juice. It is super easy to pull together.
4. McDonald’s Mocha Frappe
Here is one more sweet treat for your blender. To get that icy, frosty texture, you will want to make coffee ice cubes a day ahead of time.
Once those are ready, blend them with chilled coffee, milk, chocolate syrup, and half-and-half. Top it all off with whipped cream and you are set.
5. McDonald’s Hash Browns
These hash browns are golden brown, crunchy, and seasoned to perfection. They are also gluten-free and vegan-friendly, which is awesome.
The prep time looks long, but that is mostly just freezing time, so don’t worry!
6. McDonald’s Holiday Pie
It is hard to beat this warm, flaky, crispy treat. It is basically a sugar cookie mixed with a homemade pie, and everything about it is baked goods perfection.
The powdered sugar glaze is absolutely drool-worthy, and you can even make them in the air fryer.
7. Strawberry Banana Smoothie
This fruity goodness comes together in five minutes or less.
Just toss half a banana, almond milk, frozen strawberries, and vanilla yogurt into the blender. Blend it for a minute and enjoy.
8. McDonald’s Tartar Sauce
McDonald’s makes phenomenal tartar sauce, which is kind of funny for a burger place.
Luckily, it is easy to recreate with mayo, sugar, chopped onion, and dill pickle relish. You will be putting this stuff on everything.
9. McDonald’s Pancakes
Pancakes are always a win. These are sweet, fluffy, and scrumptious.
The trick here is adding the sugar and a dash of salt, which really sets them apart.
10. McDonald’s Copycat Sweet Chili Chicken Wrap
This healthy wrap is just as pretty as it is tasty. If you love crisp garden veggies, juicy chicken, and that Thai sweet chili sauce, this is the one for you.
Plus, it only takes ten minutes to prep.
11. McDonald’s Shake
You only need three ingredients to make a copycat shake at home. Start with a base of low-fat milk and vanilla ice cream.
Then you can add sugar for vanilla, Nestle Strawberry Powder for strawberry, or Nesquik for chocolate.
12. McDonald’s Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry
The arrival of this treat is one of the best things about spring. It is just as simple to make as the Oreo version.
Just toss vanilla ice cream, heavy whipping cream, and Cadbury Eggs into the blender and pulse it a few times.
13. McDonald’s French Fries
There is just something about these fries. They are thin, crispy, and have the precise amount of salt to make them spectacular.
This recipe is actually a little healthier than the original, but they still look and feel the same, which is awesome.
14. McDonald’s McCafe Caramel Cappuccino
With just milk, coffee, caramel topping, and whipped cream, you can whip this up at home.
It rivals cappuccinos from the finest coffee shops. Seriously.
15. Shamrock Shake
It is a bummer that this isn’t on the menu all year, but at least we have this copycat recipe!
It is just as smooth, thick, creamy, and tasty as the real deal.
16. McDonald’s Buffalo Chicken Nuggets
These take a little longer to make, but they are well worth the 45 minutes. The simple four-ingredient breading is perfectly crunchy.
The chicken stays tender and flavorful, and that tangy buffalo sauce just rounds the whole thing out.
