27 McDonald's Copycat Recipes You Can Make Right at Home (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Comfort Food

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

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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

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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

4/27

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

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

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

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7/27

Tmb Studio

Inspired By: Sweet-and-Sour Sauce

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

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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

9/27

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

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

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

12/27

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.

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

14/27

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

15/27

Inspired By: Tangy Barbecue Sauce

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

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

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17/27

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

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

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

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

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

22/27

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

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

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

25/27

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

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

27/27

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

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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.