In an era full of never-ending price hikes and increasingly unhealthy fast food chains, we are expected to become more thrifty and health-conscious when it comes to our gustatorial outings. Sometimes, however, all this pressure can be boring because it severely limits your options.
Serving famous menu items like Quarter Pounders and Big Macs, McDonald's has a loyal fan base because of its dependability and tasty meals. So when you need a quick bite to eat, one of the easiest methods to reduce financial stress is to take advantage of its cheap and cheerful menu.
Discover the most useful hacks for combining meals, unlocking secret menu items, saving money, and avoiding the line!
Special Order: Fries with No Salt
There isn't much debate over who serves the best fast food french fries – McDonald's wins every time. However, if you request them without salt, you can be sure that they are always fresh. Don't worry – you can request a few salt packets to go with your fries on the side.
The “no salt” order ensures you'll receive fresh fries rather than the stale ones hanging around all day. With an unusual order, the crew has no choice but to prepare a special batch that you can salt yourself later.
Half-Price Big Mac
Most folks unquestionably recommend the Big Mac when it comes to McDonald's burgers. Thankfully, there is a clever way to obtain the famous burger at half off. But be warned, it does take a lot of work. To get started, go to the counter or kiosks and place a McDouble order.
When it comes to additional toppings, add all the delicious toppings found on a delicious Big Mac, including onions, mustard, pickles, lettuce, and mayonnaise. Then, drown your patty in the Legendary Big Mac Sauce you ordered on the side. Voila – a half-price Big Mac!
McDonald's Fries Box Hack
The boxes that Mcdonald's fries typically come in are pretty bendable. The perforated edges on the box also serve a purpose because they can be flipped down to make a platform similar to a diving board. This works out perfectly for your ketchup.
To work this hack, start by bending your French fry container, as illustrated in the photo. That’s it – you've created your own custom McDonald's fries container, bravo! Just hand the fries back with the condiments on the flap to prevent spilling, and think of all the hassle this will save you on road trips.
Turn a Happy Meal Box Into a Plate
The absence of a plate from the Happy Meal is the one aspect of it that prevents us from being happy. Due to this factor alone, your child is far more likely to stain their clothes. As it turns out, we’ve actually been misusing the Happy Meal packaging all along. The truth is that the Happy Meal box functions as a plate. Cool, no?
Our children have consumed hundreds of McDonald's Happy Meals; why have we only recently become aware of this clever trick? Now that you know the hack, you'll undoubtedly surprise a few folks as well.
Always Ask for a Receipt
Asking for a receipt determines whether you get a fresh, great burger or one sitting about for hours. If you ask for a receipt, the staff is more likely to offer you a new burger because they might assume you're a mystery shopper.
In case you weren’t aware, mystery shoppers covertly order food to evaluate the quality of the service. To be reimbursed for their expenses, they have to get a receipt. So, if you get one, it’s a clue to McDonald’s staff that you may be a mystery shopper. This being the case, they’re more likely to go out of their way to make sure you’re happy.
Four-Piece Nugget Meals
Okay, so heed this advice if you enjoy eating chicken nuggets. Next time you have a craving, place an order for a four-pack of McNuggets. Some McDonald's appear to cost you more for the bigger meals in a way that is different from the smaller meals for some bizarre and unexplained reason.
For instance, in some McDonald’s restaurants, ten nuggets cost $3.60, whereas a four-piece set only costs $1.19. So check out the pricing in your area to snag yourself a good deal!
DIY Sausage Egg McMuffins
Ah, the Sausage Egg McMuffin. This McDonald’s breakfast staple is considered superior to your typical old McMuffin. Given that it costs far more than the ordinary McMuffin or even a regular sausage McMuffin, it seems that McDonald's knows just how much this example of breakfast perfection is worth.
Thankfully, there is a method to avoid McDonald's high charges. So the next time you visit McDonald's, think about ordering a straightforward Sausage McMuffin (without the egg) and an ala carte "round egg" on the side. Surprisingly, this order is less expensive than a Sausage Egg McMuffin.
Stick an Apple Pie in Your Ice Cream
Despite being a McDonald's dessert staple and unquestionably one of the best in history, apple pie is starting to feel boring for certain folks. This is precisely why McDonald's is working so hard to create new pie flavors. Unfortunately, there isn't anything at all on the McDonald's menu quite like this one.
If you want to jazz up the old classic, get a plain soft-serve sundae and a warm apple pie; it couldn't be easier. First, slice up the pie, then dip each bite in the sundae. Any time is ideal for this magical blend of crispy, warm, cool, and creamy deliciousness. If you’re really adventurous, you could even match your pie with a McFlurry!
Get an Extra Shot for a Caffeine Kick
What's awful about coffee is that it appears like the more delicious your caffeinated beverage is, the less effective it is. You just won't get the same caffeine spike from a nice milky latte as you will from a shot of espresso.
Fortunately, there is a workaround; you can always order an espresso shot on the side when you get your preferred beverage. If you’re looking for a jolt of energy, try adding one or two espresso shots to the mocha latte. It has a terrific flavor, but be warned – the caffeine will make your heart race!
Get a Sesame-Free Bun
It's impossible to deny the fact that some people are fussy eaters. Although it’s not common, some of these picky eaters go so far as to hate sesame seeds on burger buns. These guys typically have to select each seed individually, which isn't an impossible chore but certainly isn't our idea of fun.
The Filet-O-Fish bun is the answer for these fussy folk. It’s soft, delicious, and beautifully browned, but best of all, it’s oh-so-smooth. So, if you’re not a sesame seed fan, simply ask for your choice of burger to be prepared on a Filet-O-Fish bun.
McDonald's Coffee Dessert
If there's one thing about TikTok that we adore, it’s the fact that it inspires average folks to come up with some bizarre ideas. This one relates to McDonald's, and it's a viral craze that's revolutionizing iced coffee. By blending McDonald's vanilla soft serve with their iced latte, they discovered a more practical and affordable variation of a frozen beverage.
This hack received international exposure through a TikTok post, leading to the replicated drink being named "McBassett." If the combination of coffee and ice cream seems familiar, you’re thinking of an affogato.
Combo Burger Value Meal
You've already seen some hidden menu items and more cost-effective hacks, but now it's time to mix them up. Simply order a double cheeseburger and a McChicken burger from the value menu; they are typically priced at around a dollar each.
Combine them to create a massive, belly-filling burger that will cost less than practically everything else on the menu. People who’ve tried this treat claim the combination has revolutionized their lives since it is so delicious. So try this combo the next time you go through the drive-through, and you can thank us later with the money you save.
Fries Can Be Dessert
Were you a “fries and ice cream” kid, or were you repulsed by the idea of dipping your fries into your sundae or soft-serve cone? We just didn't get it; it felt abhorrent to us. So what could be the benefit of combining a pile of salty fries with a deliciously sweet sundae? We were perplexed.
McDonald's Ice Cream and French Fries have always been famous. So, it is worth at least trying them together once. When you do, you’ll discover that the crispy, salty French fries perfectly balance the soft, sweet ice cream, almost like a cone you can dip into the dessert. We were surprised, to say the least!
McDonald's Ice Cream Sandwich
A summer meal without an ice cream sandwich wouldn't be the same. This is not included in the standard McDonald's menu, but if you want to try it, we have the ideal answer for you.
McDonald's reigns supreme in the field of dessert hacks. Simply order the Oreo McFlurry and two Chocolate Chip Cookies then spread some of the McFlurry on one cookie's flat side. Next, combine the second cookie with the first to make a unique ice cream sandwich.
Half-Priced McDonalds Hash Browns
The famous McDonald's hash brown can be pretty delicious, as everyone knows. However, one of these nasty boys is never enough, and McDonald’s is aware of that. Thankfully, the "Uplift Hash Brown" button on the cash register machine will reduce the price of one of these from its typical $1 price to only 50 cents.
Hash browns will cost 50 cents each when you purchase any meal and then press the button. Despite being aware of this, McDonald's employees are instructed to charge $1 unless the issue is raised. So, if money is tight, don’t be afraid to ask!
Free Hot Choco
The following hack was shared by a TikToker and was approved by McDonald's staff members. Simply request two or more chocolate sauce packs and a cup of hot water to receive a complimentary hot chocolate. Then, thoroughly combine the chocolate before adding it to the hot water. Congratulations – you’ve unlocked a free hot chocolate at McDonald's.
This is a handy hack, as McDonald's staff members noted in comments on the popular TikTok video that it's almost the same formula as the hot chocolate they offer!
Make Your Own Bubble Tea
It's nice to drink milk tea, especially boba milk tea, which comes with chewy tapioca balls. Although McDonald's has yet to tap into the boba tea craze, you can use what the fast food giant already offers to make a great milk tea without boba.
The milk tea can be prepared any way you like—simple or complex. Asking for sweet tea and creamer is the simplest variation. Simply order a cup of their sweet tea. Then request a little creamer to go with your drink. After combining the two ingredients, add your own tapioca balls, and you’re done!
Spice Up Your Fries
Although we adore McDonald's, we'll be the first to acknowledge that they don't frequently serve the decadent or healthy foods that many other restaurants do. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to improve your McDonald’s fare, and one of the best hacks lies in the sauce packets.
Fries can be transformed into Buffalo ranch fries by placing them in a bag, adding one serving of ranch dressing and another cup of hot Buffalo sauce, tossing the bag, and then emptying the well-covered fries onto a platter. Although it's not the most hygienic type of fries, flavor is flavor.
Can’t Choose One? Get Them All
This McDonald's hack is so easy that you'll wonder why you've never done it before. Other menu hacks are multi-step processes with improbable special demands. However, this one places all the work in the hands of McDonald’s staff.
Simply request combined chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla flavors to make a Neapolitan shake. Of course, it won't look anything like the beautifully layered Neapolitan ice cream you can have in a tub at the store; instead, it will appear more like a tub of melting Neapolitan ice cream. However, trust us when we say that the taste is sublime.
McDonalds Eat-on-the-Go Meals
McDonald's dinners can easily be converted into single-station, highly portable plates by using only the packaging the food comes in.
Simply open the cardboard burger box and insert the drink's straw through the connection point in the center of the two sides. Next, place your French fries on the opposite side of the open container. The drink's lid holds the entire thing up while your burger and fries are both conveniently accessible. The straw in your beverage is also easy to access because it sticks through the middle.
Want Better Service? Visit During Rush Hour
Everyone wants a hot, fresh burger every time they go to McDonald's. Simply stop by between the hours of 12 and 2 or 5 and 7, and be sure to request a receipt. At this point, McDonald's staff members are informed that random spot checks may occur to ensure freshness. On top of that, the rush generally means no fries or burgers are sitting in the food warmer for too long.
Just be warned: Inspectors most certainly don't have any level of consistency, so if you're a regular client coming at the same time each day, there's a strong possibility they'll figure you out.
A Perfect Oreo McFlurry
It tastes great to eat an Oreo McFlurry. The cookie chunks, the yummy fudge, the fluffy ice cream – what could be better? If you accept this logic, all three components together produce a dessert at least three times as tasty as any one item alone. So add fudge to your toppings and choose caramel for your Oreo McFlurry.
It is somewhat comparable to an Oreo McFlurry sandwich, except that the buns are made of caramel and fudge. Why end there? If you want to customize your McFlurry (Oreo or otherwise), all you have to do is ask for some cookies to make the ice cream sandwich we described earlier.
Win the Size Wars
If there is one thing on which we all agree, it is that McDonald's employs some cunning marketing techniques. For example, they use the decoy effect to subconsciously influence customers to purchase larger-sized beverages. To do this, McDonald's will price its medium drink closer to the large drink than the smaller one.
However, there is a workaround if you're dining with a friend. Purchase a larger drink and divide it into two smaller cups. You'll get your money’s worth that way!
Half Full Soda Float
Because McDonald's ice cream is so well-liked and so, well, delicious, it's a shock that we didn't ever think to try any tricks to transform the vanilla soft serve. Thankfully, there are some secret menu hacks you can use to upgrade it into various desserts.
You can make your own ice cream float by just getting a vanilla ice cream cone and a half-full soda of your choice. Add the ice cream to the drink, stir it gently, and then dig in. We know it seems like a no-brainer, but if that's the case, why haven't we done it before? It makes you think, right?
McFlurry Your Way to Tastier Fries
Anyone who has ever enjoyed a Mcdonald's drive-through understands how much fun it is to munch on french fries in the car. But, as you make your way home or wherever else you’re headed, the simplicity of the fries might grow boring.
A McFlurry lid will come in handy in this situation. Simply place one of those dipping sauce boxes you can ask for inside the McFlurry lid, which is strangely made to fit these sauce boxes precisely. Now you can dip fries while on the road.
Perfect Your McFlurry
One of the little things in life that’s nice to treat yourself to from time to time is the McFlurry. What, you ask, makes a perfect McFlurry? We have the answer for you! The ideal McFlurry has an excellent ice-cream-to-toppings ratio. We'll tell you that much. Sadly, that's not very common in the modern world. But there is a way to ensure the staff member gets your ratio right.
You can purchase extra toppings and pumps of fudge for 50 cents. So the next time you buy a McFlurry, keep that in mind.
Never Be Afraid to Request a Refill
We will show you two fantastic strategies to cut costs on McDonald's drinks. Yes, you're getting two tips for the price of one, which is already free. The first one relates to special McDonald's happy hours. During these times, all drinks are often served at a discounted rate. Find out when happy hour is at your local store, and you’re all set.
The second piece of advice relates to promotional drinks: after purchasing any hot beverage, simply ask the staff for a refill of a promotional drink. That will satisfy your thirst.
Play with Your Pancakes
A McDonald's crepe is slightly different, considering it's not on the menu. McDonald's doesn't offer the thin pancakes required for a truly authentic experience, which is the most noticeable distinction. However, the McCrepe has emerged as one of the most well-liked "hidden" breakfast menu items.
Order a yogurt parfait and some pancakes to put together on your own. Then, top the hotcake with the yogurt parfait and fold it like a crepe. From here, you may add anything from granola to bacon to syrup to ice cream to any other component on the McDonald's menu.
Handy French Fry Hack
What could be worse than having someone eat your French fries? Of course, when they fall into the to-go bag, they become fair game "pack fries" that your buddies can steal as you drive. Thankfully, a TikTok user demonstrated the most effective trick for preventing spillage of your fries.
Just fold the tallest portion of the fry container over and downward to seal the box and prevent further runaway fries. Now you won't have to stress about losing even a single fry, whether you're sharing a box or simply want to carry your leftovers home.
Cut That Drive-Thru Queue
The quickest way to do this is to genuinely decide what you want to eat before it's your turn to make your order, which will shorten the line. Of course, it's easier said than done, but picture a world where everyone could place an order without thinking about what they want to eat first.
It's close to a perfect society. You may, however, use a self-serving little trick to bypass the line by going inside and placing your purchase at the counter. Fewer people do this, so you’ll probably get your food quicker.
The Superior Burger
One of McDonald's largest "hidden menu" offerings is the "Land, Sea, and Air" burger. Beef, fish, and chicken are all included as ingredients in this burger. First, you place an order for a single Big Mac, Filet-O-Fish, and McChicken. Then, you assemble the Big Mac by placing the Filet-O-Fish and McChicken patties inside. Add as many buns as you’d like.
There you have it – a Land, Sea, and Air Burger! Doesn't that sound delectable? So, if a regular Big Mac doesn't quite satisfy your hunger, take a chance and order a Land, Sea, and Air Burger from McDonald's Secret Menu.
Mcdonald's for Brunch, Anyone?
One of McDonald's most hard-to-find "hidden menu" products is the "Mc10:35" brunch sandwich. Unfortunately, the Mc10:35 is only offered from 10:30 to 11:00 at most McDonald's as this is the limited window of time during which both breakfast and regular menu options are available.
The best items from both menus are combined in one combo burger and breakfast sandwich. So, in addition to a McDouble, get an Egg McMuffin. After that, simply add the two McDouble patties, cheese, and McMuffin filling to your preferred bun.
McNugget Salad
This may seem strange, but it is a surprisingly wonderful meal. You should try this small meal if you ever find yourself craving something wholesome and, dare we say, healthy, yet for whatever reason, you’re stuck at McDonald's.
Try placing an order for your salad of choice and a side of McNuggets. After that, mix and match a few additional ingredients until you have a complete salad. Who said salads have to be boring? As soon as you realize you can go off-menu, the sky's the limit at McDonald’s!
Make Your McMuffin More Egg-citing
Eggs were not designed to have angles, and there is no getting around that reality. Because of this, we comprehend entirely anyone who doesn't like McDonald's peculiar, squared eggs. On top of this, the ordinary squared eggs can taste a little stale towards closing time. So please request the unique round eggs they cook for the McMuffin in the morning.
Though it will require additional work, and the staff won’t always allow it, they will occasionally comply with your request. On those occasions, you'll enjoy a brand-new set of round eggs! Just don’t get mad if they say no.
McDonald’s Caesar Salad
You should look at this additional salad recipe that the online world created. Simply order two grilled chicken breasts and a Caesar on the side. After that, you can decide whether to cut the chicken into tiny chunks or just eat it with the salad.
When you start thinking outside the box, it's astounding how many meals you can have at McDonald's. Nevertheless, they're worth trying, even if not all of them are excellent.
Nasi Lemak Burger
A fried chicken thigh patty coated in cornflakes and infused with a spiced coconut sauce, along with a fried egg, caramelized onions, and cucumber slices, are all included in the nasi lemak burger, which was created as a nod to the traditional Malay cuisine of coconut rice. One of the fastest-selling McDonald's dishes, the Nasi Lemak burger is so good you simply must try it when you visit Singapore.
If it’s not on the menu, all you need to do is order a crispy chicken burger and request a special order of additional sambal. After that, you'll get everything you need to enjoy the fantastic Nasi Lemak burger.
The Perfect Burger Sauce Shield
Are you aware of how the extreme risk-reward ratio of a burger makes it both a delightful and terrifying sensation to consume? Of course, eating a delicious burger is rewarding, but there is also a risk because you may get burger sauce on your clothes anytime. So here's a tip to get rid of that worry.
You just need to empty the container holding your fries. Then, cram your burger into the fries box, ensuring that the container catches any burger sauce spills! After that, I'll give you a full belly and some fresh clothing!
Energizing Milkshakes
What's interesting about McDonald's milkshakes is they're so unbelievably tasty that we often just gulp them down. Why not make the most of your appetite by ordering a shot of espresso to go with your meal and then putting it in your McDonald's milkshake?
That way, you can gorge on your wonderful McDonald's milkshake whenever you want, but you'll always have caffeine available. In addition, the combination of coffee and ice cream is as old as time. Just ask the Italians who have a term for it: an affogato.