22 McDonald’s Copycat Recipes So You Can Skip the Drive-Through

McDonald’s cheeseburger

A crispy coating mix is the secret ingredient that dresses up these burgers you bake in the oven instead of grill or fry. I like to use a sweet and spicy steak sauce for the best flavor. —Mike Goldman, Arden Hills, Minnesota

Do you know what the only U.S. state capital without a McDonald’s is?

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McDonald’s french fries

An even tastier way to eat fries! The addition of Parmesan and garlic makes this side dish simply irresistible. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Don’t miss why McDonald’s fries are so addictive.

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Shamrock shake

Save a sleeve of Girl Scout cookies for this creamy milkshake that’s fun for kids and adults, too. —Shauna Sever, San Francisco, California

This is the real reason the McDonald’s logo is yellow and red.

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Chicken McNuggets

My 3-year-old is going through a stage where he’ll eat only chicken nuggets and French fries. I like to make these golden nuggets for him so I know what he’s eating. They’re so good, we like them, too! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama (You’ll want to check out the fastest drive-thru chain in America.)

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Quarter pounder with cheese

Go on a burger road trip in your own backyard. Grill the patties and load them sky-high. Peanut butter and bacon make them Southern style; coleslaw and tomatoes, a Northern version. —Susan Mahaney, New Hartford, New York

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Bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit

I turned classic breakfast sandwiches into something heartier you could have for dinner, too. We pile toppings like salsa, avocado—even mayo and ketchup—onto my homemade biscuits. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas

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Honey mustard sauce

This fast, easy mustard with rice vinegar and honey has more flavor than any other honey-mustard dressing I have ever tried. —Sharon Rehm, New Blaine, Arkansas

These 9 countries have actually banned McDonald’s.

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Pico guacamole with artisan grilled chicken sandwich

Because I thought of it myself and it’s such a great sandwich—everyone I’ve shared the recipe with just loves it and they make it over and over again. You can use any type of bread or roll for this sandwich—we like the ciabatta but have used other breads and rolls—whatever I might have handy. You can also pan fry the chicken if you can’t get to a grill.

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McCafe strawberry shake

Cool off with a thick and rich treat that will remind you of a malt shoppe! —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This is the most expensive McDonald’s in the world, by the way.

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Hotcakes

I found this fluffy 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

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Chicken selects

These strips are designed for kids, but tasty enough for company. The tender strips are moist and juicy and would also be great on a salad. —Becky Oliver, Fairplay, Colorado

Don’t miss the scandalous theory behind the golden arches.

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Tangy barbeque 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

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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

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McRib

Perfect for a weekday dinner or cozy weekend meal, this recipe makes fall-off-the-bone tender meat with delicious flavor. —Margaret Luchsinger, Jupiter, Florida

This is the surprising reason one McDonald’s uses turquoise arches.

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Southwest grilled chicken salad

This knockout shredded pork makes a healthy, delicious and hearty salad with black beans, corn, cotija cheese and plenty of fresh greens. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma

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Fruit and maple oatmeal

I tasted muesli on a trip to Switzerland, and when I came home, I made it my way. Keep things interesting (and avoid the mid-morning munchies) by adding different fruits and nuts every day. —Maddie Kirk, Springfield, Pennsylvania

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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

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Tartar sauce

Here’s a traditional sauce worth making from scratch. It makes the meal feel very special, and guests are always impressed. You might never buy the bottled stuff ever again. —Roger Slivon, Genesee Depot, Wisconsin

This is why McDonald’s coke tastes better than anywhere else.

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Sausage burrito

This is a great kid-friendly recipe that takes only 20 minutes to prepare and cook.—Sharon Haswell, Cheshire, Massachusetts

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Sweet BBQ bacon burger

Every family has a burger of choice, and this is ours. It’s stacked tall with bacon and crunchy onion rings. —Paula Homer, Nampa, Idaho

Don’t miss these things McDonald’s employees won’t tell you.

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Fruit and yogurt parfait

The best time for this dessert is mid-summer, when the blueberries are thick in our northern woods. Red raspberries can be added to the mixed berries, too, to brighten up the patriotic colors.—Anne Theriault, Wellesley, Massachusetts

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Fish McBites

My husband and I love fresh, fried fish, but we’re both trying to cut back on fats. I made up this recipe and it was a huge hit. He tells me that he likes it as much as deep-fried fish, and that’s saying a lot! —LaDonna Reed, Ponca City, Oklahoma

Get the Taste of Home recipe here.

Next, check out these mind-blowing facts about McDonald’s.