The Big Mac is celebrating its 50th birthday in the best way possible: Free burgers!
Most fast food chains have their “thing.” Chick-Fil-A has their original chicken sandwich, Burger King has the Whopper and Wendy’s with their infamous Frosty. But none come close to the grandiose 50-year history behind the McDonald’s Big Mac. So it only makes sense that on the famous burger’s 50th birthday celebration McDonald’s will be handing them out for free.
Unlike some fast-food freebies, this free Big Mac must be purchased with a MacCoin. Yes, you read that right, with McDonald’s money. Since some people refer to Big Macs in terms of currency (i.e. “that new set of dishware costs the same as X Big Macs”), McDonald’s decided to actually make a currency of their own. The worth of a Big Mac coin is, you guessed it, the price of a Big Mac.
Now obviously you can’t just go to the bank and get Big Mac coins. In order to obtain a coin, you must go to McDonald’s and buy a Big Mac first. So technically the deal is a buy-one-get-one Big Mac, with a little twist. After purchasing that initial Big Mac, you will be handed a MacCoin.
This birthday deal will officially roll out starting at lunchtime on August 2, but there’s a huge catch.
Missed the birthday deal? Don’t sweat it, the BOGO Big Mac deal allows you to pick up a free Big Mac just before Christmas.
There’s only a limited supply
Thankfully 14,000 McDonald’s locations around the United States are participating in the MacCoin exchange, but that doesn’t mean you are guaranteed to get a coin. McDonald’s plans to only distribute 6.2 million of them! That may seem like a big number, but that’s still smaller than the current population of New York City. So you may want to plan lunch out on Thursday, August 2.
Multiple countries are participating
The United States isn’t the only country handing out MacCoins; more than 50 other countries will be joining as well! The coins will feature seven different languages to represent the participating countries: Arabic, English, Indonesian, Mandarin, Portuguese, French and Spanish.
The coins have five different designs
Along with the seven featured languages, the coins actually come with five different designs. The designs represent a different decade that the Big Mac experienced in its 50 years of existence. The designs focus on popular concepts from each decade including flower power for the ’70s, pop art for the ’80s, abstract shapes for the ’90s, technology for the ’00s, and the ’10s focus on the evolution of communication (hello, social media).
Now if you get one of these beautifully designed MacCoins, there’s a dilemma you will probably face: To keep, or not to keep, the MacCoin? In another 50 years, the MacCoin may be a vintage commodity, especially if you collect all five designs. Sure you could get a free burger, but coin collectors may sacrifice the delicious lure of free lunch by keeping their MacCoins instead. Either way, you’re gonna want to get in line at McDonald’s this Thursday.
Decided to keep the coin? These recipes will satisfy that fast food craving!
22 Copycat McDonald’s Recipes
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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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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 Home Test Kitchen
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Inspired By: Chicken McNuggetsI 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
Inspired By: McDonald's French FriesIt'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
Inspired By: Egg McMuffinOn 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
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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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 Home Test Kitchen
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Inspired By: Quarter Pounder with CheeseThis McDonald's copycat recipe is a terrific taste of summer served with tall glasses of lemonade or cola. —Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia
Inspired By: Bacon, Egg & Cheese BiscuitI 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
Inspired By: Honey Mustard SauceThis 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
Inspire By: McChickenAfter 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
Inspired By: McCafe Strawberry ShakeCool 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.
Inspired By: HotcakesI 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
Inspired By: Chicken SelectsI 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
Inspired By: Tangy Barbecue SauceI'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
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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Inspired By: McRibPerfect 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
Inspired By: Fruit & Maple OatmealI 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
Inspired By: Filet-O-FishThe 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
Inspired By: Tartar SauceYou'll never buy the jarred stuff again once you've tried this homemade tartar sauce recipe! —Michelle Stromko, Darlington, Maryland
Inspired By: Spicy Chicken McNuggetsWe 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
Inspired By: Sausage BurritoThis is a great kid-friendly recipe that takes only 20 minutes to prepare and cook. —Sharon Haswell, Cheshire, Massachusetts
Inspired By: Sweet BBQ Bacon BurgerEvery 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
Inspired By: Fruit 'N Yogurt ParfaitThe 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
Inspired By: Fish McBitesMy 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
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 Home Test Kitchen
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Updated: Dec. 15, 2022
