The fast-food giant McDonald's has decided to let the cat out of the bag, officially launching a special 'Secret Menu' across the UK and Ireland. This move brings a series of popular customer hacks and custom orders, which have been shared for years on social media, into the mainstream for a limited time.
From Unofficial Hacks to Official Menu Items
For years, dedicated fans of the golden arches have been creatively combining menu items to craft their own unique meals. From Monday, 5th January 2026, these underground creations are getting official recognition. Ben Fox, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for McDonald's UK & Ireland, stated the company is "really happy to now make The Secret Menu official," celebrating the creativity seen daily from customers online.
The chain emphasises that this is a limited-time lineup, urging customers to try the bizarre-sounding combinations before they vanish. "Some of these mash ups shouldn't work, but they are weirdly good and need to be tried to be believed," Fox added.
What's on the Secret Menu?
The new offerings provide twists on classic favourites, covering burgers, dips, drinks, and desserts. Here are the key items making their official debut:
The Surf N' Turf (£4.39 / £6.89 for a Medium Meal): This burger breaks new ground by combining beef and fish. It features two 100% British & Irish beef patties with cheese, onions, pickles, mustard, and ketchup, topped with a crispy MSC-certified Alaskan Pollock fish filet.
The Chicken Cheeseburger (£3.89 / £6.39 for a Medium Meal): Dubbed the "ultimate mash-up," this burger pairs a 100% British & Irish beef patty with a crispy chicken patty, cheese, onions, mustard, and ketchup.
The Chicken Big Mac (£5.59 / £7.39 for a Medium Meal): Returning by popular demand, this item replaces the beef patties in a Big Mac with two chicken patties, while keeping the cheese, lettuce, pickles, and iconic Big Mac sauce.
Big Mac Sauce Dip (20p): For those who want the famous flavour without the burger, the rich and creamy Big Mac sauce is now available as a separate dip for fries or McNuggets.
The Espresso Milkshake (£3.69): A DIY-style drink where customers are given a thick vanilla milkshake and a shot of rich espresso separately to mix together as they please.
The Apple Pie Mini McFlurry (£2.99): This dessert combo serves soft dairy ice cream swirled with caramel sauce alongside a warm Apple Pie, ready for dipping.
A Celebration of Customer Creativity
This initiative marks a significant shift for the brand, formally acknowledging the role its customers play in shaping menu trends. By turning these well-known "hacks" into official, nationwide offerings, McDonald's is tapping directly into the existing buzz and loyalty of its fan base.
The launch underscores how social media has become a key driver for food innovation, even for global chains. Whether the bizarre-sounding Surf N' Turf or the comforting Apple Pie McFlurry becomes a permanent fixture remains to be seen, but for now, the secret is well and truly out.
