McDonald's has officially launched a mischievous new limited-edition meal in the United States, bringing a festive flavour to its holiday lineup. The Grinch Meal became available across the country on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, marking the first time the offering has hit US menus.
What's Inside the Festive Feast?
The centrepiece of the new meal is the introduction of Dill Pickle "Grinch Salt" McShaker Fries, a menu item previously unavailable to American customers. The fries come with a separate packet of dill pickle seasoning, allowing diners to control the sour, tangy flavour to their liking.
Each Grinch Meal includes a choice of either a Big Mac or a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, alongside the special fries and a medium drink. The festive twist comes with a pair of co-branded Grinch and McDonald's socks, available in red, green, blue, or yellow. McDonald's confirmed that one selected pair is included per meal. Prices for the bundle will vary by location.
A Fan-Favourite Concept Crosses the Pond
This stateside launch follows successful runs of the Grinch Meal in both Canada and Australia last year, which likely prompted its expansion. The announcement has generated significant excitement online, particularly around the long-awaited arrival of McShaker Fries in the US.
Alyssa Buetikofer, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer for McDonald's USA, stated: "The Grinch gets it–the holidays are chaotic, and he’s thrilled to give our fandom permission to embrace their inner Grinch with his festive mischievous meal and spirited socks."
Social Media Buzz and Broader Holiday Strategy
Reaction on social media platform X was swift and enthusiastic. One user exclaimed, "Wait… you are actually bringing Shaker fries to the states?!!!!" while another celebrated, "I’ve been asking for McShaker Fries for over a decade." Others were eager to secure the themed merchandise, with one fan asking about the "green Grinch socks."
The Grinch Meal is part of a wider holiday push from the fast-food giant. It follows the recent return of the annual Holiday Pie, a custard-filled dessert first added to menus in 1999. This festive menu expansion comes after the chain noted a sales boost from the re-release of the McDonald's Snack Wrap in November.
McDonald's has also been leveraging other promotions to attract customers, including a temporary $8 Big Mac meal and a $5 Sausage McMuffin meal on its Extra Value Menu. The popular Monopoly game also returned on 6 October, running through the start of November, allowing app users to win prizes.
