Here's How To Hack The McDonald's Menu For A Cheaper Big Mac

Most people know what they're getting even before they've decided to order from McDonald's. However, you may be missing out on some hefty ordering hacks by sticking to your staples. McDonald's hacks come in all shapes and sizes — some are smart upgrades, others quirky combinations, and some use a loophole to save a chunk of change. The Big Mac hack is from the third category, and per a former McDonald's chef Mike Haracz's TikTok video, it can save you about $2 on every burger. That's pretty significant, considering you could put those savings towards a hefty and delicious Costco pizza slice.

The hack requires you to skip ordering the Big Mac altogether. Instead, you'll turn to its close but cheaper counterparts. Both the McDouble as well as the classic Double Cheeseburger can be modified to near-Big Mac proportions, usually without any extra cost. Of course, whether your server chooses to make the customizations for you — and then charges you for them or lets it slide — depends on the employee and franchise you're ordering from. However, what's great about this hack is that it requires minimal customizations. This means that, in most cases, you'll walk away with a cheaper Big Mac.

The rules of individual franchises aside, as a fast food brand McDonald's routinely encourages customers to personalize their orders so they can have their favorite menu items just the way they like. Even the McDonald's app allows you to customize your order. If you use the McDonald's app, you can save these customizations and quickly order them whenever you want to satisfy Big Mac cravings on the cheap.

So, the next time you crave a Big Mac, get a McDouble instead. The only real difference between the two is that the former comes with Big Mac sauce and lettuce, while the latter has a mix of ketchup and mustard. Simply ask to switch out the sauces and add lettuce, and you'll have a burger that's pretty much a Big Mac. The most significant difference is that the customized McDouble will be missing the middle bun of the Big Mac. If you're keen on details, you may also notice that the sesame seeds on the bun are likely missing. If these are dealbreakers, you may be better off getting the Big Mac. If not, enjoy the savings!

Another route to a cheaper Big Mac is to order a Double Cheeseburger and, once again, switch out the ketchup and mustard for a dollop of the Big Mac sauce and some shredded lettuce. With this version of the hack, you'll also get a cheesier burger since the Double Cheeseburger has two slices of cheese as opposed to the Big Mac's single slice.