Pro Tip: Save Money By Never Ordering A Big Mac This Way From McDonald's

There are four types of conflicts in this life: man vs. man, man vs. nature, man vs. self, and man vs. McDonald's. Whether resisting temptation or resisting shrinkflation, striking a balance with paying a respectable amount for a McDonald's order and still lovin' it can require a delicate dance these days. McDonald's savings aren't exactly what they used to be.

Regardless of how much McDonald's makes off of its $5 meal deals, customers are always looking for ways to save a dollar in the days of the dollar-menu with no dollar items. Eating at McDonald's used to be its own cheap food "hack," or pro tip. These days, ordering up not-so-secret menu items and finding McDonald's hacks has inspired its own corner of the internet. One recent pro tip might even save a buck or two, depending on which McDonald's you try it at.

So what exactly is the hack? Easy. Want a Big Mac? Then don't order a Big Mac. No, this isn't overt diet advice, but rather, a crafty savings trick suggested by a former McDonald's research and development chef.

Chef Mike Haracz, known on social media as "Chef Mike," once worked in McDonald's corporate kitchens, inventing and testing recipes as a manager of culinary innovation. He even helped develop the McDonald's cult classic Buttermilk Crispy Tenders in 2017. Haracz clearly knows his oats (and Filets O' Fish) when it comes to McDonald's menu items, building a social media super-following out of his McDonald's menu tips and recommendations.

As for the Big Mac, Haracz has a trick for hungry McDonald's fans on a budget. In a TikTok post, Haracz tells fans that they should skip ordering the hefty, bready Big Mac in favor of a cheaper taste-alike: the McDouble ordered like a Big Mac. A Big Mac comes with a three-element bun, lettuce, onions, one slice of cheese, and the holy grail of McDonald's burger condiments, Big Mac sauce. A McDouble, meanwhile, is dressed in ketchup, mustard, onions, and also has one slice of cheese and a normal bun.

By ordering a McDouble, Big Mac style, you swap out the sauces for Big Mac sauce, add lettuce, and cut out an extra slice of bread — as well as some cheddar when it comes to the bill. According to Haracz, ~$2. Be warned, though: This order can only be managed in person. Haracz says to seek out friendly franchisees in your area. If one store won't honor this hack without some upcharges for a custom order, chances are, another McDonald's will.

Of course, if hungry deal-hunters want to do "Chef Mike" Haracz's Big Mac suggestion to save a buck or two one or two turns better, we have a couple of ideas. Great Value, Walmart's store brand, famously makes a "Secret Sauce" for burgers and fries that tastes suspiciously like Big Mac sauce. Why just enjoy this sauce for homemade burgers?

Grab a squeeze bottle of this "secret" sauce next time you head to the drive-through, and squeeze it on an even cheaper McDonald's cheeseburger. Just do what frugal shoppers do and check out the unit pricing on the Great Value price tag and start calculating your own savings.

Those frugal fast-food shoppers with some kitchen skills could stand to save even more pennies by making their own copycat Big Mac sauce at home. Recipes for homemade dupes of the condiment are about as plentiful online as Haracz's McDonald's hacks videos. Making a few batches for cheaper at-home toppings for takeout burgers may make for some tasty research and development of your own.