The fast-food giant McDonald's has officially pulled back the curtain on a selection of meals that have long been whispered about among its most devoted customers. For years, fans across the UK and Ireland have been customising their orders, creating unique mash-ups that have now been given the official stamp of approval. This January, McDonald's is turning these underground favourites into a nationwide, limited-time offering.
From Social Media to the Main Menu
From Monday, 5th January 2026, customers will be able to order from the new 'Secret Menu'. The initiative celebrates the creativity of McDonald's patrons, whose DIY combinations have often gone viral on social media. 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". He described the items as sometimes surprising combinations that "are weirdly good and need to be tried to be believed".
What's on the Secret Menu?
The limited-time lineup features several bold creations that blend classic menu items. Here are the key offerings that will be available:
The Surf N’ Turf is a novel combination priced at £4.39 (or £6.89 for a medium meal). It layers two British and Irish beef patties with cheese, onions, pickles, mustard, and ketchup, and adds a crispy Alaskan Pollock fish filet patty for a true beef-and-fish duo.
The Chicken Cheeseburger, costing £3.89 (£6.39 as a medium meal), is described as the "ultimate mash-up". It pairs a 100% beef patty with a crispy chicken patty, cheese, onions, mustard, and ketchup in one bun.
The Chicken Big Mac returns by popular demand at £5.59 (£7.39 meal). It replaces the beef patties of a classic Big Mac with two chicken patties, while keeping the lettuce, pickles, cheese, and iconic sauce.
For those who love the signature taste, Big Mac Sauce will be available as a separate dip for 20p, perfect for fries or McNuggets.
The Espresso Milkshake (£3.69) offers a DIY experience, served as a thick vanilla milkshake alongside a shot of rich espresso for customers to mix themselves.
For dessert, the Apple Pie Mini McFlurry (£2.99) combines soft dairy ice cream swirled with caramel sauce with a warm Apple Pie on the side for dipping.
A Celebration of Customer Creativity
This move by McDonald's UK & Ireland is a direct nod to its engaged customer base. The company acknowledges that these creations have been ordered "for years" by fans in the know. By launching this official Secret Menu, even if only for a limited period, McDonald's is leveraging a powerful marketing tool that taps into a sense of community and insider knowledge. It transforms customer-led innovation into a major nationwide promotional campaign, creating buzz and encouraging trial of these unconventional combinations.
