What’s New on the McDonald’s Menu in 2026 (Best Updates So Far)
What’s New on the McDonald’s Menu in 2026 (Best Updates So Far)
McDonald’s menu updates in 2026 are heavily focused on bigger, bolder limited-time items, nostalgia-driven promotions, and new flavors that can be layered onto fan favorites. If you’ve been wondering what’s new in 2026. And which changes are actually worth trying. This artilce breaks it down in a simple, practical way.
1) The Big Arch Burger (A “bigger than a Big Mac” moment)
One of the biggest headlines for 2026 is the Big Arch Burger, a large-format burger that has been widely discussed as a major U.S. rollout item. For many fast food fans, this is the most exciting McDonald’s menu change because it signals McDonald’s leaning into “premium” burger builds again—bigger patties, more cheese, and a distinct signature sauce.
2) Hot Honey Flavor Add-Ons (Sweet heat is officially mainstream)
Hot honey has been trending across fast food, and 2026 is the year McDonald’s is expected to push deeper into sweet-heat options. The appeal is simple: it changes how familiar items taste without requiring a totally new product line. For customers, it’s one of the most “try-it-now” changes because it’s designed to work with popular chicken items and wraps.
3) Seasonal + Collab Drops (Pokémon + Shamrock season returns)
McDonald’s continues to use seasonal releases and brand partnerships as major traffic drivers in 2026. That includes a Pokémon collaboration tied to Happy Meals and the annual return of Shamrock season items, which remain some of the most searched and anticipated limited-time products each year.
4) The Viral “McNugget Caviar” Promo (Yes, it’s real)
For early 2026, McDonald’s also ran a high-profile novelty promotion involving “McNugget Caviar” kits in partnership with Paramount Caviar. It’s more of a marketing stunt than a permanent menu item, but it shows how aggressively McDonald’s is chasing social buzz and “limited drop” culture this year.
Best Changes (Quick Take)
- Most exciting “new burger” energy: Big Arch Burger.
- Most likely to improve everyday ordering: Hot honey flavors (because they layer onto existing favorites).
- Most fun / seasonal: Pokémon promo + Shamrock season.
- Most viral: McNugget Caviar promotion.
Important note about availability: McDonald’s menu items, promos, and pricing can vary by country, region, and franchise location. Always check the McDonald’s app or your local restaurant for the most accurate availability and current prices.
McDonald’s Menu With Prices (Typical U.S. Prices)
Pricing disclaimer: The prices below are typical examples and can vary significantly by location, taxes, and franchise pricing. If a specific item is not priced below, it usually means pricing varies too widely to list one “standard” number—check your local menu in the McDonald’s app for exact pricing.
Featured & Popular Items
| Item | Typical Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Big Mac (Combo) | $10.19 |
| Quarter Pounder with Cheese (Combo) | $10.69 |
| Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese (Combo) | $11.19 |
| McCrispy | $4.99 |
| McCrispy (Combo) | $8.79 |
| Spicy McCrispy | $4.99 |
| Spicy McCrispy (Combo) | $8.99 |
| Deluxe McCrispy | $5.79 |
| Deluxe McCrispy (Combo) | $9.49 |
| Deluxe Spicy McCrispy | $6.29 |
| Deluxe Spicy McCrispy (Combo) | $9.69 |
| McChicken | $3.59 |
| Hot ’N Spicy McChicken | $3.59 |
Breakfast (Common Core Menu)
- Egg McMuffin (price varies by location)
- Sausage McMuffin (price varies by location)
- Sausage McMuffin with Egg (price varies by location)
- Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit (price varies by location)
- Sausage Biscuit (price varies by location)
- Hotcakes (price varies by location)
- Hotcakes & Sausage (price varies by location)
- Hash Browns (price varies by location)
- Breakfast Burrito (price varies by location)
- Oatmeal (price varies by location)
Burgers & Sandwiches (Common Core Menu)
- Hamburger (price varies by location)
- Cheeseburger (price varies by location)
- Double Cheeseburger (price varies by location)
- Big Mac (price varies by location)
- Quarter Pounder with Cheese (price varies by location)
- Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese (price varies by location)
- Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese (price varies by location)
- Filet-O-Fish (price varies by location)
- McDouble (price varies by location)
Chicken & Nuggets (Common Core Menu)
- Chicken McNuggets (4 pc / 6 pc / 10 pc / 20 pc) (price varies by location)
- McCrispy (priced above)
- Spicy McCrispy (priced above)
- Deluxe McCrispy (priced above)
- Deluxe Spicy McCrispy (priced above)
- McChicken (priced above)
- Hot ’N Spicy McChicken (priced above)
Sides
- World Famous Fries (Small / Medium / Large) (price varies by location)
- Apple Slices (price varies by location)
Desserts & Sweet Treats
| Item | Typical Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Apple Pie | $2.29 |
| 2 Apple Pies | $3.19 |
| 1 Cookie | $1.99 |
| 2 Cookies | $2.79 |
| 3 Cookies | $3.49 |
| 13 Cookie Tote | $12.59 |
| Hot Fudge Sundae | $3.99 |
| Caramel Sundae | $3.99 |
| OREO McFlurry | (price varies by location) |
| M&M’s McFlurry | (price varies by location) |
Frozen Beverages
| Item | Size | Typical Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen Coca-Cola | Small | $2.39 |
| Frozen Coca-Cola | Medium | $2.79 |
| Frozen Coca-Cola | Large | $3.39 |
Condiments & Dipping Sauces (Examples)
Many sauces are included or priced very low depending on the order and location. Example pricing:
- Creamy Ranch Sauce: $0.29
- Honey Mustard: $0.29
- Sweet N’ Sour Sauce: $0.29
- Tangy BBQ Sauce: $0.29
- Spicy Buffalo: $0.29
Want the “Most Accurate” Menu for Your Area?
For exact item availability and local pricing, the most reliable option is the McDonald’s app or your local restaurant menu. Prices can differ by city, state, and franchise operator—even within the same metro area.
