McSubstitute! McDonald's Chef reveals the best everyday items to mimic the famous fast-food's chain menu staples

A former corporate McDonald's chef is spilling the tea on how to mimic the popular chains' menu items.

Mike Haracz, who goes by @chefmikeharacz on TikTok, has posted at least 19 videos about the best McDonald's mimics between 2023 and 2024. Haracz has talked about a variety of items and ingredients like French fries, the Big Mac sauce, chicken nuggets, English muffins, and McGriddles.

McDonald's French fries is one of the restaurant chain's longtime products that has satisfied the cravings of billions of people worldwide.

The chef, who has more than 300,000 followers on TikTok, even has a video of the Big Mac Sauce recipe that's has nearly 4 million views.

All 19 of his mimics have been praised by TikTokers, but the five items below are common menu items that have been become some of the most famous dishes at the fast-food joint. 

Mike Haracz, who goes by @chefmikeharacz on TikTok, has posted at least 19 videos about the best McDonald's mimics between 2023 and 2024

Haracz was a former corporate McDonald's chef and revealed in a previous video that customers should avoid visiting the fast-food restaurant before 10.30am

French Fries

According to News Nation, McDonald's fries are one of the best-selling menu items as restaurants make around 9 million pounds of fries every day.

French fry lovers who are not looking to purchase any more McDonald's Fries can substitute it with a grocery store product.

McDonald's French fries is one of the restaurant chain's longtime products that has satisfied the cravings of billions of people worldwide

The former McDonald's corporate chef revealed that a bag of Thin Cut French Fried Potatoes from Walmart is the best substitute for the restaurant chain's fries

The former McDonald's chef's product suggestion? A bag of Thin Cut French Fried Potatoes from Walmart.

'I looked at the McDonald's website at their ingredients statement, I looked at their ingredients statement, and they are almost identical,' he stated.

Anyone who's hoping to test this product out for themselves can thankfully snag a 26oz bag from Walmart for less than $3.00. 

Haracz made it clear in his 2023 video that consumers need to 'worry about the process' in which the fries are cooked.

'That's the only way you're gonna get them to taste like McDonald's French fries,' he revealed.

Chicken Nuggets

Haracz explained in a video he posted on December 21, 2023, that he read the ingredients statements and looked at product labels with great difficulty

The chef emphasized that the tempura flavor was the one to get and the best product is Pilgrims Tempura Chicken McNuggets

The chicken nuggets are also a popular option but it's even more difficult than the French fries cooking and product-choosing process.

Haracz explained in a video he posted on December 21, 2023, that he read the ingredients statements and looked at product labels with great difficulty.

'Because it's apparent that McDonald's likes to combine their ingredients statement, so the different components are combined into one,' he stated.

'You'll see that it's broken down into chicken batter and all these other things... So it makes it a little trickier to find the McDonald's type Chicken Nuggets.'

However, Haracz managed to find that product - Pilgrims Tempura Chicken McNuggets.

But he stressed not to use a microwave to cook them. Instead use a deep fryer to mimic the McDonald's taste. 

Big Mac Sauce

The TikToker analyzed the Big Mac Sauce ingredients and found that the best store-bought product to mimic it was from Walmart

In a clip posted to TikTok, the chef revealed that the grocery chain sells a similar product called Great Value Secret Sauce, which retails for $2.28

The McDonald's classic Big Mac cannot be complete without the burger's signature sauce.

Haracz's video that contains his Big Mac sauce recipe is popular, but there is a secret to getting the classic ingredient at the store .The TikToker analyzed the Big Mac Sauce ingredients and found that the best store-bought product to mimic it was from Walmart.

According to the former McDonald's chef, Great Value Secret Sauce has 'a little more sweetness' that could have to do with 'water activity and food preservations.'

Sauce lovers can try it out for themselves by purchasing as 12oz bottle of the Great Value Secret Sauce for $2.28. 

English Muffin

Haracz revealed in his video that he did the English muffin research after he was requested to do so from a professor at Penn State University

The product he came up with right away was not a store brand and was actually used as McDonald's 'first English muffin prototype'

McDonald's customers can snag sandwiches with English muffins for breakfast or as an afternoon snack.

Haracz revealed in his video that he did the mimic English muffin research after he was requested to do so from a professor at Penn State University.

The product he came up with right away was not a store brand and was actually used as McDonald's 'first English muffin prototype.' 

Bays English Muffins is the product to buy, according to the former McDonald's chef.

In order to get that McDonald's English muffin taste, one must cook them in a broiler setting in an oven, he suggests. 

McGriddle 

Haracz managed to share what he said is 'a pretty good version' of the McGriddle in a video he posted last January.

All one has to do in order to get those McDonald's griddle cakes at home is to take that product and heat it up in the microwave

Last but not least, the former McDonald's chef shared the secret on where to buy a McGriddle - more specifically the pancakes the make up the faux-bun. 

The McGriddle is a longtime McDonald's breakfast sandwich that includes a maple-flavored bun.

It took him awhile but Haracz managed to share what he said is 'a pretty good version' of the McGriddle in a video he posted last January.

Haracz first bought multiple products that his viewers suggested he get to find the comp.  Interestingly enough, the TikToker admitted that he liked all of the products better than the McGriddle.

The product  he believes is the best to replace maple-flavored griddle cakes is Trader Joe's Dutch Griddle Cakes.

'Apparently, people have already been making a McDonald's McGriddle with these here,' he said.