Over the years, McDonald’s has released limited-edition creations—some tied to holidays, others driven by experimental thought—that added unexpected variety to the menu. A handful stood out for all the right reasons. Here are 20 of the most unforgettable items McD has ever released.
McLobster
Lobster on a fast-food menu? Yes, for a few lucky regions in New England and Canada. This chilled seafood sandwich came with lightly dressed lobster meat snuggled in a split-top roll. It didn’t appear often, but when it did, the buzz made it one of McDonald’s most memorable seasonal surprises.
Cajun Bacon Ranch Sandwich
Spice and smoke come together in this sandwich, featuring crispy chicken, Cajun ranch, and bacon. Available briefly in the US, it offered Southern-inspired flavors in a fast-food format. A burst of creamy heat paired with crispy chicken on a toasted bun made it stand out, though only briefly.
Kiwiburger
Beetroot and an egg don’t usually share a bun with a beef patty unless you’re in New Zealand. This item was created to reflect traditional Kiwi-style burgers, which first launched in 1991 and made several comebacks. Its daring, nostalgic ingredient mix kept it rooted firmly in local menus, never meant for global expansion.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Fall meant something new at McCafe. Pumpkin spice, warm foam, creamy espresso, and a swirl of cozy flavor in a cup. McD entered the seasonal drink scene with its own version of the autumn classic. Only available in select locations, this limited-time item brought PSL lovers a fresh excuse to savor the return of cooler days.
Cheesy Garlic Bread Dippers
Offered for a short period in the UK, these warm, garlic-seasoned breadsticks came stuffed with melted mozzarella and paired with a tomato dip. Not your typical fast-food side, they leaned more toward the cafe than the drive-thru. When they vanished, fans quickly voiced their disappointment across social media.
Szechuan Sauce
A Disney promo in 1998 gave birth to this tangy, spicy sauce tied to the release of Mulan. Years later, a reference to Rick and Morty turned it into an internet legend. McDonald’s brought it back briefly. Soon, a dipping frenzy followed, with online auctions and long lines trailing close behind. Some still hope it makes another return.
Shamrock Shake Chocolate Variant
Mint meets chocolate in this twist on a holiday staple. Instead of just minty green soft serve, this version added rich chocolate syrup at the bottom or swirled through. Not every location had it, but those who did remember it as a sweet remix of a St. Patrick’s Day icon.
Stroopwafel McFlurry
Crumbled Dutch cookies mixed into creamy vanilla ice cream added a chewy caramel twist to this McFlurry. Initially sold in the Netherlands, it appeared in the US during McD’s “Worldwide Favorites” campaign. Its distinct texture and spiced sweetness made it stand out, prompting determined searches for venues lucky enough to carry it.
Taro Pie
Purple on the inside and golden on the outside, this dessert turned heads across Asia. Wrapped in a crunchy shell and filled with mellow taro paste, it was a refreshing change from the usual apple pie. Some US outlets, such as those in Hawaii, have even featured it during select promotional periods.
2x Philly Cheese Stack
This UK exclusive borrowed a big flavor from Philadelphia. Grilled onions mixed into a drizzled cheese sauce over double beef patties to build a substantial and rich sandwich. Part of a limited-time “Tastes of America” series, it offered a fast-food nod to East Coast comfort food, minus the roll—but with plenty of punch.
McCafe Peppermint Mocha
Holiday menus introduced this cozy favorite to McDonald’s locations, offering full McCafe service. Steamed milk fused with peppermint syrup and chocolate, then topped off with whipped cream and a decadent drizzle to create a festive winter favorite. It gave customers a festive cup without requiring a visit to a specialty coffee shop.
McRib
That signature oblong bun wrapped around pressed pork and a bold barbecue glaze—it’s the sandwich people still track with countdowns. Introduced in 1981 and pulled from menus more than once, it returns irregularly. Every re-release draws long lines and nostalgia, making it one of McD’s most recognizable limited-edition creations.
Seoul Spicy Chicken
Heat meets crisp in this Korean-inspired sandwich, which was rolled out in markets such as Singapore and Malaysia. The crispy chicken was paired with sweet-spicy gochujang-style sauce and slaw on a soft bun. The flavor combo landed well with spice fans and hinted at what global menus could pull off.
Skittles McFlurry
Chewy candy inside ice cream? That was the idea behind this limited-edition McFlurry sold in countries like Australia. Vanilla soft serve collided with colorful bits of Skittles, creating a sugary mix that sparked curiosity and debate. Texture aside, it offered something no other McFlurry had: fruit-flavored crunch.
Double Big Mac
Twice the beef, same stacked format. This towering version of the Big Mac featured four patties stacked between the familiar triple-bun structure. After earlier international runs, it briefly appeared on US menus in 2020. It was the kind of excess worth queuing for Big Mac loyalists.
White Chocolate Mocha
McCafe’s take on this sweet winter drink combines white chocolate syrup with steamed milk and a single shot of espresso. Topped with whipped cream, it offered a mellow break from the darker roasts. Customers found it in a few locations during the winter, often next to the more famous Peppermint Mocha.
Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry
This indulgent dessert combines vanilla soft serve with gooey Cadbury Creme Egg filling and chocolate shards. It is available in the UK around Easter. Sticky and wildly popular, it modified a beloved holiday candy into something scoopable. Many still recognize it as one of McD’s highly favored holiday items.
Twister Fries
Seasoned spirals replaced the usual straight-cut fries during select promotions across Asia. Known for their crunch and playful shape, they appeared in places like the Philippines and Singapore. Limited runs often caused long queues, proving that when familiar sides get a twist—literally—fans are more than ready to show up.
Gilroy Garlic Fries
Northern California got something special—fries tossed in fresh minced garlic, parsley, and olive oil from nearby Gilroy, the state’s garlic capital. This short-lived experiment gave McD’s sides an artisan edge. The smell turned heads, and the drive-thru smelled like a roadside trattoria for a while.
Chilli Cheese Bites
Seasonal menus in the UK and Ireland featured these golden, gooey snacks: crisp on the outside, filled with cheese, and just enough chili heat. They were sold in small packs with dipping sauce, and their availability fluctuated with holiday promotions. Fans still check menus, hoping they’ll return for another round.
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