The Grinch may have stolen Christmas in the past, but this year, he also showed up to steal the spotlight at McDonald’s, all thanks to the Grinch Meal. ICYMI, this is a $12.29 limited-edition Grinch Meal, which includes fires, a special seasoning packet, a choice between a Big Mac or a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, a medium drink, and even a pair of holiday socks with a note from the Grinch written on them. Altogether, it’s a fun, festive meal deal (which Mickey D’s has become known for), but there’s one true standout that has fans going wild: the Grinch McShaker Fries.
Although countries like Canada and Hong Kong have been enjoying shakers for years, the U.S has never had shaker fries before, so this release is especially exciting for U.S.-based McDonald’s fans. As such, the seasoning quickly became the topic of discussion for customers, and it was made even more alluring due to its particular flavor: a salty dill pickle flavor that pairs somewhat surprisingly well with McD’s fries. And honestly, one of the most exciting parts of the whole thing is getting to shake the fries yourself. (To me, it makes the experience feel more interactive than a typical McDonald’s order.)
But with all that excitement comes the downside: People are so hype over this meal — and specifically the fries — that McDonald’s locations started to sell out, fast. That means that while some people were able to get their hands on these fries easily, others never got the chance.
Luckily, the internet is saving the day. Since the seasoning is essentially a dill pickle blend, creators on TikTok began recreating it at home. So, if your local McDonald’s is already sold out, or you just want unlimited access to the seasoning without relying on a limited-time release, you can make your own DIY version.
In a Dec. 10 video, creator @thepickledguy explained that he looked at the ingredients list on the back of the Grinch Salt packet, and found that common dill pickle popcorn seasonings were extremely close to the McDonald’s version. He tried out Kernel Season’s Dill Pickle Popcorn Seasoning and the Orville Redenbacher Dill Pickle Seasoning, both which have the dilly, vinegary flavor that resembles the Grinch mix. He did a taste test and found out if you mix the two brands’ seasonings together, it creates a seasoning that is “dead on” for the Grinch Fries’ taste.
Other creators took the homemade route. In a video posted on Dec. 9, TikTok user @crochetverse created her own seasoning blend using sea salt flakes, dill weed, parsley flakes, and vinegar powder. (She did comment on how the vinegar powder is “nose tickling,” so be careful not to overdo it.) Her version is great if you want to feel like a true chef.
Across all these methods, the process stays pretty consistent: You can pick up regular McDonald’s fries, buy a pack of frozen fries at your local grocery store, or make fries from scratch — then just season, shake, and eat! This way, anyone can recreate their own version of the Grinch McShaker Fries at home, even long after the limited-edition meal goes away.