Prices are approximate and vary by restaurant. Last updated September 2026.
Everyone knows McDonald’s is cheap, but when money is genuinely tight, “cheap” isn’t a single number — it’s a spectrum. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive items on the menu can be £7 or more, which means knowing exactly where the bargains are can genuinely change what your visit costs.
This list rounds up the 15 cheapest items on the McDonald’s UK menu in 2026, ranked roughly from cheapest to priciest. Every price is approximate and varies by restaurant, but the ordering should hold true pretty much anywhere in the country.
1. Side salad — from about £1.09
The humble side salad is often the single cheapest item on the menu. A small bag of mixed leaves with cucumber and tomato, it’s not going to set anyone’s pulse racing, but if you just want something fresh alongside your main, it’s unbeatable value. It’s also vegan.
2. Porridge — around £1
A warm bowl of porridge for roughly a pound is one of the best breakfast bargains in Britain. It’s only available during breakfast hours (until 11am), it’s filling, and it costs less than most chocolate bars. Add a hash brown and you’ve got a hot breakfast for under £2.
3. Hash brown — under £1
The hash brown is a cult item for a reason: crispy, golden, salty and costing less than a pound. Breakfast-only, so set your alarm — the breakfast menu ends at 11am sharp every day.
4. Hamburger — around £1.20–£1.70
The original and still one of the cheapest hot items on the menu. A beef patty, pickles, onions, ketchup and mustard in a soft bun. It’s small, but at this price you could have two and still spend less than a single Big Mac.
5. Cheeseburger — around £1.40–£1.90
For a few pence more than the hamburger, you get a slice of cheese. The cheeseburger is the backbone of budget McDonald’s eating — it’s the item that value-savvy customers build entire meals around. Two cheeseburgers and a small fries can come in under £4.
6. Mayo Chicken — around £1.40–£2
The Mayo Chicken has a devoted following out of all proportion to its price. Crispy chicken, cool mayo and lettuce in a toasted bun, typically available for under £2. Many regulars consider it the single best value item on the whole menu.
7. Apple pie — around £1–£1.50
A hot, crispy apple pie for barely more than a pound is a dessert bargain. It’s been on the menu for decades and remains one of the cheapest ways to finish a meal with something sweet.
8. Soft-serve cone — usually under £1.50
Simple, nostalgic and cheap. The soft-serve cone won’t win any awards for sophistication, but on a warm day it’s excellent value.
9. Fruit bag, pineapple stick or melon/cucumber bag — around £1–£1.50
These are the cheapest ways to add something fresh to an order, and they’re popular with parents ordering for kids. The fruit bag in particular is a staple of the Happy Meal, but you can buy it separately too.
10. Small fries — roughly £1–£1.70
Few things in life are as reliably satisfying as McDonald’s fries, and the small portion keeps the price — and the calories — in check. Worth noting: fries are vegan in the UK.
11. Mini McFlurry — around £1.49–£1.99
All the joy of a McFlurry in a smaller cup. With flavours like Oreo, Maltesers, Smarties and Galaxy appearing through 2026, the mini is the smart choice if you want the treat without spending over £2.
12. Double Cheeseburger — around £2.30–£2.80
This is where the list moves from snacks into proper meals. Two beef patties and two slices of cheese for under £3 is remarkable value — it’s more filling than a Big Mac for roughly half the price, which is why it features in so many budget-order guides.
13. Veggie Dippers — usually around £3–£4
The cheapest substantial vegan main on the menu. Four crispy vegetable dippers with your choice of dip, they’re a solid option for plant-based eaters on a budget.
14. McChicken Sandwich — roughly £3–£4
A full-size crispy chicken sandwich for around £3–£4 sits comfortably below the Big Mac and Quarter Pounder on price while still feeling like a proper meal, especially with fries.
15. Happy Meal — around £2.90–£3.50
Technically a kids’ meal, but there’s no rule saying adults can’t order one — and plenty do. A main, fries or veggie bag, drink and a toy or book for under £3.50 is one of the best-value complete meals on the menu.
Building the cheapest possible meal
If your goal is to spend as little as possible while still feeling fed, here are a few combinations that work:
- The £3 lunch: Mayo Chicken (around £1.40–£2) + small fries (roughly £1–£1.70). Simple, filling, classic.
- The double-up: Two cheeseburgers (around £2.80–£3.80 total). More protein than a Big Mac meal for a fraction of the price.
- The breakfast hack: Porridge (around £1) + hash brown (under £1). A hot breakfast for under £2, but only before 11am.
- The vegan budget option: Veggie Dippers (around £3–£4) + side salad (from about £1.09).
Why the Saver Menu matters
Most of the items on this list live on the Saver Menu, which is McDonald’s UK’s dedicated value section. It’s always worth checking the Saver Menu board first, because it gathers the cheapest items in one place and sometimes includes limited-time value additions. Prices on the Saver Menu start from about £1.09, and the range is deliberately designed for customers who want to eat for very little.
A note on delivery
Everything on this list assumes you’re ordering in the restaurant or via the app for collection. Order through Uber Eats, Just Eat or Deliveroo and the maths changes completely — delivery menu prices are higher, and fees can add several pounds. A £3 budget lunch can easily become a £7 one. If you’re counting pennies, collect it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the absolute cheapest item at McDonald’s UK?
The side salad (from about £1.09), porridge (around £1) and hash brown (under £1) compete for the title, depending on your local restaurant’s pricing and the time of day.
Can you eat at McDonald’s for under £3?
Easily. A Mayo Chicken and small fries, two cheeseburgers, or porridge with a hash brown at breakfast can all come in under £3 in most restaurants.
Is the Saver Menu available all day?
The Saver Menu is generally available alongside the main menu after 11am. Breakfast has its own value options, like porridge and hash browns.
Are McDonald’s prices the same everywhere in the UK?
No — restaurants set their own prices, so a cheeseburger in central London will cost more than one in a smaller town. The items on this list are the cheapest relative to the rest of the menu wherever you are.
Can adults order a Happy Meal?
Yes, there’s no age restriction. It’s one of the cheapest complete meals on the menu at around £2.90–£3.50.
Do cheap menu items ever get discontinued?
Menu items do come and go, and prices rise over time. The core budget items — hamburger, cheeseburger, Mayo Chicken, fries — have been value staples for years and show no sign of disappearing.
Final thoughts
Eating at McDonald’s for very little money isn’t about finding a secret trick — it’s about knowing the menu. The cheapest items are hiding in plain sight: the Mayo Chicken, the double cheeseburger, the humble hash brown. Order from this end of the menu and you can still eat well in 2026 without spending more than a few pounds.