Prices are approximate and vary by restaurant. Last updated September 2026.
The Saver Menu is McDonald’s UK’s worst-kept secret and best defence against rising prices. It’s the section of the menu where everything is cheap — items start from about £1.09 — and it’s available all day alongside the main menu (after 11am, when breakfast ends). If you want to eat at McDonald’s for the least money possible without feeling short-changed, this is where you start.
But not all Saver Menu items are equal. Some are astonishing value; others are cheap but leave you hungry. Here’s our ranked guide to the best-value picks in 2026.
What is the Saver Menu?
The Saver Menu is McDonald’s UK’s dedicated value range — a permanent section of the menu board grouping the cheapest burgers, chicken items, sides and desserts. Prices start from about £1.09 (for the side salad) and most items sit under £3. It’s distinct from limited-time promotions: these items are meant to be available every day, giving budget-conscious customers a reliable cheap option.
The best-value Saver Menu items, ranked
1. Mayo Chicken — around £1.40–£2
The undisputed champion of the Saver Menu. A crispy chicken fillet, cool mayo and fresh lettuce in a toasted bun, typically for under £2. It’s substantial enough to count as a light meal on its own, and two of them make a genuinely filling lunch for under £4. No other item delivers this much satisfaction per pound.
2. Double Cheeseburger — around £2.30–£2.80
Two beef patties, two slices of cheese, pickles, onions, ketchup and mustard — for roughly half the price of a Big Mac. On a pure protein-per-pound basis, this might be the best value on the entire menu, Saver or otherwise. It’s the item that budget guides return to again and again, because the maths is so compelling.
3. Cheeseburger — around £1.40–£1.90
The classic. One patty, one slice of cheese, all the trimmings. At this price you can double up: two cheeseburgers cost less than most single premium burgers and deliver more beef than a Big Mac. It’s small, but the value is enormous.
4. Hamburger — around £1.20–£1.70
The cheapest hot savoury item on the menu. It’s basic — patty, pickles, onions, ketchup, mustard — but it’s hot, it’s beef, and it costs little more than a pound. A legitimate building block for ultra-budget meals.
5. Small fries — roughly £1–£1.70
The world’s most famous fries in the cheapest format. The small portion is also the sensible portion — enough to satisfy, not so much you feel sluggish. Pair with any burger above for a complete cheap meal.
6. 4 Chicken McNuggets-style value picks
Where offered as part of value ranges, smaller nugget portions give you the McNugget experience without the £3.50–£5 outlay of a 6-piece. Dipping sauces included, obviously.
7. Side salad — from about £1.09
The cheapest item on the menu. It’s not exciting, but as a fresh add-on to a burger-and-fries order, it’s unbeatable value — and it’s vegan.
8. Apple pie — around £1–£1.50
Hot, crispy, sweet — and barely more than a pound. The apple pie is the Saver Menu’s dessert hero, and it doubles as an afternoon snack in its own right.
9. Soft-serve cone — usually under £1.50
Simple, cheap, nostalgic. Not a meal, but as a sweet finish to a budget order it’s hard to argue with.
10. Mini McFlurry — around £1.49–£1.99
When the McFlurry craving hits but the budget says no, the mini delivers the same flavours — Oreo, Maltesers, Smarties, Galaxy and the rest of the 2026 line-up — in a smaller, cheaper cup.
Building a full meal from the Saver Menu
Here’s where the Saver Menu really shines: combining cheap items into meals that rival the official meals at a fraction of the price.
The £3.50 lunch: Mayo Chicken (around £1.40–£2) + small fries (roughly £1–£1.70). A proper burger-and-fries lunch for the price of a supermarket meal deal — except it’s hot.
The protein maximiser: Double Cheeseburger (around £2.30–£2.80) + small fries. More beef than a Big Mac meal, for roughly half the price.
The double-up: Two cheeseburgers (around £2.80–£3.80 total). Simple, effective, filling.
The sweet finish: Any of the above + apple pie (around £1–£1.50). A full meal with dessert for under £5.
The vegan budget meal: Veggie Dippers (usually around £3–£4) + side salad (from about £1.09). Plant-based and cheap.
Saver Menu vs meal deals: which wins?
Official meals (like the Big Mac meal at around £5–£7) bundle a burger, fries and a drink at a discount versus buying separately. But a DIY Saver Menu combination often undercuts even the bundled price:
- Big Mac medium meal: around £5–£7
- DIY equivalent (Double Cheeseburger + medium fries + drink): often £4.50–£6
The DIY route wins on price; the official meal wins on convenience and, let’s be honest, the Big Mac itself. There’s no wrong answer — it depends whether you’re optimising for pounds or for pleasure.
Saver Menu traps to avoid
- Don’t assume “Saver” means filling. Some Saver items are snacks, not meals. A side salad and an apple pie is cheap, but you might be hungry an hour later. Anchor your order with a burger or chicken item.
- Drinks add up. A large soft drink can cost nearly as much as a cheeseburger. Water is free — ask for a cup.
- Delivery destroys the value. Saver Menu prices on Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo are higher, and fees can double a £3 order. The Saver Menu is an in-store (or collect) game.
- Don’t forget the app. MyMcDonald’s rewards apply to Saver Menu orders too, so you’re earning points on every penny.
How the Saver Menu compares to rivals
Burger King’s value offerings and KFC’s budget options both exist, but neither matches the depth of McDonald’s Saver Menu. The combination of sub-£2 burgers, a £1.09 side salad and all-day availability is unique in UK fast food. It’s a big reason McDonald’s remains the default choice for anyone eating out on a tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on the McDonald’s UK Saver Menu?
The Saver Menu groups the cheapest permanent items — burgers like the cheeseburger and Mayo Chicken, the double cheeseburger, small fries, side salad, apple pie, soft-serve cones and mini McFlurries — with prices starting from about £1.09.
What is the cheapest meal on the Saver Menu?
A Mayo Chicken (around £1.40–£2) with small fries (roughly £1–£1.70) makes a complete hot lunch for around £3–£3.50 in most restaurants.
Is the Saver Menu available all day?
It’s available alongside the main menu, which runs from 11am until close. It’s not available during breakfast hours.
Can I use the McDonald’s app with Saver Menu items?
Yes — you earn MyMcDonald’s points on Saver Menu orders just like any other order, and app offers can apply too.
Are Saver Menu prices the same everywhere?
No, restaurants set their own prices, so Saver items cost a little more in expensive areas like central London. The relative value holds everywhere, though.
Does the Saver Menu ever change?
The core items are long-standing, but McDonald’s does occasionally refresh the range or add limited-time value items. The items in this guide have been staples for years.
Final thoughts
The Saver Menu is proof that McDonald’s still takes value seriously in 2026. While the top of the menu stretches toward £10 with premium launches, the bottom holds firm: hot, satisfying food from about £1.09. Learn the Saver Menu, combine items smartly, and you can eat well at McDonald’s for less than the price of a fancy coffee — every single day.