Ever bit into a McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish and felt like it had been sitting under a heat lamp since yesterday? You’re not alone. While the fish sandwich has been a menu staple since 1962, getting one that’s actually fresh can feel like winning the lottery. The good news is that there are several tricks you can use to make sure your sandwich tastes like it was just made, and most of them are easier than you’d think.
Simply ask for your sandwich to be cooked fresh
The most straightforward way to get a fresh Filet-O-Fish is to just ask for it. When you’re ordering, tell the person taking your order that you’d like your sandwich “made fresh” or “cooked to order.” According to McDonald’s employees, this is actually a common request that they’re required to honor. The fish patty and bun will be prepared right when you order instead of being pulled from the warming tray.
Yes, you’ll have to wait a bit longer for your food. The whole cooking process takes about six minutes from start to finish, with the fish patty itself needing around three minutes and 15 seconds in the fryer. But if you’ve ever eaten a lukewarm fish sandwich that tastes like cardboard, you know that extra wait is worth it. Just remember to be polite when asking, especially if you’re ordering during busy times or right before closing. The employees are way more likely to make your sandwich perfectly when you’re nice about it.
Swap the tartar sauce for Big Mac sauce
This trick comes straight from a former McDonald’s corporate chef, and it completely changes the sandwich. Instead of the regular tartar sauce, ask for Big Mac sauce on your Filet-O-Fish. The Big Mac sauce adds a slightly smoky taste and more depth to the fish without covering it up completely. When a food writer tested this hack, she called it “heavenly” and said the subtle sweetness complemented the fish perfectly.
Unfortunately, you can’t make this swap through the McDonald’s app since it doesn’t let you customize the Filet-O-Fish with Big Mac sauce. You’ll need to order at the drive-thru or counter and explain what you want to the person taking your order. If you like your sandwiches extra saucy, ask for a double helping of Big Mac sauce. The extra sauce makes everything more moist and adds even more taste without becoming overwhelming. This has become many people’s go-to Filet-O-Fish order once they try it.
Order an extra fish patty for better proportions
Some people think the regular Filet-O-Fish has too much bread compared to fish. If that sounds like you, there’s a simple fix. Through the McDonald’s app, you can start with a Double Filet-O-Fish and add a third patty for around $1.10 to $1.20, depending on your location. This creates what people call a Triple Filet, giving you way more fish in every bite. The ratio feels more balanced, and you get extra tartar sauce too.
Is it worth the extra money though? A single Filet-O-Fish costs about $4.69 in most places, while making it a triple brings the total to around $7.69. That’s a pretty big jump in price. Most people who’ve tried the triple fish sandwich agree it tastes good, but say it’s almost too much food and hard to fit in your mouth. It’s probably best saved for when you’re really hungry or want to split it with someone else.
Add your French fries inside the sandwich
In the UK, people have been putting fries in their sandwiches for years, calling it a chip butty. The same concept works amazingly well with a Filet-O-Fish. Just order your sandwich with a side of fries, then pile the fries right on top of the fish patty. You can add them on top or below the fish, whatever you prefer. Some people like to squeeze ketchup on the fries first for extra moisture and tang.
The fries add a salty crunch that really improves the sandwich. The soft potato inside the fries gives each bite a nice contrast with the crispy fish. Plus, eating everything together is just easier than switching back and forth between your sandwich and fries. The crispiest fries in the box work best because they stay crunchy even after you close the bun. This is one of those hacks that sounds weird but makes total sense once you try it.
Put a hash brown in your sandwich
If you’re at McDonald’s during the morning transition time, try this breakfast-meets-lunch hack. Get a hash brown while breakfast is still being served, then wait until the lunch menu starts and order your Filet-O-Fish. Slide that hash brown right into your sandwich. The hash brown adds an amazing crispy texture and those greasy, salty notes that make McDonald’s breakfast so good. Since it’s shaped like a patty, it fits perfectly and gives you even crunch in every bite.
Timing is everything with this one. You need to show up before 10:30 or 11:00 AM, depending on when your local McDonald’s stops serving breakfast. Your hash brown might cool down a little while you’re waiting for the sandwich, but it’ll warm back up once it’s inside. If you want it super hot, take everything home and pop it in the air fryer for a minute. The combination works better than regular fries for people who like more crunch.
Add mustard and pickles for extra punch
Sometimes the regular Filet-O-Fish just needs a little more sharpness. That’s where this simple addition comes in. When ordering, ask for extra mustard and pickles along with the tartar sauce. You can also skip the tartar sauce if you want to keep things more straightforward. This hack is so popular that McDonald’s employees often make their own Filet-O-Fish sandwiches this way when they’re on break.
The mustard gives a sour edge that balances out the salty fish patty perfectly. The pickles add their own sourness plus a touch of sweetness that you don’t normally get. Both ingredients also make the sandwich more moist without turning it into a soggy mess. When a food expert tested various modifications, this combination stood out for how much better it made the sandwich without completely changing what it is. It’s an easy upgrade that doesn’t cost extra.
Combine two sandwiches to make a fish Big Mac
Want all the fun of a Big Mac’s size and middle bun without the beef? Order two Filet-O-Fish sandwiches and stack them together. Take the top bun off one sandwich, scraping as much tartar sauce as you can onto the fish patty. Then place your second sandwich right on top of that first patty. You end up with a double-decker fish sandwich complete with that signature middle bun.
This version obviously misses some of what makes a Big Mac special, like the lettuce, onions, and special sauce. But you can fix that by requesting those toppings on your Filet-O-Fish when you order, or by asking for Big Mac sauce instead of tartar sauce. Some people have even convinced their local McDonald’s to make them an actual Big Mac using fish patties instead of beef. Either way, you get double the fish and end up way more satisfied than with just one regular sandwich.
Request extra cheese for more coverage
Have you ever noticed that a Filet-O-Fish only comes with half a slice of cheese? McDonald’s does this on purpose because they think a full slice would be too much and cover up the fish taste. But lots of people disagree. If you’re one of those people who wants more cheese, just ask for it. Request a full slice or even extra cheese when you’re ordering.
The extra cheese makes the sandwich feel more complete and adds a creaminess that works really well with the tartar sauce. It also helps hold everything together better, so your sandwich doesn’t fall apart as easily. This is probably the simplest hack on the list since you’re literally just asking for more of something that’s already on there. Most McDonald’s locations won’t even charge you extra for adding a full slice instead of a half slice, though policies can vary by store.
Make a Surf and Turf with a Double Cheeseburger
This hack is for when you can’t decide between fish and beef. Order both a Filet-O-Fish and a Double Cheeseburger, then remove the top bun from both sandwiches. Place the deconstructed Filet-O-Fish on top of the Double Cheeseburger and crown everything with the cheeseburger’s top bun. Some people split the beef patties and put them on either side of the fish instead. McDonald’s actually added this as a temporary menu item in 2022 because it got so popular.
What’s surprising is how well these tastes work together. The tartar sauce actually complements the beef in a way that’s similar to horseradish sauce, making it lighter and fresher. The pickles and mustard from the cheeseburger add complexity to the fish. Even though you’re combining two sandwiches, it doesn’t become too huge to eat like some other hacks. It’s a good middle ground between a regular sandwich and those monster creations that require unhinging your jaw.
Getting a fresh Filet-O-Fish doesn’t have to be complicated or left up to chance. Whether you’re asking for it to be cooked fresh, adding Big Mac sauce, or creating wild combinations with other menu items, these tricks will make sure your next fish sandwich is exactly how you want it. The best part is that most of these hacks are free or cost just a little extra, and they turn a basic sandwich into something you’ll actually look forward to eating.
