REVIEW: McDonald’s The Grinch Dill Pickle McShaker Fries

McDonald’s The Grinch Dill Pickle McShaker Fries

I hate to be a grinch, but after hearing about the dill pickle-flavored “Grinch Salt” seasoning for The Grinch Meal’s McShaker Fries, I’m extremely grumpy at McDonald’s for not leaning heavily into green pickles for the rest of the meal.

Maybe have a dill pickle-flavored sauce for the McNuggets option, a pickle juice lemonade as the beverage, or maybe add an extra generous serving of pickles to the Big Mac version. But nope. No special nuggets sauce, no pickle-enhanced beverage, and a normal amount of Big Mac pickles. However, the meal comes with a pair of Grinch-themed socks that are only edible to goats.

McDonald’s The Grinch Dill Pickle McShaker Fries packet

Because I’m not in the mood for Grinch-themed socks, I don’t care about menu items I can get any time of year at McDonald’s, and I don’t want to spend Dubai-style chocolate money ($13) for The Grinch Meal, I ended up picking up The Grinch McShaker Fries a la carte. Geez, that last sentence makes me seem like I’m a total grinch. Grumble. Grumble. Grumble. But you know what, just like the Whos’ love and joy for Christmas made The Grinch smile, the dill pickle seasoning on fries turned my frown upside down.

McDonald’s The Grinch Dill Pickle McShaker Fries instructions

To apply it to the fries, the packet comes with a paper bag that you dump your fries and seasoning into, then shake to combine. If you get the meal’s 10-Piece Chicken McNuggets option, I suggest also tossing in the nuggets to get some pickle-ness on them.

McDonald’s The Grinch Dill Pickle McShaker Fries powder

Initially, I was disappointed with how it made the fries look because it doesn’t turn them a bright green. But it’s understandable, because that would’ve freaked the fries out of those familiar with potatoes and solanine. While the seasoning is pale green in its packet, on the fries it appears more white. There are occasional flecks of dill that have a deep green color, but they are as dark as The Grinch’s heart, which makes them look black.

McDonald’s The Grinch Dill Pickle McShaker Fries seasoning on fries pre-shake

McDonald’s The Grinch Dill Pickle McShaker Fries seasoning on fries post-shake

The Grinch Salt is equal parts savory and tangy, and its pickle flavor makes McDonald’s World Famous French Fries taste even better. Being a fan of pickle-flavored products, I couldn’t resist chain-eating them until they were gone. Towards the bottom of the bag, the powder seemed to be applied more thickly to the fries, making them almost too potent.

McDonald’s The Grinch Dill Pickle McShaker Fries seasoning on bottom of bag

When all the fries were eaten, there was a decent amount of seasoning at the bottom of the bag. Seeing the leftover Grinch Salt kind of made me wish I had more fries, spent $13 for the Chicken McNuggets Grinch Meal, or had a lemonade I could dump it into.

McDonald’s The Grinch Dill Pickle McShaker Fries individual fry

The concept of adding a seasoning packet to McDonald’s fries isn’t new. While it has been done in the US before, it hasn’t really caught on here as it has internationally. Experiencing this tasty Grinch Salt gives me hope that McDonald’s might offer new flavors in the future.

Purchased Price: $5.19*
Size: Medium fries (also available with Large fries)
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (medium fries w/seasoning) 340 calories, 15 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 840 milligrams of sodium, 47 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 5 grams of protein.

*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay less than I did.

SPOTTED (SEASONAL EDITION): 12/4/2025

Here are some interesting new products found on store shelves by your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of them, share your thoughts in the comments.

Sundae Shoppe Maple Pecan Ice Cream
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(Spotted by Robbie at Target.)
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(Spotted by Robbie at Sam’s Club.)
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(Spotted by Robbie at Target.)

If you’re out shopping and see new products, snap a picture of them, and send them in via an email ([email protected]) with where you found them and “Spotted” in the subject line. Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if they’re new, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

SPOTTED: Sour Patch Kids 5 Classic Flavored Strips

Sour Patch Kids 5 Classic Flavored Strips.

Sour Patch Kidstrips? (Spotted by Robbie at Circle K.)

If you’re out shopping and see new products, snap a picture of them, and send them in via an email ([email protected]) with where you found them and “Spotted” in the subject line. Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if they’re new, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

SPOTTED: Pillsbury Santa Shape Sugar Cookie Dough

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I guess Pillsbury finally figured out how to put Santa’s face on a cookie. Although the more I look at it, the more I see a pug’s face or a panda wearing a eye mask. (Spotted by Robbie at Walmart.)

If you’re out shopping and see new products, snap a picture of them, and send them in via an email ([email protected]) with where you found them and “Spotted” in the subject line. Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if they’re new, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

SPOTTED: 12/3/2025

Here are some interesting new products found on store shelves by your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of them, share your thoughts in the comments.

Mac's Extreme Chile Lime Fried Pork Skins
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(Spotted by Robbie at QuikTrip.)
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(Spotted by Sarah R at Target.)
7 Select Classic Milk Chocolate Bar
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(Spotted by Robbie at Walmart.)
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(Spotted by Robbie at Family Dollar.)
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(Spotted by Breanna at Harris Teeter.)
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Skinny Dipped Dark Chocolate Coconut Almond Bites
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Whole Foods Market Organic Long Grain White Rice
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Whole Foods Market Organic Long Grain White Basmati Rice
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(Spotted by Sarah R at Whole Foods.)

If you’re out shopping and see new products, snap a picture of them, and send them in via an email ([email protected]) with where you found them and “Spotted” in the subject line. Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if they’re new, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

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