Craving that hearty, savory, and cheesy breakfast from McDonald’s? This Copycat McDonalds Steak Egg Cheese recipe gives you the same delicious flavor without the drive-thru line. With juicy steak, fluffy eggs, buttery bagels, and a special breakfast sauce that brings it all together, you can make this fast food favorite right in your own kitchen. Whether you’re feeding a family or prepping for busy mornings, this quick and easy breakfast sandwich is a total game changer. Let’s dive into what makes this copycat version so unforgettable—because homemade should taste even better than the original.
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From Drive-Thru Favorite to Daily Delicious – My Copycat McDonalds Steak Egg Cheese Recipe
A Breakfast Staple Reimagined
Mornings at our house aren’t exactly peaceful. Between snoozing alarms and packing lunches, breakfast used to be the quickest thing I could grab. My husband? He swears by hearty morning meals, and nothing made him light up like McDonald’s Steak Egg Cheese Bagel. But when it disappeared from the menu—and when the bill added up—I knew I had to recreate it. And let me tell you, it’s not only doable, it’s way better when you make it yourself.
One quiet Sunday, I decided to test a version at home, drawing inspiration from our Easy Breakfast Croissant Sandwich. I used shaved steak, eggs whipped with cream for fluffiness, buttery toasted bagels, and that dreamy creamy breakfast sauce. As soon as my husband took the first bite, he grinned and said, “This tastes just like it—no, better!”
Now, it’s our weekend ritual, right alongside favorites like Honey Glazed Steak Strips or Garlic Butter Steak Bites.
Why This Copycat Recipe Works Every Time
The secret’s in the balance: perfectly seasoned sirloin steak (or steakums), a quick creamy egg scramble, melty American cheese, and a bagel that’s both chewy and crisp. But it’s the sauce—yes, that legendary breakfast sauce—that brings it home. McDonald’s may have discontinued it, but I recreated it using mayo, mustard, steak sauce, lemon juice, and dill. It’s bold, tangy, and creamy.
Plus, it’s quick: 15 minutes from pan to plate. Whether you’re prepping for the week or craving a weekend brunch, this sandwich delivers every time. Serve it with hash browns or fresh fruit, or wrap it up and take it on the road—just like they intended.
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Copycat McDonalds Steak Egg Cheese Bagel
Hearty, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, this Copycat McDonald’s Steak Egg Cheese bagel sandwich is a breakfast favorite made better at home.
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 sandwiches
Ingredients
Bagels
Shaved steak or sirloin strips
Eggs
Butter
Yellow onion
American cheese
Montreal steak seasoning
Worcestershire sauce
Salt & pepper
Mayonnaise
Yellow mustard
Lemon juice
Dried dill
Instructions
1. Mix the sauce ingredients (mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, dill) and refrigerate.
2. Sauté sliced onions in butter until golden and set aside.
3. Scramble eggs in the same pan until just set; keep warm.
4. Season shaved steak with Worcestershire and steak seasoning.
5. Cook the steak until browned, then add onions back in.
6. Toast bagels; spread both halves with sauce.
7. Layer eggs, steak/onion mixture, and cheese onto bottom half of each bagel.
8. Top with the other bagel half and serve hot.
Notes
Use leftover steak from dinner to save time.
The sauce can be prepped up to 3 days in advance.
Try croissants or biscuits instead of bagels for variation.
Pair with fruit, hash browns, or a sweet treat like brownie bars.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 205mg
Ingredients & Instructions to Make Copycat McDonalds Steak Egg Cheese
Everything You’ll Need for the Sandwich
The beauty of this copycat recipe lies in how simple and satisfying it is. You’ll need a few essentials: soft bagels, tender steak strips, fluffy scrambled eggs, buttery caramelized onions, American cheese, and the sauce that gives it that unmistakable McDonald’s flavor.

For the steak, shaved sirloin or sandwich steak works perfectly—it cooks quickly and has that classic texture. Seasoning it with Worcestershire and steak seasoning gives it that punchy, savory profile that’s so craveable.
The onions should be slowly sautéed in butter until they turn soft and golden. This touch of sweetness rounds out the richness of the sandwich.
Then there’s the special sauce. Don’t skip this—it’s the glue that ties it all together. A mix of mayonnaise, yellow mustard, dill, and a squeeze of lemon gives you that tangy, creamy layer of flavor that defines this sandwich.
I like to toast the bagels lightly and coat both sides with that sauce before stacking in the eggs, steak, and cheese. If you love hearty breakfasts like our Cottage Cheese Baked Eggs or Baked Boiled Eggs, this one will slide right into your rotation.
Inside the Build – Layers That Make This Sandwich Legendary
A great sandwich doesn’t just happen—it’s built. And this Copycat McDonalds Steak Egg Cheese has a formula that hits every savory note. Start with the steak. Thin-sliced, well-seasoned beef gives this sandwich a rich, bold bite that instantly reminds you of those indulgent mornings with a bagel in hand and coffee in the other. I use sirloin-style steak strips, but if you’ve made a bigger dinner and have leftovers from Garlic Butter Steak Bites, they work beautifully here too.
Next up are the caramelized onions—soft, golden, and just sweet enough to balance the richness. It only takes a few extra minutes, but the payoff is big. For the eggs, we scramble them low and slow, just creamy enough to hold their shape but still tender. That signature American cheese melt? Don’t mess with it. It’s classic, and it works.
But it’s the sauce that seals the deal. A tangy mix of mayo, mustard, lemon, and dill, it delivers that punch of flavor you didn’t know you missed until the first bite. Spread it generously on both toasted bagel halves.
For mornings when we want something more rounded, I’ll add fresh fruit or make a breakfast-for-dessert moment with Brownie Smore Bars. Rich and gooey, they’re the kind of treat that reminds you homemade is always worth it.
Twist It, Serve It, Save Time – Your New Breakfast Favorite
Variations That Keep Things Interesting
Once you’ve nailed the classic version, you’ll find yourself wanting to play around with the layers. Let’s be honest—this sandwich is flexible. Swap the bagel for a croissant or English muffin for a lighter version. Want it low-carb? Wrap all those savory layers in a lettuce leaf or serve it open-faced on a grilled portobello.
For a flavor boost, add sliced tomato, avocado, or even a crispy hash brown between the steak and egg. Cheese lovers? Try provolone or pepper jack instead of American. You can even go bolder and borrow from our Honey Glazed Steak Strips for a touch of sweetness that plays beautifully against the sharpness of the sauce.
Have leftover steak from dinner? Use that! Recipes like Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes leave just enough behind for breakfast success the next morning.
Serving Ideas & Smart Prep Tips
This sandwich is satisfying on its own, but when you have a few extra minutes, pair it with a crispy hash brown, a bowl of fresh fruit, or even our Coconut and Chocolate Protein Bars for a high-energy morning combo.

If you’re tight on time during the week, here’s a tip: prep the steak, caramelized onions, and sauce in advance. They keep well in the fridge for 2–3 days. Scramble the eggs fresh (they only take a minute) and toast your bagel while you reheat the fillings. It’s a great grab-and-go option without losing any flavor or texture.
Meal prepping for multiple people? Lay out the components buffet-style—eggs, steak, onions, cheese, and bagels—so everyone can build their sandwich just the way they like. It’s a fun way to feed a crowd without stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sauce does McDonald’s use on their Steak, Egg, and Cheese?
McDonald’s originally served this sandwich with a signature breakfast sauce—a creamy, tangy spread with hints of mustard, dill, and a subtle sharpness. It was discontinued years ago, but don’t worry. Our homemade version captures the essence perfectly using mayo, yellow mustard, lemon juice, and dill. It’s not just clos, it might be better.
What kind of meat is in McDonald’s Steak, Egg and Cheese Bagel?
The original sandwich featured thinly shaved beef steak, usually sirloin, seasoned with savory spices. For your copycat version, go with shaved sirloin, sandwich steak, or a Philly-style beef strip. Recipes like our Beef Bavette Steak or even Garlic Butter Steak Bites are great if you’re working with leftovers.
What comes on a McDonald’s Steak, Egg and Cheese Biscuit?
The biscuit version swaps the bagel for a soft, buttery biscuit, but keeps the same savory combo: steak, fluffy scrambled egg, and melted cheese. You can replicate this easily at home by switching out the bagel with a biscuit and following the same process.
What is the sauce on the McDonald’s breakfast bagel?
It’s the same iconic breakfast sauce we mentioned earlier—a tangy mix of mayo, mustard, dill, and a hint of citrus. It’s easy to make and totally elevates the sandwich from good to “Why didn’t I make this sooner?” status.
Final Thoughts on This Copycat Breakfast Favorite
There’s something truly comforting about mastering a recipe that tastes just like your favorite fast-food memory—but made even better at home. This Copycat McDonalds Steak Egg Cheese sandwich delivers everything: bold, buttery, cheesy satisfaction layered between toasted bagels and finished with a rich, nostalgic sauce. It’s a breakfast that fits every kind of morning—quick, cozy, or somewhere in between.
From our table to yours, we hope this becomes part of your breakfast rotation, just like it did in our kitchen. And if you’re anything like us, you’ll hear those magic words after the first bite: “Can you make this again tomorrow?”
Hungry for more? Be sure to join me on Facebook and Pinterest to keep the inspiration going.