In this study, Cu was added in amounts of 0, 0.5, and 1 wt% to Al-1Zn-0.5MM-0.3Mg alloys to investigate its effects on phase formation, microstructural evolution, recrystallization behavior, and mechanical properties under as-cast and extruded conditions. Additional Al2Cu phases appeared with increasing Cu addition. EBSD (electron backscatter diffraction) analysis of the extruded alloys revealed that the average grain size boundaries [HAGB (high angle grain boundary), > 15°] increased from 0.124 to 0.299, confirming recrystallization was significantly enhanced by the addition of 1 wt% Cu. Furthermore, the maximum ODF(orientation distribution function) intensity decreased from 6.597 to 3.88 (M.R.D.), indicating that the crystallographic texture became more randomized as recrystallization progressed. Tensile testing showed that the yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increased from 56.28 to 62.28 MPa and from 91.58 to 152.73 MPa, respectively, due to grain refinement and both solid-solution and precipitation strengthening by Cu. These findings demonstrate that adding Cu effectively controls phase formation, recrystallization, and mechanical properties in Al-Zn-MM-Mg alloys.