McDonald's Sweet and Sour Sauce - caramel and cashews (2024)

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Make your own McDonald's sweet and sour sauce at home! It's easy to make and ready in 5 minutes. Serve this sweet and tangy sauce with all your favorites.

McDonald's Sweet and Sour Sauce - caramel and cashews (1)

McDonald's Copycat

If you love McDonald's sweet and sour sauce packets, you're in luck! Homemade sweet and sour sauce is easy-breezy to make and most of the ingredients are pantry staples.

I keep apricot jam and pineapple juice on hand just to make this sauce. It's sweet, tangy, and downright addictive! Perfect for your McNuggets or homemade nuggets and fries. I personally love it with Costco's chicken meatballs.

You can make this sweet and sour sauce recipe in 2 minutes! No cooking required.

Key Ingredients

McDonald's Sweet and Sour Sauce - caramel and cashews (2)

Apricot jam - The not-so-secret ingredient to McDonald's sweet and sour sauce! It's crucial for the right flavor. If you can't find apricot, peach works in a jam, but the flavor is slightly different.

Pineapple juice - Thins out the jam and adds a slight tang! You can use juice from the can or the carton.

Vinegar - For a slight zip and to cut all the sweetness. I used white vinegar, but any neutral vinegar works fine. Apple cider vinegar is a good option too.

Soy sauce - For a salty, umami flavor. Soy sauce is NOT gluten-free. Be sure to use Tamari soy sauce if you can't have gluten.

Mustard - Contributes to the tang!

Spices - You need garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and kosher salt. If you only have table salt, cut the amount in half!

McDonald's Sweet and Sour Sauce - caramel and cashews (3)

How to Make McDonald's Sweet and Sour Sauce

It's super simple! Most recipes call for cooking the sauce. I personally don't think it needs it. You can simmer the sauce to thicken it up if you like though!

Here's what to do:

McDonald's Sweet and Sour Sauce - caramel and cashews (4)
  1. In a medium bowl, combine the apricot jam, pineapple juice, vinegar, soy sauce, yellow mustard, and spices.
  2. Stir until smooth.
  3. If your sauce is chunky from the jam, transfer the mixture to a mini food processor. Alternatively, you can use a tall cup and an immersion blender.
  4. Blend until smooth.
  5. Transfer to a bowl and enjoy!
McDonald's Sweet and Sour Sauce - caramel and cashews (5)

Recipe Tips

  • You don't need to cook the sauce. The apricot jam gives it a good thick consistency. If you want to cook it, transfer it to a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until it starts to bubble. Whisk and cook for a few minutes until it thickens.
  • If you don't mind a chunky sauce, you can skip blending it too. Most apricot preserves contain large pieces of apricot in them. To achieve a smooth texture, blend the sauce in a small food processor or with an immersion blender.
McDonald's Sweet and Sour Sauce - caramel and cashews (6)

Substitutions

Homemade sweet and sour sauce is easy to customize!

  • Gluten-free - McDonald's sweet and sour sauce is NOT gluten-free! It contains wheat because it has soy sauce in it. Just swap regular soy sauce with Tamari soy sauce to make it gluten-free.
  • Spicy - Try making it spicy! Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne.
  • Jam - If you can't find apricot jam, you can use peach jam. The flavor will be different, but it still tastes delicious.
McDonald's Sweet and Sour Sauce - caramel and cashews (7)

Serving Ideas

Honestly, feel free to douse this delicious sauce on anything that sounds good! Here's a few ideas to get you started:

  • Dipping sauce for nuggets, fries, chicken meatballs, egg rolls, etc.
  • Glaze for salmon, pork or chicken! Brush it on the outside for a sweet and savory vibe.
  • Use it as a sweet spread for sandwiches! Perfect for chicken, turkey, or pork!
  • Drizzle on roasted vegetables for a sweet side dish.

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McDonald's Sweet and Sour Sauce - caramel and cashews (8)

Sweet and Sour Sauce - McDonald's Copycat

Carolyn

Make your own McDonald's sweet and sour sauce at home! It's easy to make and ready in 5 minutes. Serve this sweet and tangy sauce with all your favorites.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course sauce

Servings 4 servings

Calories 51 kcal

Equipment

  • Measuring cups & spoons

Ingredients

  • cup apricot preserves or jam
  • 1 tablespoon pineapple juice
  • teaspoons vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon yellow mustard
  • teaspoon garlic powder
  • teaspoon onion powder
  • teaspoon paprika
  • teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, combine the apricot jam, pineapple juice, vinegar, mustard, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and kosher salt.

  • Whisk until combined.

  • If your jam or preserves is chunky, you can transfer the mixture to a mini food processor and pulse until smooth. Alternatively, you can use a stick blender to blend into a smooth sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 51kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 0.3gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 130mgPotassium: 25mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 46IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.1mg

Keyword mcdonalds sweet and sour sauce

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McDonald's Sweet and Sour Sauce - caramel and cashews (2024)

FAQs

What does McDonald's sweet and sour sauce contain? ›

Ingredients: High Fructose Corn Syrup, Water, Apricot Puree Concentrate And/or Peach Puree Concentrate, Distilled Vinegar, Contains 2% Or Less: Soy Sauce (water, Soybeans, Wheat, Salt), Salt, Modified Food Starch, Sherry Wine Powder, Dextrose, Soybean Oil, Xanthan Gum, Spices, Sodium Benzoate (preservative), Natural ...

Why did McDonald's get rid of sweet and sour sauce? ›

Why is the Sweet & Sour Sauce no longer available as one of the nuggets condiments? We no longer serve sweet & sour sauce due to demand. However, you can still enjoy our Curry or Barbeque Sauce.

What is sweet and sour sauce made of? ›

While sweet and sour can be found in diverse forms in China, the American version builds upon the simple mixture of sugar, vinegar, and spices with the addition of fruit juice—most commonly pineapple—and ketchup, giving the sauce both its red hue and uniquely Western flavor.

What are the new McDonald's sauces? ›

Sweet & Spicy Jam and Mambo Sauce live at the intersection of flavor and culture - pulling from decades of rich food history and tradition in local restaurants and home kitchens, and bringing the delicious spice, sweetness and kick of heat we know today's customers are craving.

Why does McDonald's sweet and sour sauce taste different? ›

While the sauce, a mainstay of American Chinese restaurants, usually has a tomato-y element, the appeal of the McDonald's version lies in its simpler taste and its use of apricot and peach purée. But it's the texture that makes the sweet-and-sour a work of art.

What is the actual Flavour of sweet and sour sauce? ›

Sweet and sour sauce features a balanced combination of sweet and tangy flavors, making it a versatile condiment that can be used in various ways to enhance the flavor of your dishes.

Why does McDonald's taste different now? ›

The new cooking technique has rendered the burgers more flavorful and juicy. The new moist, shiny, puffy, golden, buttery-tasting toasted buns are light-years better than the old ones, which is especially important in a sandwich with three bun sections. The pickles add just the right amount of pop to each bite.

What sauce did McDonald's discontinue? ›

Szechuan. Probably the most iconic of all discontinued McDonald's sauces, Szechuan dipping sauce was largely forgotten for two decades before it was dragged into the spotlight.

How do you know if McDonald's sweet and sour sauce is bad? ›

Checking for Spoilage: If you are unsure whether a McDonald's sauce has expired, you can check for changes in smell, consistency, and taste. If the sauce looks or smells strange, or if it has been stored improperly, it is best to discard it to avoid any potential health risks [2][3].

Is sweet and sour sauce actually Chinese? ›

Some authors say that the original sweet and sour sauce (traditional Chinese: 糖醋醬; simplified Chinese: 糖醋酱; pinyin: tángcùjiàng) came from the Chinese province of Henan, but the sauce in this area is a light vinegar and sugar mixture not resembling what most people, including the Chinese, would call sweet and sour.

Is sweet and sour sauce full of sugar? ›

There are 13.4 grams of carbs in a 2-tablespoon serving of sweet and sour sauce, 7 grams of those carbs come from sugar. The carbohydrates found in sweet and sour sauce are simple carbs, and it has a glycemic index of 70. The carbs are likely coming from ingredients including tomato sauce, ketchup, and added sugar.

What ethnicity is sweet and sour sauce? ›

While originating from China in the 1700s, sweet and sour sauce developed into the popular sauce it is today in America during the late 19th century.

Does McDonald's sell their sauces? ›

Find your nearest restaurant and order your favorite McDonald's sauce from our full menu in the app using contactless Mobile Order & Pay* for pickup or McDelivery®. *At participating McDonald's. Delivery prices may be higher than at restaurants. Delivery/other fees may apply.

What is the most used sauce at McDonald's? ›

Barbecue sauce, sweet and sour sauce, and honey mustard are all popular choices among customers. But if you're looking for the ultimate McDonald's sauce experience, it's hard to go wrong with the classic Big Mac sauce.

What new sauces does McDonald's have 2024? ›

McDonald's fans, rejoice! The chain just announced its first new dipping sauce of 2024—and it goes hand in hand with an immersive and wildly unique Golden Arches campaign. A brand-new Savory Chili Sauce will hit McDonald's menus in the United States and across the globe on Feb. 26.

Does Mcdonalds sweet n sour sauce have pineapple in it? ›

While some suggested pineapple might be the elusive star of the smooth sauce, others have been left “shaken” by the discovery that it is in fact apricot.

What is McDonald's special sauce made of? ›

The sweetness comes from ketchup and sweet pickle relish; the savory from yellow mustard, fresh onion and a little vinegar. The ingredients are blended with mayonnaise to create a creamy, piquant sauce that is really delicious on burgers.

Does sweet and sour sauce contain tomato? ›

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, can of tomatoes, onion, soy sauce, ginger and pineapple; simmer for 20 minutes. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and reserved pineapple juice; stir till smooth. Add to the cooked pineapple mixture when mixture is done cooking.

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