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 is the main ingredient in McDonald's sweet and sour sauce? ›

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.

How many calories are in McDonald's sweet and sour sauce? ›

There are 48 calories in a 1 package (28.000g) serving size of McDONALD'S, Sweet 'N Sour Sauce.

What is in McDonald's sauce? ›

Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Sweet Relish (diced Pickles, Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Corn Syrup, Xanthan Gum, Calcium Chloride, Spice Extractives), Water, Egg Yolks, Distilled Vinegar, Spices, Onion Powder, Salt, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Garlic Powder, Vegetable Protein (hydrolyzed Corn, ...

What is in Mcdonalds caramel syrup? ›

Ingredients: Sugar, Sweetened Condensed Skim Milk (milk, Sugar), Water, Corn Syrup, Natural Flavors, Brown Sugar, Propylene Glycol, Sea Salt, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Sorbate (preservative). Contains: Milk.

What is traditional 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 fruit is in McDonald's sweet and sour sauce? ›

Some McDonald's fans have soured on a popular dip. Add Sweet 'N Sour Sauce to the list of foods some people shun after knowing how it's made since they learned the main ingredient is apricot.

What sauce did McDonald's bring back? ›

McDonald's Is Bringing Back One of Its Most Popular McNugget Sauces for Very Limited Time — Here's How to Order It. Szechuan Sauce has been a fan favorite since its debut in 1998. Jelisa Castrodale has been a staff writer with Food & Wine since 2019.

Why does McDonald's taste different now? ›

Fewer burgers are placed on the grill, which somehow results in a hotter, juicier, tastier burger, and the diced white onions are added to the beef patties on the grill as they are cooking, rather than afterwards at the prep table. The cheese has been “tempered” longer to make it meltier as well, Schafer says.

How unhealthy is sweet and sour sauce? ›

Sweet and sour sauce is not a good source of vitamins and minerals. It does however have 3 milligrams of vitamin C. This makes up 5% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C. Sweet and sour sauce is a high-sodium food and provides 7% of the total recommended daily intake.

How long does McDonald's sweet and sour sauce last in the fridge? ›

I just really like it? They typically last 2–3 months but they can last longer depending on the sauce there may also be a best-before date printed on the sauce container or cover.

Is McDonald's sweet and sour sauce 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 McDonald's new name? ›

The new name also comes with a new sauce. McDonald's has decided to cosplay as its animated alter ego. Starting Feb. 26, the fast-food chain launched a manga-inspired makeover, embracing the upside-down golden arches featured in some of anime's most iconic movies and shows, where it is cheekily known as “WcDonald's.”

What is the new McDonald's sauce 2024? ›

Trying McDonalds New Savory Chili Sauce!

Does McDonald's give free sauce? ›

Lapis, who now works in tech, went on to note that McDonald's doesn't explicitly instruct its staffers to withhold the creamy goodness. “We're not told not to give out 'too much sauce,'” said Lapis, “but instead we are told that each specific purchase has a defined sauce packet given for free.”

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 tastes just like it sounds. A little bit sweet and a little bit sour at the same time. You will also have notes from whatever you flavour it with. The sweet and sour tastes can be made with a simple sugar and vinegar mix.

What is McDonald's secret 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.

What is in sweet and sour combination? ›

It's that easy. If you have simple syrup (sugar and water, you have this!) on had already, you'll combine 2 parts simple syrup with 1 lemon juice and 1 part lime juice. I usually go with 1 cup each and get a quart of fresh sweet and sour mix.

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