Copycat McDonald's Sweet And Sour Sauce For Nuggets Recipe | CDKitchen (2024)

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Love the nuggets and sweet & sour from the golden arches? Apricot preserves, Italian dressing, and a couple other add-ins make a fantastic sauce for dipping nuggets, egg rolls and more.

Copycat McDonald's Sweet And Sour Sauce For Nuggets Recipe | CDKitchen (1)


serves/makes:

ready in:

under 30 minutes

5 reviews
1 comment


ingredients

1 cup apricot preserves
1 tablespoon Heinz 57 sauce
3 tablespoons Italian salad dressing
1 tablespoon soy sauce

directions

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir well to combine.

Use immediately or store in the refrigerator in a covered container for up to 2 weeks.

recipe tips


Mix the sauce thoroughly so all ingredients are well combined.

Adjust the proportions of the ingredients to taste.

If the sauce is too thick, thin it with a little water or more salad dressing. If it's too thin, add more preserves or Heinz 57

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning, adding more soy sauce for saltiness or preserves for sweetness if needed.

Store the sauce in a clean, airtight container.

Serve the sauce at room temperature (this makes it easier for dipping).

Try adding ingredients like ginger or garlic for different versions.

Label the container with the preparation date for reference.

common recipe questions


Can I use a different type of preserves for this recipe?

Yes, you can use peach or pineapple preserves as substitutes, but it will change the flavor slightly.

Can I reduce the sugar content in this sauce?

Reducing the sugar content might be challenging due to the inherent sweetness of the preserves, but you can try using low-sugar or sugar-free preserves.

Is there a substitute for Heinz 57 sauce?

You can use a combination of ketchup and Worcestershire sauce as a substitute or another kind of steak sauce.

Can I add heat to this sauce?

Add a small amount of hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

Can I use fresh apricots instead of preserves?

Fresh apricots can be used, but you would need to cook them down with sugar to create a preserve-like consistency (which would be a lot of work just to make a sweet and sour sauce).

Is there a substitute for the Italian salad dressing?

You can use a basic vinaigrette or a mix of vinegar, oil, and herbs as a substitute.

How can I make this sauce thicker?

Simmer the sauce over low heat to reduce and thicken it, or add a small amount of cornstarch slurry.

Can I use this sauce in recipes other than for dipping?

Yes, it can be used as a glaze for grilled meats or as a sauce in stir-fry dishes. Or, thin it a bit and use it as a salad dressing or drizzled on roasted veggies.


nutrition data

32 calories, 1 grams fat, 7 grams carbohydrates, 0 grams protein per tablespoon. This recipe is low in sodium. This recipe is low in fat.



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MCDONALD'S HOT MUSTARD SAUCE FOR NUGGETS

MCDONALD'S FILET-O-FISH

MCDONALD'S LOBSTER SANDWICH

MCDONALD'S CHICKEN MCNUGGETS

MCDONALD'S CHICKEN SANDWICH


reviews & comments

  1. Pam REVIEW:
    August 17, 2020

    Love the sweet and sour sauce was awesome

  2. Sue REVIEW:
    June 28, 2020

    To dark in color and didn’t taste like McDonalds. Not sweet enough.

  3. guest May 21, 2020

    for the reviewers who are complaining it is not like the original sauce, two thoughts... 1 - this is a copycat, not the original... 2 - the brand of preserves ans salad dressing and soy sauce that you use is going to affect taste and color... soy sauces in particular vary quite a lot in color and salt content... if you really want sweet and sour that tastes like Mickey D's, go to Mickey D's and buy some. If you're interested in making a home version that is similar, try different brands of the ingredients until you get one that feels closer to the original.

  4. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    September 11, 2007

    I found this sweet and sour sauce to be better than McDonald's. It was exactly the right sweet/sour combo, and the color was appealing. My family loves it also. It will be in my refrigerator from now on. I have passed the recipe on to my friends who have given it rave reviews.

  5. ang REVIEW:
    August 31, 2007

    I agree with other rating, not same color and not same taste. Not sweet enough.

  6. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    April 4, 2007

    I don't think this tasted like McDonald's sauce at all. It was way too strong. Needs to be a lot sweeter and a lot lighter in texture. It also looks much darker in color than McDonalds. Where is the light orangish color? This looks like a dark teriyaki sauce. I had to throw it out- it was not what I was expecting and hoping for. I DID NOT LIKE IT :(

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Copycat McDonald's Sweet And Sour Sauce For Nuggets Recipe | CDKitchen (2024)

FAQs

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.

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 fruit is in sweet and sour sauce mcdonalds? ›

Wondering what's in the sweet and sour sauce from McDonald's? McDonald's Sweet 'N Sour sauce recipe blends flavors of apricot and peach with savory spices and leaves a slight lingering heat.

Is there pineapple in McDonald's sweet and sour sauce? ›

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 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 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.

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

(prepare yourselves) apricots. No – really, it's not pineapple, it's not mango. It's apricot. Now, we've got nothing against the stone fruit, but it has to be said, we absolutely did *not* expect for it to be the main ingredient used to make one of our favourite sauces from McDonald's.

What is sweet and sour sauce made from? ›

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 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.

Is McDonald's sweet and sour sauce made from apricots? ›

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.

How long is McDonald's sweet and sour sauce good for? ›

Tartar Sauce: 2 months - 1 year. Creamy Ranch Sauce: 2 months - 1 year. Sweet 'N Sour Sauce: 1-2 years.

When did Mcdonalds start serving sweet and sour sauce? ›

Dipping sauces were first introduced at McDonald's in 1982 to accompany the fast food chain's popular McNuggets, but still to this day some people aren't aware of what its Sweet 'n' Sour sauce is actually made of. And it turns out there's a particular fruit in the condiment that many people might not have expected.

What is the new McDonald's sauce in 2024? ›

McDonald's is making yet another new addition to their 2024 menu, and this time it comes in the form of a delicious new dipping sauce: Savory Chili Sauce. Dropping on Feb. 26, this new sauce will take your Chicken McNuggets to a whole new level.

What is a substitute for pineapple juice in sweet and sour sauce? ›

The balance of sweet and sour is key when it comes to replicating the taste of pineapple juice. Honey and lemon juice bring a great harmony of flavor that works especially well in sweet and sour savory dishes, sauces and marinades. Use a 1:2 ratio when substituting pineapple juice with honey and lemon juice.

Does Wendy's have sweet and sour sauce? ›

We also use familiar pantry ingredients you'd use at home, such as honey and habanero peppers in our Hot Honey sauce and dried bell peppers in our Sweet & Sour sauce. Ultimately, we strive to create a flavor experience that you can only find at Wendy's.

Why is sweet and sour sauce called sweet and sour sauce? ›

The sauce is comprised of a sweet element - sugar, honey, maple syrup or any sweetener, really - and a sour element, which generally comes from vinegar.

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.

Is sweet and sour sauce the same as orange sauce? ›

Vinegar is typically used in sweet and sour sauces, while orange chicken has an orange-based sauce. They are both made with fried chicken pieces coated in sweet and tangy sauces.

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