McDonalds Sweet Sour Sauce (Printable Version)

Tangy apricot-pineapple dipping sauce ready in 15 minutes. Perfect for nuggets, fries, or stir-fry dishes.

# What You Need:

→ Base

01 - 1/2 cup apricot preserves
02 - 1/4 cup canned pineapple juice
03 - 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
04 - 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
05 - 3 tablespoons ketchup
06 - 2 teaspoons soy sauce
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Thickener

08 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch
09 - 2 tablespoons cold water

→ Optional for Extra Zest

10 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

# How To Make It:

01 - In a small saucepan, combine apricot preserves, pineapple juice, vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, and salt.
02 - Place over medium heat and whisk until smooth and heated through, about 3–4 minutes.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry.
04 - Pour the slurry into the saucepan while stirring constantly.
05 - Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, whisking frequently, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy (about 2–3 minutes).
06 - If using, stir in garlic powder and onion powder for extra depth.
07 - Remove from heat and let cool slightly before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes with pantry staples you probably already have
  • The flavor is spot on to what you remember from the drive thru, but fresher and more vibrant
02 -
  • The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools, so do not panic if it looks slightly thin in the pan
  • Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and the sauce will keep perfectly for one week
03 -
  • Use real apricot preserves rather than jam for the best texture and authentic flavor
  • Let the sauce cool completely before refrigerating to prevent condensation from thinning it out

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