Copycat McDonald's Sweet & Sour Sauce
Description
The 10-minute homemade version of McDonald's Sweet 'N Sour Sauce. Apricot, peach, and a secret pinch of heat most copycats miss — perfect for nuggets, tenders, and fries. No more forgotten packets.
Ingredients
- ½ cup apricot preserves
- 2 tablespoons peach preserves
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar, or rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon yellow mustard, or ¼ tsp ground mustard
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne, or chili flakes optional
- 2 drops red food coloring, optional
Instructions
- Stir the cornstarch into the water until smooth and lump-free. Set aside.
- Blend the apricot and peach preserves until completely smooth, or push through a fine-mesh sieve.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the blended preserves, corn syrup, vinegar, soy sauce, mustard, garlic powder, and cayenne until loosened and steaming.
- Whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 3–5 minutes, whisking often, until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
- Taste and add salt as needed. Stir in food coloring now if using.
- Remove from heat and cool to room temperature (it thickens as it cools), then refrigerate in an airtight container.
Equipment
- Large Bowl
- Small Saucepan
Notes
- Stop cooking while slightly thin — it firms up in the fridge.
- Don't skip the garlic powder and pinch of heat; that's what makes it taste like the original.
- No corn syrup? Use honey or maple syrup.
- Gluten-free: use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.
- Store up to 2 weeks refrigerated or 3 months frozen.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 68kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 129mgPotassium: 20mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 57IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 0.1mg