McDonald's Sweet and Sour Sauce (Printable)

Tangy, sweet condiment inspired by the classic fast-food favorite.

# What You'll 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 smooth slurry.
04 - Pour the slurry into the saucepan while stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
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 of flavor.
07 - Remove from heat and let cool slightly before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • You probably have everything in your pantry right now, meaning emergency dipping sauce is always 15 minutes away
  • The apricot preserves create that signature fruity sweetness without the artificial aftertaste of store bought versions
02 -
  • The sauce continues to thicken as it cools, so do not panic if it seems slightly thin in the pan
  • Always use a stainless steel or nonreactive pan because the acid can react with aluminum and create off flavors
03 -
  • Use room temperature ingredients to prevent lumps when mixing the cornstarch slurry
  • The secret restaurant style flavor comes from slightly overcooking the base mixture before adding the thickener

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