When I discovered this twist on a traditional sweet and sour sauce, I felt intrigued. The blend of apricot preserves, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger transforms each bite into a playful experience. As a fan of copykat recipes, I love how it adds a lively burst of tang and sweetness to any meal.

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I recently decided to try my hand at making a version of McDonald’s sweet and sour sauce at home and I was kinda surprised by how easy it turned out to be. In just 5 minutes you can mix together 1/2 cup apricot preserves, 1/4 cup rice vinegar, and 1 tablespoon corn syrup to create a tangy, sweet dip that’s perfect for your favorite snacks or party dips.

I tossed in 1 teaspoon soy sauce along with a smidge of garlic powder and ginger powder to pack a punch of flavor that reminds me of my go-to Copykat Recipes and homemade sauce recipes. Its simplicity makes it a cool homemade condiment that stands alongside those classic sweet n sour sauce recipes you always remember.

Once you try this recipe sweet and sour sauce, you’ll be hooked on tweaking it for every meal. Enjoy getting creative in your kitchen, its a fun twist on fast food flavor!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really dig this recipe because it’s super quick and simple to whip up, which is perfect when I’m in a rush. I love that the sweet apricot preserves and tangy rice vinegar mix together so well to create a cool balance of flavors. Plus, the idea of being able to adjust it as I go (adding extra water or a pinch more soy sauce) makes it feel like it’s really mine to customize. And honestly, the fact that it kinda reminds me of that McDonald’s sweet and sour sauce gives me all the nostalgic vibes.

Ingredients

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Apricot preserves: Offers natural sugars and a sweet fruity flavor with a bit of fiber.
Rice vinegar: Adds a tangy sour kick while being low in calories and carbs.
Corn syrup: Thickens the sauce and sweetens it by delivering extra carbohydrates.
Soy sauce: Gives a salty, umami flavor that balances the sweet and sour notes.
Garlic powder: Provides a savory hint that makes the overall flavor deeper.
Ginger powder: Contributes a warm, slightly spicy accent to the sauce.

Ingredient Quantities

1/2 cup apricot preserves

1/4 cup rice vinegar

1 tablespoon corn syrup

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon ginger powder

2 to 3 tablespoons water

How to Make this

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1. In a small bowl, add 1/2 cup apricot preserves and 1/4 cup rice vinegar.

2. Mix in 1 tablespoon corn syrup and 1 teaspoon soy sauce until they start to combine.

3. Sprinkle in 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/8 teaspoon ginger powder.

4. Pour in 2 tablespoons water and stir everything until it is well mixed; if it seems too thick, go ahead and add a bit more water.

5. Give the mixture a good stir so that the flavors all meld together.

6. Microwave the sauce in a safe bowl for about 30 to 45 seconds, stirring halfway through.

7. Alternatively, you can heat the sauce in a small pan over medium heat for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.

8. Taste the sauce and adjust if needed, like a pinch more soy sauce or corn syrup if you want it sweeter.

9. Let the sauce sit for a minute to cool down a bit before serving.

10. Enjoy your homemade sweet and sour sauce with your favorite dishes, and don’t forget to store any leftovers in the fridge!

Equipment Needed

1. Measuring cups and spoons
2. A small mixing bowl for combining the ingredients
3. A microwave-safe bowl if you’re microwaving the sauce, or a small pan for stovetop heating
4. A spoon or spatula for stirring
5. A microwave or a stove depending on your heating method

FAQ

Is this recipe a real copy of McDonalds Sweet And Sour Sauce?

Its a pretty close home version, but keep in mind the real deal might use some extra tweaks not shared in public recipes.

Do i need to heat the sauce to mix the ingredients?

Not really, you can just mix them together in a bowl. However, if you want a thicker sauce, warming it on low heat for a few minutes works good.

How can i adjust the sauce if i prefer it thinner or thicker?

Its simple, just add about 2 to 3 tablespoons of water to get your desired consistency. For a thicker version, use less water and mix well.

Can i store the sauce for later use?

Yeah sure, store it in an airtight container in the fridge and it should be good for around a week.

What if i dont have rice vinegar?

You could use apple cider vinegar or even white vinegar, but the flavor might change a bit so its best to stick with rice vinegar if you can.

McDonald’s Sweet And Sour Sauce Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Rice vinegar: Try using apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar with a pinch of sugar
Corn syrup: You could substitute with honey or maple syrup if you’re out
Soy sauce: Tamari or coconut aminos work pretty well as alternatives
Garlic powder: Minced fresh garlic can be used but use a little less since it’s stronger
Ginger powder: Freshly grated ginger is a good swap if you prefer that fresh zing

Pro Tips

1. When you’re heating the sauce, make sure you stir it really well halfway through the process so you dont end up with hot spots or a burnt flavor. Sometimes microwaves act weird and leave cold pockets in the sauce.
2. Add the water slowly and keep checking the consistency. A little water can go a long way in thinning it out right, so if you add too much all at once, the sauce might end up too runny.
3. Always taste it after heating and let it rest a minute before serving. That resting time really helps all the flavors blend together and you can easily decide if you need a tiny bit more soy sauce or corn syrup.
4. If you decide to use the stovetop instead, keep stirring constantly. It might seem like extra work but it really helps prevent the sauce from sticking or burning at the bottom.

McDonald's Sweet And Sour Sauce Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

kcal

Equipment: 1. Measuring cups and spoons
2. A small mixing bowl for combining the ingredients
3. A microwave-safe bowl if you’re microwaving the sauce, or a small pan for stovetop heating
4. A spoon or spatula for stirring
5. A microwave or a stove depending on your heating method

Ingredients

1/2 cup apricot preserves
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 tablespoon corn syrup
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon ginger powder
2 to 3 tablespoons water

Directions

In a small bowl, add 1/2 cup apricot preserves and 1/4 cup rice vinegar.
Mix in 1 tablespoon corn syrup and 1 teaspoon soy sauce until they start to combine.
Sprinkle in 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/8 teaspoon ginger powder.
Pour in 2 tablespoons water and stir everything until it is well mixed; if it seems too thick, go ahead and add a bit more water.
Give the mixture a good stir so that the flavors all meld together.
Microwave the sauce in a safe bowl for about 30 to 45 seconds, stirring halfway through.
Alternatively, you can heat the sauce in a small pan over medium heat for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Taste the sauce and adjust if needed, like a pinch more soy sauce or corn syrup if you want it sweeter.
Let the sauce sit for a minute to cool down a bit before serving.
Enjoy your homemade sweet and sour sauce with your favorite dishes, and don’t forget to store any leftovers in the fridge!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.