Last year I jumped to the opportunity to try some new dipping sauces by McDonald’s. I wasn’t sure what to expect and my tastebuds are still begging me to recreate the McDonald’s Szechuan dipping sauce (it’s coming soon, I promise). Six months later, I’m getting a craving for that mambo sauce again. If you want to get a good laugh, here is my review.
They only had this sauce for a month and it was gone.
To describe the taste I would say that I thought it had notes of tropical in it, which makes sense as many Mambo Sauces use pineapple. I loved how this sauce had just a hint of heat on the back end. I couldn’t wait to recreate this sauce and relive the experience!
Whether you’re missing your fave limited-time item or have a severe case of FOMO, you’ll want to bookmark our Copycat McDonald’s Mambo Sauce Recipe. It’s the perfect sauce for dipping nuggets and fries, but you can also use it to glaze shrimp or to top fried rice. The best part? You can make a batch in less than 10 minutes.
McDonald’s Mambo Sauce 101
What is Mambo Sauce anyway? Here’s the 411.
- McDonald’s fans loved Mambo Sauce so much that some have a large stash in their sock drawer..now that’s hoarding with a purpose.
- Mambo Sauce pays homage to the BBQ culture of Washington, D.C., and Chicago, where it’s served as an exclusive wing topping.
- Everyone has their own twist on the recipe, but the basic Mambo Sauce elements are ketchup, hot sauce, pepper, salt, and vinegar.
- Mambo Sauce was invented in the 1960s at a D.C. wing restaurant looking to freshen its menu.
- McDonald’s introduced their Sweet and Spicy Jam simultaneously with Mambo Sauce, giving customers both an Asian and Chicago-inspired option. Sweet and Spicy Jam made history as the chain’s first breakfast sauce.
- Mambo Sauce is also called Mumbo Sauce in some areas.
Cost Benefits of Making Our Copycat McDonald’s Mambo Sauce Recipe
It’s no secret that discontinued McDonald’s items sell for quite a bit on eBay and other reselling platforms…and the longer the item has been out of stock, the higher the price! 2 small containers of Mambo Sauce will cost you at least $10 on eBay, plus shipping. In comparison, you can make a little over a cup of Copycat McDonald’s Mambo Sauce Recipe for $1.41. Keep in mind this may differ based on your locale.
Here’s how that breaks down:
- Sugar: $0.38
- Ketchup: $0.53
- White wine or apple cider vinegar: $0.20
- Hot sauce: $0.03
- Tamari or soy sauce: $0.10
- Cayenne pepper: $0.05
- Smoked paprika: $0.10
- Cornstarch: $0.01
- Salt: $0.01
Total cost per person $1.41
Most people already have many of these ingredients in their pantry, making this recipe incredible convenient. If you generously divided it into four, it would cost just $0.35 a serving. Plus, you won’t have to waste time trying to find someone selling the sauce!
How to Make McDonald’s Mambo Sauce Recipe
Here’s how to make a replica of McDonald’s Mambo Sauce Recipe. This recipe makes about 1 cup, or enough to serve 4-6 people.
One Step Process: Make the Sauce
In a large bowl, combine the sugar, ketchup, water, vinegar, hot sauce, soy sauce, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, cornstarch, and salt until smooth. You can also use a food processor, immersion blender, or Magic Bullet. Enjoy!
What to Serve With McDonald’s Mambo Sauce Recipe
This recipe goes great with our Copycat McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets, but you can also use it to top our Copycat McDonald’s Snack Wraps. Or, get traditional and use it to dip your shrimp or glaze fried rice. Chicago and D.C. natives would tell you to put it on anything and everything, including ribs, pulled pork, and sandwiches. The sky’s the limit!
RELATED: The Genius of McDonald’s Sweet and Spicy Jam Recipe
Storing Leftover McDonald’s Mambo Sauce
You can store leftover McDonald’s Mambo Sauce in the fridge for about a week or freeze it for about a month. Keep in mind that if thawing from frozen, your texture may be a little different than if you are making it fresh.
Customize Your Mambo Sauce
Here are some simple ways you can customize your McDonald’s Mambo Sauce.
- Add a dash of pineapple sauce for tropical flair.
- If you prefer more heat, substitute the hot sauce for habanero sauce.
- Add a little more cornstarch for a thicker glaze, perfect for your Asian-fusion recipes. To thicken the sauce even further, add a tablespoon of tomato paste.
- You’ll notice you have two vinegar options: apple cider vinegar for a fruity taste and white wine vinegar for a savory option.
- Swap white sugar for brown sugar, honey, or coconut sugar for a darker taste.
- Add a little grated ginger and lemon juice if you want your Mambo Sauce to taste fresh.
I Love the McDonald’s Mambo Sauce Recipe
The McDonald's Mambo Sauce is a huge hit for family parties, game night, and any other event with friends and family. The mambo sauce is a great dipping sauce that adds the tangy sweet heat for finger foods such as wings or chicken nuggets; or it also makes a great sauce for chips. The mambo sauce uses very common ingredients so you'll save a lot of money having this as your 'go to' sauce. It's Mambo Time!
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk or Spoon
- Food Processor
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons white wine or apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
In a large bowl, combine the sugar, ketchup, water, vinegar, hot sauce, soy sauce, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, cornstarch, and salt until smooth. You can also use a food processor, immersion blender, or Magic Bullet. Enjoy!