McDonald’s might be known for its Happy Meals, Chicken McNuggets and its iconic hashbrowns, however, no order is complete without sauces. McDonald’s has an extensive assortment of condiments available to complement nearly every menu item.
Last month, the fast-food chain added two new limited edition dipping sauces to the menu: Mambo Sauce and Sweet & Spicy Jam—now this is a big deal. I knew I need to give the new sauces a shot, but while I was there I thought it would be fun to try them all so I could rank McDonald’s dipping sauces from worst to first. After dipping and dunking and then dunking some more, here’s where I landed.
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The Best McDonald’s Dipping Sauces, Ranked
9. Ketchup, Mustard and Mayo
At the very bottom of the list, I’d put ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise. Not because they are bad per se, but they just aren’t nearly as good as the other McDonald’s sauces on this list. You can’t go wrong with and of them, but there are so many other options to choose from it seems like a no-brainer to opt for anything but these basic choices. That said, if you’re a mayochup fan, ask for ketchup and mayonnaise and DIY your own sauce for your burger, fries or nuggets.
McDonald's
8. Spicy Buffalo Sauce
Buffalo sauce is always going to be at the bottom of the list because I’m not a spice person. This wasn’t the spiciest buffalo sauce I’ve ever had, but it had enough of a kick that I needed to grab a drink. I didn’t get much of the “buttery” flavor that’s described on the menu, but more of the peppery and vinegary aftertaste.
McDonald's
7. Ranch Sauce
Ranch is always a solid option, but I wasn’t a fan of this one. Although it’s described as being creamy, it seemed pretty watery to me. When I want ranch sauce, I’m looking for a thick sauce with some cling to it. Plus, I don’t think it really pairs well with anything on the McDonald’s menu—maybe the Spicy McCrispy, but that’s about it.
McDonald's
6. Tangy BBQ Sauce
Based on McDonald’s menu description, its Tangy BBQ sauce is made with “tomato paste base, vinegar, and savory spices with a hint of sweet hickory smoke flavor.” This is by no means as good as a barbecue sauce you’d find at a proper barbecue joint, but it gets the job done. It has just enough smoky flavor to add to nuggets and fries without being overwhelming.
5. Sweet & Spicy Jam (Limited Edition)
I was a bit nervous about trying the sweet and spicy jam since I’m not generally a fan of spice, but I wanted to see what the hype was about. McDonald’s describes the sauce as a “jammy red pepper sauce” with Szechuan peppercorn and cayenne pepper finished with apple cider vinegar. I think it was the consistency that sold it for me. It was viscous but not too thick, which made it perfect for dipping. While I wouldn’t put this on a McDouble, I think it’s a solid option for nuggets when you’re in the mood for something with a bit of heat that won’t have your eyes watering.
Related: McDonald’s Drops Two New Sauces
McDonald's
4. Honey
Honey isn’t a condiment you see every day at a fast food restaurant like McDonald’s, but it’s available if you ask. I didn’t like it with my nuggets, but if you’re into the savory-sweet thing, it might be for you.
3. Mambo Sauce (Limited Edition)
It’s hard to put into words what this sauce tasted like, but I’m going to give it a try. For some background, McDonald’s describes its limited-edition Mambo sauce as “tomato-based, sweet, spicy and vinegary.” That said, I’d say it tastes like a combination of ketchup and barbecue sauce. I didn’t find it to be spicy at all, surprisingly, but more pungent and sharp. A little went a long way with this one so you won’t need more than a pack or two at most.
McDonald's
2. Sweet N’ Sour Sauce
I’m a sweet and sour gal through and through, so the fact that this was #2 on my list makes sense. McDonald’s describes the sauce as having “flavors of apricot and peach with savory spices” and they aren’t wrong. It’s definitely more on the sweeter side so I couldn’t see myself putting this on a burger, but it pairs well with nuggets for sure.
McDonalds
1. Honey Mustard Sauce
Remember how I said I’m a sweet-and-sour girl? I’m also a self-proclaimed honey mustard connoisseur. Honey mustard is always my condiment of choice and, in my book, it has to be more sweet than biting. According to the online menu, McDonald’s honey mustard is “a unique blend of zesty Dijon mustard with sweet notes of honey and a hint of spices.” I think that description does it justice because it’s sweet and zesty all in one. I think this sauce is ideal for dipping nuggets into and even fries when you want that extra bit of sweetness with each bite.
Next up: All About Wendy’s Breakfast
