Limited-time menu items, like the McRib, McDonald’s only pork-burger, are certainly something that the fast food giant is no stranger to. And exclusive McDonald’s offerings don’t stop at entrees — Back in 1998, the company debuted its Szechuan Sauce as a promotional campaign for Disney’s animated feature, “Mulan.” Its flavor had a sweet and savory, umami profile with hints of garlic, ginger, soy, and a touch of vinegar. The sauce gained major popularity amongst lucky fans who were able to try it during its limited-time run. After being discontinued, Szechuan Sauce was retired until 2017, following the demand from fans of the hit show, “Rick and Morty.” This inspired McDonald’s to reproduce a limited supply of the tangy dipping sauce at select restaurants.
The re-release was so popular that McDonald’s quickly ran out of supply, causing major outrage amongst eager fans who were not able to get a taste of the elusive Szechuan Sauce. The fast food chain rolled out another run in 2018, making the condiment more accessible this time around. But the backlash continued, as the newest version’s flavor didn’t seem to satisfy customers. Fans described the taste as bland, resembling corn syrup and Worcestershire sauce (via Eater). Despite the feedback, McDonald’s surprised everyone with another three-day release of the now infamous item in March of 2022. The latest rendition could be ordered alongside chicken nuggets, or purchased a la carte via the McDonald’s app.
There are other ways to get a taste of Szechuan Sauce
At the time of publication, it’s unknown if (or when) McDonald’s Szechuan Sauce will make another comeback. Thankfully, another option bears a strong resemblance to it: Chick-Fil-A’s Polynesian sauce. This condiment won’t be an exact match as the ingredients are very different, but the fast-food chicken giant’s dipping sauce comes very close in flavor. The combination of soybean oil, dehydrated garlic and onion, and vinegars brings in that familiar umami taste with a rounding smokiness of paprika. If this doesn’t satiate one’s desire for the delicacy, fans can also try to recreate the mouthwatering sauce recipe at home. The most authentic take on the McDonald’s sauce can be achieved by mixing together a combination of soy sauce, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger, and various thickening agents on the stove.
When you are contemplating whether or not hunting for Szechuan Sauce dupes is worth the hassle, remember that it goes well with more than chicken nuggets. The popular sauce can be used in recipes like Jet Tila’s Szechuan beef stir-fry, or as a marinade for your next chicken dinner. Culinary creative types have swapped pizza sauce for Szechuan as a delicious base, topping it with paneer and fresh veggies. For fans of Asian-Mexican fusion dishes, the sauce also teams incredibly well with beef tacos, bringing in a sweet and tangy, umami zing to the savory beef dish which can be topped with lettuce, matchstick carrots, and sesame seeds.
