McDonald's Sauces You Won't Find In The US

When it comes to fast-food giants, McDonald's stands proudly at the forefront, captivating hearts, minds, and taste buds worldwide. But there's a secret hidden beneath those golden arches: a diverse array of delectable sauces that have yet to grace the palates of American patrons.

McDonald's has crafted a range of mouthwatering sauces tailored to suit the culinary preferences of different regions. Prepare to embark on a voyage of taste and discovery as we traverse continents and delve into the flavors that define McDonald's sauces abroad. While some sauces embrace familiar flavors with a subtle twist, others venture into uncharted territory.

It might seem like McDonald's is a constant that's the same everywhere, but step into one of its restaurants in another country and you might be surprised at what you see on the menu. Australia may be a little far to go to get McChicken Sauce with your fries, but we can understand the temptation. So, sit back and let's explore some of the many McDonald's sauces you won't find in the U.S.

If you're obsessed with the sauce that goes in a McChicken chicken sandwich, you'll be pleased to know you can get cups of McChicken Sauce at McDonald's in Australia. A trip to Macca's — as they call it down under — wouldn't be complete without a taste of this delightful sauce.

You might be asking, "Isn't McChicken sauce just mayonnaise?" and the answer to that is a resounding "no." Although it's mayonnaise-based, this sauce has a blend of additional ingredients that sets it apart. McChicken Sauce perfectly balances tanginess, creaminess, and a hint of spice. This delectable condiment has become an integral part of the McChicken's appeal, and Aussies have taken it one step further. Its availability as a dipping sauce means McDonald's fans can use it to dip fries, nuggets, and anything else that takes their fancy.

While you might have quite a trip ahead of you should you want to get some McChicken Sauce to go with your fries, it is available a little closer to home. You can't get it in dip cups in Canada, but you can buy bottles of it at the grocery store.

Among the hidden treasures available at McDonald's in the U.K. is Balsamic Dressing. Although it's labeled as a dressing, rather than a dip, McDonald's Balsamic Dressing deserves a spot on the list of sauces available outside the U.S.

Instead of being thin and tart, like standard balsamic vinegar, Balsamic Dressing is thickened and sweetened to make it more akin to a balsamic glaze. Its texture makes it perfectly suitable for dipping fries and nuggets or spreading onto burgers. With its rich, dark, and sweet flavor profile, balsamic vinegar adds a sophisticated twist to this beloved dip.

If you've been looking to take your McDonald's game up a level, this sauce makes your meal feel fancy — however, those of us in the U.S. will have to travel a long way to acquire it. If you find yourself craving a McDonald's meal while visiting the U.K., this is your chance to give it a whirl. Alternatively, if you want to get the same effect closer to home, try using a store-bought balsamic glaze to dip your fries into or drizzle on your burger.

Think about some of the flavors and ingredients commonly used in Japanese cooking, and sour cream and lemon might not be the first pairing that comes to mind. However, if you were conjuring up images of bonito flakes and teriyaki sauce, you may be surprised that Sour Cream and Lemon Sauce is an option in Japanese McDonald's. Tangy lemon cuts through the creaminess of sour cream to create a dip that's refreshing and delicious.

It's currently available as a limited edition offering with spicy McNuggets. The freshness of the lemon and the cooling nature of sour cream tempers the spice somewhat, creating a more enjoyable experience. However, as any true McDonald's Stan will know, discontinued and limited edition McDonald's dipping sauces aren't necessarily gone forever. There have been plenty of examples of sauces returning or making their way to other parts of the world, so you might get a chance to try Sour Cream and Lemon Sauce in the U.S.

Fans of the limited edition BTS Meal might remember McDonald's Sweet Chili Sauce. However, in certain territories, it's a permanent part of the menu. Both in Germany and the U.K., you can get Sweet Chili Sauce (or Sweet Chilli Dip, as it's known in the UK) on any day of the week. This sauce showcases the distinctive taste of chili peppers, which provide a subtle heat that's complemented by sweetness. This combination creates a sauce that adds a flavorful punch to a wide range of McDonald's menu items.

If you've ever eaten sweet chili sauce from a bottle that you might find at a grocery store or an Asian market, you already know what to expect from McDonald's Sweet Chili sauce. The base of the sauce is pleasantly sweet, but not overwhelmingly so. It's studded with chili flakes to bring some heat to the party, but it isn't overly spicy, like hot sauce. There's also a liberal dose of garlic in the mix, making it flavorful rather than simply spicy.

Head over to the U.K. and you'll find Sweet Curry Dip on the McDonald's menu. Curry sauce might sound like a left-field choice for a fast food restaurant, but people in the UK have a long tradition of enjoying curry sauce with chips (fries, for American readers). In fact, chips and curry sauce is a delicacy found at chip shops. 

McDonald's version has an added hit of sweetness that comes from apricot puree. The result is sticky, sweet, and delicious, with a slight sharpness from vinegar to balance it out. It's the perfect balance of flavors, with a touch of sweetness that complements the aromatic curry notes. This Sweet Curry Dip has a unique charm that sets it apart from other condiments.

While it's a popular choice for dipping fries into, you can also use this sauce for nuggets, burgers, and anything else that can either be dipped into it or have it slathered on top. There's something about the combination of McDonald's classics with the sweet and savory allure of curry that makes this sauce a standout.

If you're a fan of that classic Caesar salad flavor, then you'd be right at home in Germany or Australia. There, you can get McDonald's Caesar Dressing on the menu to use however you like. It might seem strange that such a basic sauce hasn't made it onto U.S. menus, but that's the way the crouton crumbles.

Now, when you think of McDonald's, you might immediately think of burgers and fries, but its Caesar Dressing is definitely worth exploring. It's a creamy and tangy dressing that brings a whole lot of flavor to your food. Naturally, you'll think "salad" when you hear the words "Caesar Dressing" but that's not the end of it. The creamy richness of Caesar Dressing makes it a great dipping sauce for fries and McNuggets, as well as a tasty addition to a burger or wrap.

In Australia, it's known as Creamy Caesar Dressing, while in Germany, it's simply called Caesar Dressing. Names aside, you can expect the ingredients and flavor profile to be much the same.

Known mysteriously as Dip Cocktail — or Cocktail Dip — this German delight started out as an addition to fried shrimp. This sauce is similar to a standard American shrimp cocktail sauce, but creamier and milder, with no horseradish. It contains tangy tomato paste and vinegar tempered with creamy yogurt, plus added flavor from spicy mustard and celery.

Although fried shrimp appears to no longer be on German Mcdonald's menu, fans of this sauce in Germany can order it on its own, using it as a dip for McNuggets, fries, and all the other great foods at German McDonald's. If you're a fan of cocktail sauce, you might be wondering why fate befell you and why you weren't born in Germany to enjoy this taste sensation. Sadly, that's life, and it doesn't seem like this sauce is likely to come across the pond to the U.S. any time soon — still, you can dream!