Copycat Mumbo® Sauce Recipe - Sauce Fanatic (2024)

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This copycat mumbo sauce recipe is sweet, tangy, and can be made right at home. It takes just 5 ingredients to make and is best enjoyed with chicken wings, french fries, and fried shrimp.

If you never tried Mumbo sauce before, you’re in for a real treat! This sweet and spicy sauce resembles Chinese sweet and sour sauce but it is SO much better. And you can eat it with all the fried foods.

Copycat Mumbo® Sauce Recipe - Sauce Fanatic (1)

Table of Contents

  • 1 Copycat Capital City Mumbo Sauce
  • 2 Mumbo Sauce Ingredients:
  • 3 How to Make Mumbo Sauce Sauce:
  • 4 Ways to use Mumbo Sauce:
  • 5 How to Store Homemade Mumbo Sauce:
  • 6 Copycat Mumbo® Sauce

Copycat Capital City Mumbo Sauce

Mumbo sauce or Mambo sauce depending on who you ask is a bright red condiment that is tangy and sweet.

You can find this sauce at every Chinese and soul food restaurant in D.C. Each restaurant has its own variation and the sauces can vary in consistency, sweetness, and tanginess.

Similar to buffalo sauce, mumbo sauce is the best on chicken wings! But you can dip fried shrimp and french fries in the sauce. Some even like to pour it over rice.

We worked hard to recreate this sauce so we can always have some on hand. We use it for pretty much anything that is fried!

However you decide to use the sauce, I’m sure we’ll all agree that it’s finger-lickin’ good!

Copycat Mumbo® Sauce Recipe - Sauce Fanatic (2)

Mumbo Sauce Ingredients:

To make this copycat mumbo sauce recipe, you will need:

  • Ketchup: Because it’s easier than making it completely from scratch.
  • Sugar: This sauce is sweet but you can adjust the sweetness to your taste.
  • Paprika: Look for smoked paprika, it just tastes better
  • Hot sauce: We love to use Texas Pete because it works best with the flavor of the sauce.
  • Vinegar:Use white vinegar and feel free to add more if you want it tangier.
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How to Make Mumbo Sauce Sauce:

To make this homemade mumbo sauce, simply…

  1. Place all the ingredients into a saucepan and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.Depending on how you want to use the sauce, you may want to simmer it longer so that it’s thicker.
  2. Use it right away or refrigerate it for later. Allow it to cool before serving.
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Ways to use Mumbo Sauce:

There are quite a few ways you can use this mumbo sauce recipe.

  • Toss the warm sauce over freshly fried chicken wings, fried tofu, or fried seafood.
  • Use it as a dip for fried seafood, french fries, or eggrolls.
  • Drizzle it over fried rice, pulled pork, ribs, or eggs.
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How to Store Homemade Mumbo Sauce:

Refrigerate– Cool for 1 hour then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Freeze– Cool for 2 hours then transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight then bring to room temperature before serving.

In case you really enjoy sweet sauces here’s a list of others to try!

  • Honey Sriracha Sauce
  • Sesame Chicken Sauce
  • Easy Caramel Sauce

Copycat Mumbo® Sauce

4.52 from 560 votes

Copycat Mumbo® Sauce Recipe - Sauce Fanatic (6)

This copycat mumbo sauce recipe is sweet, tangy, and can be made right at home. It takes just 5 ingredients to make and is best enjoyed with chicken wings, french fries, and fried shrimp.

Sauce Fanatic

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Serving Size 16

Ingredients

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ cup hot sauce
  • 3 tablespoons white vinegar

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes until sauce has thickened.

  • Allow sauce to cool before using or serve warm.

Make ahead tip

  • Refrigerate – Cool for 1 hour then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Bring to room temperature before serving.

  • Freeze – Cool for 2 hours then transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight then bring to room temperature before serving.

Notes

Hot Sauce: Texas Pete works great but use any hot sauce you prefer.

Makes about 2 cups.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tablespoons | Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.05g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 236mg | Potassium: 58mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 299IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.2mg

CourseCourse: Condiments

CuisineCuisine: American

Copycat Mumbo® Sauce Recipe - Sauce Fanatic (2024)

FAQs

What is mumbo sauce made of? ›

Whisk 1 cup ketchup, ½ cup distilled white vinegar, ½ cup (packed) dark brown sugar, ¼ cup soy sauce, 2 Tbsp. hot sauce, 2 Tbsp. pineapple juice, 2 tsp. sweet paprika, 1 tsp.

What's in mambo sauce McDonald's? ›

The McDonald's version is made with ketchup, onion powder, vinegar, cayenne pepper, garlic powder and soy sauce, so not too far from the original ingredients.

What is the difference between mild sauce and mambo sauce? ›

Mild and mumbo are more like cousins than sisters, as the flavors are different but share similar applications. Mumbo sauce is sweeter and usually lighter in color. While its profile resembles sweet-and-sour sauce, mild sauce relies heavily on vinegar and barbecue spices to punch up its flavors.

What is the flavor of mumbo sauce? ›

Mumbo sauce or mambo sauce is a condiment developed and popularized at take-out restaurants in Washington, D.C.. The red-orange sauce is similar to barbecue sauce, but somewhat sweeter, and also somewhat spicier or more sour. (There is some variation in flavor and consistency.)

What is mambo sauce similar to? ›

We tried McDonald's new Mambo sauce

It compares to a syrupy Thai chili sauce. Mumbo sauces differ from carryout to carryout in D.C. And the McDonald's version definitely has a cayenne hit.

Is mumbo sauce the same as mambo sauce? ›

Some people call it “mambo.” Some people call it “mumbo.” I think it just depends on who you ask. I don't think there's one right way or one wrong way. The carryouts are where mumbo sauce is defined. If you talk to anyone that's from D.C., they will tell you their favorite place that has their favorite mumbo sauce.

What sauce did McDonald's get rid of? ›

Fans of Adult Swim's cult favorite animated show have been clamoring for McDonald's to bring back Szechuan dipping sauce since the discontinued dip got mentioned on the show in 2017. The chain tried to make diners happy back in October, but only offered a limited amount of sauce, and only at certain locations.

What is the new McDonald's sauce 2024? ›

Trying McDonalds New Savory Chili Sauce!

Why did McDonald's add mambo sauce? ›

“McDonald's has a long history of trying to figure out how to market products to Black consumers specifically,” she added, “and the release of mumbo sauce calls to mind these attempts from the past, which gestures toward their success in marketing to Black diners, as well as trying to use Black culture, popular figures ...

Why did McDonald's make mambo sauce? ›

For McDonald's, the team wanted to create a sauce that was sweet and vinegary with a little spice at the end. They also had to make sure it was an actual dipping-style sauce: “As soon as you dip your chicken nugget in there, it coats it perfectly. You get this nice reddish orange hue to it. It's super tasty.”

What is KFC mambo sauce? ›

Known for its unique sweet, spicy and tangy flavor profile, Sweet Hot Capital City mambo sauce perfectly complements KFC's world-famous fried chicken and your favorite sides! Please see below for the full list of participating restaurants: Washington D.C. Dallas. Atlanta.

What is ghost sauce? ›

A traditional tomato, vinegar-based pepper sauce with the heat of ghost peppers.

What is the famous sauce in Chicago? ›

A Chicago favorite since 1950s, Harold's Chicken Mild Sauce is sure to impress even the most discerning palate. With its unique blend of flavors that are neither too hot nor too mild but just right for everyone's taste buds—it's a must-have condiment at your next family dinner or party!

What is AAA sauce? ›

AAA - Authentic recipe of Chinese Cuisine sauce, Triple A Superior Quality Black Bean sauce. Extremely Thick Black beans. Convenient without Troubles. Able to cook anything which is suitable to go with.

Is mambo sauce spicy ketchup? ›

Regardless, the bright-red, spicy, sweet sauce is as essential as napkins and to-go boxes at many of D.C.'s carry-out Chinese and soul food restaurants. Mumbo contains most of the same elements as ketchup, and can vary in sweetness and consistency from restaurant to restaurant.

Is mumbo sauce barbecue sauce? ›

MUMBO is more than just a traditional barbecue sauce. It's perfect balance of sweet, tangy and spice offers versatility and exceptional flavor to everything you cook and grill.

Is mumbo sauce spicy? ›

Crafted by Chicago pit master and entrepreneur Argia B. Collins, MUMBO SAUCE strikes a perfect balance between sweet, tangy and spicy.

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