For Gen Z, sauce is the main character of the meal. A staggering 90% confirming they have asked for extra sauce at a fast-food restaurant with 23% using sauce every day. It has also been revealed that 62% of all McDonald’s customers keep spare Maccies sauces at home for everyday use. This is according to new research from McDonald’s UK, revealing just how passionately Brits feel about their condiments, with ketchup emerging as the nation’s favourite condiment. The study celebrates the launch of three exciting new McDonald’s dips in the UK – Hot Honey, Korean BBQ and Ranch.
The study of 2,000 UK adults found that 44% believe sauce can make or break a dish, while 73% say certain foods simply aren’t complete without it, revealing a nation united by its belief that sauce is the star, but divided by messy bottle lids, double dipping and what combinations make most sense.
McDonald’s Sauces: A Cultural Phenomenon
The research reveals a deep national affection for McDonald’s sauces…
- 62% of McDonald’s customers keep the brand’s spare sauces at home.
- 24% have visited McDonald’s specifically to satisfy a sauce craving.
On average, McDonald’s customers use just under two sauces per McDonald’s meal, with Gen Z far more likely to mix and match multiple options.
Sauce Is a Staple – Especially for Gen Z
Tomato ketchup remains the UK’s undisputed favourite, with 51% of sauce lovers using it regularly. Fries top the list of foods sauce lovers always pair with sauce (67%), a food which McDonald’s UK is World-Famous for, while one in three (30%) boldly claim all foods should be dipped in sauce, the food merely being used as a vessel for the main character, the sauce.
The UK’s Biggest ‘Sauce Icks’: Messy Lids Top the List
When it comes to sauce etiquette, Brits have strong feelings. The nation’s biggest “ick” is messy bottle lids, cited by 39% of respondents – far ahead of double dipping (16%) or dipping after licking fingers (19%). Women and Baby Boomers are the most easily put off, with nearly half of each group calling messy lids unacceptable. 12% of Brits said pairing weird combinations that should not work gives them the ick.
Sauce Spats: One in Five Have Argued Over Condiments
Sauce preferences are surprisingly contentious. 21% of sauce lovers admit to arguing with someone close to them over sauce, rising sharply to 43% among Gen Z. Ketchup and mayonnaise, the nation’s favourites, are also the sauces most likely to spark conflict.
Hannah Pain, Marketing & Menu Director at McDonald’s UK & Ireland said: “Brits don’t just love sauces; they are building full‑on home stashes. With 62% of McDonald’s customers keeping spare sauces at home, it’s clear the nation’s condiment game and love for our sauce icons are serious. From messy‑lid icks to secret McDonald’s hoards, sauce shapes what we eat, what we crave, and even what we argue about. The UK’s sauce culture is unstoppable.”
McDonald’s is turning up the flavour this summer with three bold new dips crafted to meet the growing appetite for globally inspired tastes. The new Hot Honey Dip brings together sweet honey and a chilli kick for a perfectly balanced heat that lifts every bite of Chicken Selects® or Chicken McNuggets®. The new Ranch Dip lands with cool, creamy buttermilk, fresh herbs and garlic notes for a refreshing, tangy contrast. Completing the trio, the Korean BBQ Dip blends sweet soy, ginger, and garlic for deep umami richness – a modern twist on the classic BBQ profile. Available in restaurants from July 14th for a limited time only.
