SaveThis mumbo sauce recipe makes a glossy, sweet, tangy and lightly spicy red sauce, also spelled mambo sauce, that’s served on fried chicken wings and fries. Ketchup, white vinegar, sugar, soy sauce and hot sauce simmer together with a little smoked paprika and garlic powder for about 10 minutes, until the sugar dissolves and the flavors blend. Pour it over wings, toss it with fried chicken or set it out for dipping. Below you’ll find what each ingredient does, how it differs from other ketchup-based sauces, and how to make it sweeter, hotter or thicker.
What Is Mumbo Sauce?
Mumbo sauce is a sweet-and-sour, slightly spicy sauce built on ketchup, vinegar and sugar, with soy sauce for savory depth and hot sauce for a little kick. It’s pourable and glossy, sweeter than barbecue sauce and tangier than ketchup. Recipes vary in sweetness, thickness and heat, so this version sits in the middle and is easy to adjust.
Mumbo sauce vs. Arby’s sauce and honey BBQ sauce
| Mumbo sauce | Arby’s sauce (copycat) | Honey BBQ sauce | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Ketchup, vinegar, sugar | Ketchup, water, vinegar | Ketchup, honey |
| Savory note | Soy sauce | Onion and garlic powder | Worcestershire, smoked paprika |
| Flavor | Sweet, tangy, lightly spicy | Tangy, mildly sweet | Sweet, smoky |
| Best with | Wings, fried chicken, fries | Roast beef sandwiches | Ribs, grilled chicken |
For a thinner, less sweet sandwich sauce, try our copycat Arby’s sauce. For a buttery, hotter wing sauce, see our homemade buffalo sauce.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ketchup (1 cup): the tomato base, with sweetness and body.
- Distilled white vinegar (1/2 cup): the sharp tang that defines the sauce.
- Granulated sugar (1/3 cup): sweetness that balances the vinegar. Brown sugar gives a deeper flavor.
- Soy sauce (1/4 cup): salty, savory depth.
- Hot sauce (2 tablespoons): gentle heat. A vinegar-based Louisiana-style hot sauce fits best.
- Smoked paprika (1 teaspoon): color and a mild smoky note.
- Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): savory background flavor.
- Honey (1 tablespoon, optional): extra gloss and sweetness.
How to Make Mumbo Sauce
- Whisk. In a medium saucepan, whisk the ketchup, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, hot sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder and honey (if using) until smooth.
- Simmer. Heat over medium until it starts to bubble, then reduce to low and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until the sugar dissolves and the sauce turns glossy.
- Cool. Take the pan off the heat. The sauce thickens a little as it cools.
- Adjust. Taste and add more sugar, hot sauce or vinegar to suit you. Thin with a spoonful of water if needed.
Sweeter, Hotter or Thicker
| You want | Change |
|---|---|
| Sweeter | Add 1 to 2 tablespoons more sugar or honey |
| Hotter | Add more hot sauce or 1/4 teaspoon cayenne |
| Tangier | Add 1 to 2 tablespoons more vinegar |
| Thicker | Simmer a few minutes longer |
| Thinner | Stir in water, 1 tablespoon at a time |
| Fruity | Replace 2 tablespoons of the vinegar with pineapple juice |
Wings, Fries and Food Safety
Pour it over hot fried wings or chicken tenders, toss it with crispy fried chicken, or set it out as a dip for fries and onion rings. It’s also good drizzled over fried rice or shrimp. Cook chicken to 165°F, as the CDC recommends. Chill leftovers, covered, within 2 hours of cooking, with your fridge at 40°F or below.
Allergen note: soy sauce contains soy and usually wheat. For a gluten-free sauce, use a soy sauce alternative labeled gluten-free and check your other labels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mumbo sauce made of?
Most recipes use ketchup, vinegar and sugar, with soy sauce and hot sauce. Some add pineapple juice, paprika or garlic.
Is mumbo sauce the same as mambo sauce?
Yes. Both spellings are used for the same sweet, tangy red sauce.
Is mumbo sauce spicy?
It’s mildly spicy. Stir in extra hot sauce or a little cayenne for more heat.
Is mumbo sauce like sweet and sour sauce?
They’re related: both are sweet and tangy. Mumbo sauce uses ketchup, soy sauce and hot sauce, so it’s redder, more savory and a little spicy.
How should I store mumbo sauce?
Once cool, store it in a lidded jar in the fridge at 40°F or below, and stir before using.
