SaveThis Polynesian sauce recipe is a homemade copycat inspired by the sweet and sour dipping sauce served at Chick-fil-A. Instead of starting with a bottled dressing, it’s made from scratch: ketchup, honey, a little sugar, white and apple cider vinegar and neutral oil, seasoned with paprika, ground mustard, onion and garlic powder. Everything goes into a jar and gets a good shake, then a short chill thickens it. It takes about 5 minutes and makes about 1 cup. Serve it with chicken nuggets, tenders, fries and egg rolls. Below you’ll find how to keep it from separating, a quick shortcut version, and how to adjust the sweetness.
What Is Polynesian Sauce?
Polynesian sauce is a glossy, red-orange sweet and sour sauce with a tangy vinegar bite and a smooth, slightly thick texture. Most copycat versions start with Catalina-style dressing, a sweet tomato-and-vinegar dressing, then add honey and extra vinegar. This recipe builds that same flavor from pantry ingredients, so you control the sweetness and salt. This is a homemade, inspired-by version, not the restaurant’s recipe.
Polynesian vs. Chick-fil-A sauce vs. sweet chili sauce
| Polynesian sauce | Chick-fil-A–style sauce | Sweet chili sauce | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Ketchup, vinegar, oil, honey | Mayo, BBQ sauce, honey, mustard | Rice vinegar, sugar, chilies |
| Color | Red-orange, glossy | Golden, creamy | Clear red with flakes |
| Flavor | Sweet and sour | Smoky, sweet, tangy | Sweet with mild heat |
| Best with | Nuggets, egg rolls | Nuggets, fries | Spring rolls, shrimp |
For the creamy house-style dip, see our Chick-fil-A sauce copycat. For a sweet sauce with gentle heat, try our sweet chili sauce. And for a thinner red sauce with soy and hot sauce for wings, see our mumbo sauce.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Neutral oil (1/3 cup): gives the sauce its glossy, smooth body. Use a mild oil such as canola or vegetable.
- Ketchup (1/4 cup): the tomato base and red color.
- Honey (3 tablespoons) and granulated sugar (2 tablespoons): the sweet side. Honey adds flavor; sugar adds clean sweetness.
- White vinegar and apple cider vinegar (2 tablespoons each): the sour side. Using both gives sharp tang with a fruity note.
- Paprika (1 teaspoon): color and mild pepper flavor.
- Ground mustard (1/2 teaspoon): helps the oil and vinegar stay mixed and adds a gentle bite.
- Onion powder and garlic powder (1/4 teaspoon each), and salt (1/2 teaspoon): savory balance.
How to Make Polynesian Sauce
- Dissolve. Add the vinegars, honey, sugar, salt, paprika, ground mustard, onion powder and garlic powder to a jar or small bowl. Stir until the sugar mostly dissolves.
- Add the ketchup and oil. Add the ketchup and neutral oil.
- Shake. Close the jar and shake hard for about 30 seconds, or whisk vigorously, until the sauce looks smooth and slightly thick. A small blender makes the most stable sauce.
- Chill. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes; it thickens as it cools. Shake again before serving.
Keeping It From Separating
Oil and vinegar naturally separate, so homemade Polynesian sauce may split as it sits. Ground mustard helps hold it together, and blending makes a firmer emulsion than whisking. If it separates in the fridge, just shake or whisk it again.
Shortcut Version
If you already have Catalina-style dressing, whisk 1/2 cup of it with 3 tablespoons honey and 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar. It’s ready right away, though the from-scratch version lets you adjust the sugar and salt.
Sweeter, Tangier or Spicy
| You want | Change |
|---|---|
| Sweeter | Add 1 more tablespoon honey |
| Tangier | Add 1 more tablespoon apple cider vinegar |
| Less sweet | Leave out the sugar |
| Spicy | Add a pinch of cayenne or 1 teaspoon sriracha |
| Smoky | Swap in smoked paprika |
Storing Polynesian Sauce
Keep the sauce in a covered jar in the refrigerator, and keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below, as the CDC recommends. Don’t leave it out for more than 2 hours. Shake well before each use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Polynesian sauce made of?
This homemade version uses ketchup, honey, sugar, white and cider vinegar, oil, paprika, ground mustard, onion powder, garlic powder and salt.
What does Polynesian sauce taste like?
Sweet and sour, like a tangy sweet-and-sour sauce with a smooth, glossy texture.
Why did my sauce separate?
Oil and vinegar separate as they sit. Shake or whisk it again, or blend it for a more stable sauce.
Is it spicy?
No. Add cayenne or sriracha if you want heat.
What do you dip in Polynesian sauce?
Chicken nuggets, tenders, fries, egg rolls and fried shrimp.
