McDonald's dips are as iconic as the food they come served with. From the humble ketchup to the fan-favourite Sweet Curry sauce, there are many to choose from.
To celebrate the Chicken McNuggets turning 40 this year, the fast food chain has added four limited edition dips to its menu – and they have gone down very well with fast food fans.
Unfortunately, the first two, the Mega Hot sauce and Garlic Mayo, left the menu today, to make way for two brand new dips – Chipotle Mayo and Creamy Ranch.
To celebrate the launch of the new dips, we decided to do the ultimate McDonald's dip taste test, and rank the dips from the best to our least favourite.
If you've come to find out exactly what sauces or dips are available on the UK menu, and what we think of them, you've come to the right place.
1. Creamy Ranch
Move over all other McDonald's dips, there's a new sherif in town. Being a big ranch fan, and finding a severe lack of the creamy American dressing in the UK, I knew I wold like this – and it didn't disappoint.
Described as a "mild and creamy" dip with green herbs, it's exactly what it says on the tin. Ranch is usually made from garlic, but this didn't have an overpowering flavour, which I think is fine.
It goes perfect with any dippable Maccies item, whether it be fries, nuggets or Chicken Selects, as it doesn't overpower. I will be getting this again, and dreading the day it leaves the menu.
2. Sweet Curry
Sweet Curry is a favourite of mine to pair with nuggets. Described as a "sweet and sharp tasting sauce with a fruity apricot flavour and delicate spices", it offers the perfect amount of sweetness.
That being said, it's quite a strong flavour, with ingredients such as ground coriander seed and other spices. So for those who still want to taste the nuggets, it might not be to everyone's taste.
3. Chipotle Mayo
It might come as a surprise that the second of the new McDonald's dip additions, the Chipotle Mayo, comes in at third place.
Although McDonald's describes it as a "spicy and smoky twist on a mayonnaise," the spice isn't too much. It has a slight kick, but nothing too crazy, which I can handle.
You can definitely taste the smoky chipotle flavour, which is like a very subtle, creamy barbecue flavour. It's very different to any other Maccies dips, and one I'll be sad to see leave the menu.
4. Sweet Chilli
The Sweet Chilli Dip comes in a bigger pot, and has notes of "chilli, garlic and pepper". Although you have to pay extra, I'd say it's well worth it for this tasty addition.
It pairs perfectly with their Halloumi Fries, and interestingly I find it spicier than the chipotle mayo. In fact, I'd say it's currently the spiciest dip on the menu right now.
It's very sweet and has a thick consistency, similar to Nando's Sweet Chilly Jam – so whether this one tickles your fancy is very much down to personal preference.
5. Sweet and Sour
Thinking about it, McDonald's Sweet and Sour Dip is very similar to the Sweet Curry Dip, bar a few different spices. Both have an apricot tang to them.
But there's no denying this is a classic dip, and because the sweet flavour isn't overpowering, it goes well with whatever you choose to dip.
It's not too sickly sweet, and has a similar feel as a watered down mango chutney, without the bits. Again, great to pair with Halloumi Fries.
6. BBQ
Another classic to pair with nuggets and a huge fan-favourite, the BBQ dip has a very distinctive smoky and sweet taste.
It's a quite overpowering flavour, which is its only downside. It makes it hard to taste the nugget through the strong ingredient flavours which includes red wine vinegar, tomato paste and smoke flavouring.
That being said, it's fan favourite for a reason. It's a really well-rounded flavour, with no tangy aftertaste.
7. Rich Tomato
This may be controversial, but I'm placing the Rich Tomato Dip ahead of classic Ketchup. Some people love it, others aren't fans.
I personally like it, but it tastes more like a pasta sauce than a normal tomato ketchup. It has a heavy tomato purée flavour, and the herbs give it that pizza base feeling.
It's quite sweet, and gives something different to those who don't want the standard condiment.
8. Ketchup
Okay, ketchup is going to be number one on many McDonald's fans lists, but I'm usually looking for something a bit more adventurous. Unless I'm just having fries, it just won't cut it for me.
But what is there to say? It's a classic, staple item for those who don't want anything too overpowering.
Fun fact, McDonald's Ketchup isn't Heinz, so it does taste quite different. Heinz contains onion powder and "spice" while McDonald's doesn't.
9. Sour Cream and Chive
Another quite bland flavour, and despite being its creamy cousin, it's nowhere near as good as the Ranch. I find the Sour Cream and Chive Dip a bit too flavourless to pair with fries and nuggets, but it's actually quite nice to have with things that have a bit more of a kick, to cool the flavour down.
I'd have this dip more for the cooling sensation than the flavour. For me, it just has a tangy aftertaste.
McDonald's describes it as having a "thick texture with soft chive pieces," although for me those herbs don't give off much flavour.
10. Smoky BBQ
This is the only dip I actively don't like, and wouldn't order again. The Smoky BBQ dip, which smells overwhelmingly of honey, has a "sweet tomato flavour and notes of chipotle chilli and smoke," says McDonald's.
I'm not a fan of the aftertaste, and it is completely different to the classic BBQ we all know and love. The honey makes it overly sweet and sharp for my liking.
Which is your favourite McDonald's Dip? Let us know in the comment section below.
