A well-crafted sauce doesn’t just add flavor – it enhances the complex notes already present in a dish, bringing sweetness, spice, and depth to the surface. Sauces can also infuse unexpected elements into a dish, defying expectations and providing a totally new experience for foodies.
In the quick-service restaurant (QSR) space, defying those expectations is the key to staying competitive. 67% of today’s consumers want to see more trends in restaurant and retail spaces (Mintel 2023), which gives QSRs room to run with exciting new private label sauces. Meanwhile, 51% of consumers say limited-time offers (LTOs) are important when deciding which restaurant to visit – which presents a golden opportunity to try out the newest culinary trends.
When customers are hungry for trending flavors and limited-time offers, QSRs should look to custom sauces first. They’re cost-effective ways to transform a dish, and they create a totally unique product for your menu, setting you apart from the competition and delivering the wide array of customizable flavors customers are craving. Not sure where to start? Read on to find out more about the types of sauces we recommend for QSRs in 2024.
Types of Sauces, Explained
For Subtle Heat: Swicy (Sweet and Spicy) Sauces
The term “swicy” is used to describe sauces that balance the flavors of sweetness with a kick of heat. The sweet component provides a pleasant sweet taste, while the spicy element adds a fiery sensation to the palate – while still being approachable for customers with a lower tolerance for spice. Below are a few examples of delicious applications for swicy sauces:
- Sweet Potato Fries with Sriracha Honey Glaze: Featuring a blend of honey and Sriracha sauce, this glaze upgrades earthy sweet potato fries with a sweet and spicy kick.
- Chicken Tenders with Spicy Teriyaki Sauce: Take tenders to the next level with a kick of sweet heat, incorporating a Spicy Teriyaki Sauce for a fusion of Asian flavors.
- Grilled Shrimp with Chipotle Pineapple Salsa: A refreshing Chipotle Pineapple Salsa enhances the natural sweetness of shrimp with a spicy kick.
For Your Boldest Customers: Hot and Spicy Sauces
With 73% of consumers craving spicy flavors with their appetizers and snacks (Mintel 2023) and spicy food challenges taking over the TikTok generation, one thing is clear: hot, spicy sauces are here to stay. Although intensity levels vary, these sauces are predominantly spicy, offering a sharp, fiery flavor that ignites the taste buds with a lingering warmth. Try these flavor-packed custom sauces in the following food applications:
- Crispy Chicken Wings with Korean Gochujang Glaze: A glaze infused with trending Korean Gochujang offers intense heat and a uniquely deep, fiery flavor.
- Jalapeño Poppers with Sriracha Cream Cheese Filling: Add an extra layer of spice to cream cheese filling with the bold, tangy flavor of Sriracha.
- Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich with Chipotle Aioli: For customers craving intense spiciness, this crispy sandwich features a trendy Chipotle Aioli for a smoky and spicy flavor profile.
For Nostalgic Favorites: Sweet and Smoky Sauces
Nostalgic QSR options like burgers and chicken wings get an element of depth from these sauces – especially when intertwined with rich, smoldering undertones of charred smoky flavor. Check out these fun, flavor-forward ideas:
- Mini Sliders with Smoky Maple Glaze: Picture a savory beef patty complemented by crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and melted cheese, slathered with a Smoky Maple Glaze for an extra layer of sweetness and depth.
- Chicken Wrap with Korean BBQ Sauce: Send guests home with a satisfying handheld option featuring sweet and smoky Korean BBQ Sauce, which adds a burst of flavor to juicy grilled chicken.
- Chicken Wings with Carolina Gold Hickory BBQ Drizzle: Crispy chicken wings are coated in a sticky glaze crafted with the perfect balance of sweetness and smokiness. Then, they’re topped with a trending Carolina Gold Hickory BBQ Drizzle for an exotic and fiery experience.
For Upgrading Classic Menu Items: Tangy and Zesty Sauces
Tangy and zesty sauces offer a vibrant burst of flavor, characterized by their lively acidity and citrusy brightness. For irresistible LTOs, try incorporating a zesty citrus kick for an invigorating taste experience that refreshes the palate.
- Crispy Fish Tacos with Jalapeño Lime Crema: A bright, citrusy crema will brighten up fish fillets nestled in warm tortillas and topped with jalapeños, red onions, and cilantro.
- Grilled Chicken Salad with Yuzu Black Pepper Dressing: Liven up a go-to QSR salad with tender grilled chicken served atop a bed of mixed greens, tossed with cherry tomatoes, avocado slices, and toasted almonds, and dressed with a yuzu black pepper dressing.
- Chicken Nuggets with Honey Mustard Sauce: It doesn’t get much more classic than a savory chicken nugget – but a sweet and tangy dipping sauce takes the dish into 2024 for customers who are seeking the unexpected.
For an Indulgent Twist: Rich, Creamy Sauces
Creamy sauces are the perfect way to add a little indulgence to your menu, whether you’re crafting dipping sauces for savory sides or whipping up drizzles for health-conscious handheld entrees. Creamy sauces offer a smooth texture, a velvety mouthfeel, and a satisfying richness in dishes like the following:
- French Fries with Sriracha Aioli: Keep customers coming back with a trendy Sriracha Aioli for a rich, spicy and savory complement to crispy fries.
- Caesar Salad with Spicy Ranch Dressing: A health-conscious salad gets a modern twist thanks to creamy Spicy Ranch.
- Chicken Wraps with Chipotle Lime Crema: Zesty, creamy Chipotle Lime Crema adds richness and moisture to a savory chicken standby.
For Freshness with a Kick: Umami-Based Sauces
Umami-infused sauces are hugely popular thanks to their robust and complex flavor profile, offering a combination of savory richness, saltiness, and depth. Use a touch of umami to enhance health-conscious dishes without weighing them down:
- Teriyaki Chicken with Miso-Ginger Glaze: An umami-rich sauce like a Miso-Ginger Glaze adds depth and complexity without tacking on a heap of extra calories.
- Veggie Stir-Fry with Sesame Soy Drizzle: Vegetarians and meat-lovers alike will love the savory profile of vegetables boosted with a soy-based, umami-packed sauce for a rich and flavorful enhancement.
- Beef Bulgogi Wrap with Bulgogi Marinade: Korean-inspired wrap featuring thinly sliced beef marinated in flavorful bulgogi, grilled and wrapped in a tortilla along with fresh vegetables.
As you can see, the types of sauces available to today’s QSR innovators are vast enough to appeal to every palate. By partnering with experts in custom sauces – like the team at Giraffe Foods – you can get ahead of the competition and take your menu from ordinary to mouthwateringly delicious.
