Prices are approximate and vary by restaurant. Last updated October 2026.
Nobody plans a McDonald’s trip around the dips, yet somehow the dip choice becomes the most debated part of every group order. Sweet Curry loyalists will defend their pick to the death, BBQ traditionalists refuse to budge, and the Garlic Mayo converts act like they have discovered a secret the rest of us missed. The UK dip range is small enough to learn in one sitting — but there are a couple of quirks (two different pot sizes, two different price points, and a limited-edition guest star) worth knowing before you order.
This independent guide covers every dip and sauce currently on the UK menu, what each one costs, what to pair it with, and how long the limited-edition Szechuan Sauce is sticking around.
The Full UK Dip List
McDonald’s UK sells its dips in two pot sizes. The classic 25ml pots are the small ones that have been around for years; the chunkier 40g pots are the premium dips introduced for people who take dunking seriously.
25ml pots (around 10–20p each):
– BBQ Dip — the smoky-sweet classic. Tomato-based with a gentle smokiness; the default choice for Chicken McNuggets.
– Sweet & Sour Dip — sharp, tangy, and unapologetically retro. The apricot-tinged one that tastes like every Chinese takeaway sauce you grew up with.
– Sweet Curry Dip — mild, fruity curry flavour. Enormous cult following in the UK; if you have never tried it, this is the one people will tell you to order.
– Tomato Ketchup Dip — exactly what it sounds like, in dip-pot form for the nugget dunkers.
40g pots (around 70–80p each):
– Sweet Chilli Dip — sweet heat with visible chilli flecks. The most versatile of the lot — works with nuggets, fries, and wraps alike.
– Garlic Mayo Dip — creamy, garlicky, and dangerously moreish. The one that converts people.
– Sweet & Smoky BBQ Dip — a deeper, smokier take on the classic BBQ. Bigger pot, bolder flavour.
– Spicy Mayo Dip — creamy mayo with a chilli kick. For those who find Garlic Mayo too mild-mannered.
A sour cream & chive dip appears on some UK price lists, but availability seems patchy — don’t count on finding it at every restaurant.
Which Dip Goes With What?
There are no official rules, but some pairings just work:
- Chicken McNuggets — the spiritual home of the dip pot. BBQ and Sweet Curry are the traditional picks; Sweet Chilli is the modern crowd-pleaser.
- Chicken Selects — the bigger chicken strips deserve the bigger 40g pots. Garlic Mayo or Sweet & Smoky BBQ.
- <a href=”https://mcdonaldsmenuuk.com/mcdonalds-uk-fries-sides-menu/”>Fries</a> — Sweet Curry with fries is a combination more people should try. Garlic Mayo also works brilliantly.
- Mozzarella Dippers — Sweet Chilli is the natural partner (when dippers are on the menu).
If you are ordering a Sharebox, grab a mix — the 25ml pots are cheap enough that experimenting costs almost nothing.
Limited Edition: Szechuan Sauce
The current guest star is the Szechuan Sauce from China, brought over as part of the World Menu Heist 2.0 promotion. It is described as a sweet and savoury sauce with a mild Szechuan pepper heat, and it works as an add-on dip for any order.
The important detail: it is only available until 16 November 2026, alongside the rest of the Heist range’s longer-staying items. Like all limited editions, popular restaurants can run out before the end date — if you want to try it, don’t leave it to the final week.
Dip Prices and Value
| Dip | Pot size | Approximate price |
|---|---|---|
| BBQ Dip | 25ml | Around 10–20p |
| Sweet & Sour Dip | 25ml | Around 10–20p |
| Sweet Curry Dip | 25ml | Around 10–20p |
| Tomato Ketchup Dip | 25ml | Around 10–20p |
| Sweet Chilli Dip | 40g | Around 70–80p |
| Garlic Mayo Dip | 40g | Around 70–80p |
| Sweet & Smoky BBQ Dip | 40g | Around 70–80p |
| Spicy Mayo Dip | 40g | Around 70–80p |
| Szechuan Sauce (limited edition) | — | Priced as an add-on dip; available until 16 Nov 2026 |
The 25ml pots are among the cheapest things McDonald’s sells — at around 10–20p, ordering two or three different ones to share is genuinely good value. The 40g pots cost more but you get noticeably more sauce, so the per-dunk economics roughly balance out.
Tips for Dip Fans
- Order dips separately rather than hoping the right one appears — they are individual menu items with their own prices.
- The Sweet Curry dip has the most devoted fanbase of any UK dip. If you are new to the range, start there.
- Limited-edition sauces never last. The Szechuan Sauce leaves on 16 November 2026 — try it while it is here.
- Check the app before ordering — dips occasionally feature in bundle deals and app-exclusive offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What dips does McDonald’s do in the UK?
The standard range is BBQ, Sweet & Sour, Sweet Curry and Tomato Ketchup in 25ml pots (around 10–20p each), plus Sweet Chilli, Garlic Mayo, Sweet & Smoky BBQ and Spicy Mayo in larger 40g pots (around 70–80p each). The limited-edition Szechuan Sauce is also available until 16 November 2026.
How much is a dip at McDonald’s UK?
The small 25ml dips cost around 10–20p each; the larger 40g dips cost around 70–80p each. Prices vary by restaurant.
What is the Szechuan Sauce at McDonald’s UK?
A sweet and savoury dipping sauce with mild Szechuan pepper heat, brought over from China as part of the World Menu Heist 2.0 promotion. It is available as an add-on dip until 16 November 2026.
Which McDonald’s dip is the most popular?
Sweet Curry has arguably the most passionate following in the UK, with BBQ the long-standing classic. Garlic Mayo has been the biggest recent convert-maker.
Are McDonald’s dips suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
Most of the dips are marked suitable for vegans (including BBQ, Sweet & Sour, Sweet Curry, Sweet Chilli and ketchup); Garlic Mayo and the cheese-based options are vegetarian. Always check the allergen information in the restaurant or app, as recipes can change.
Conclusion
The UK dip menu is short, cheap, and better than it has any right to be for something that costs pennies. Learn the two pot sizes, know that Sweet Curry is the connoisseur’s pick, and don’t sleep on the Szechuan Sauce before 16 November. Your nuggets will thank you.
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