How to Make Mumbo Sauce

A DMV classic that goes on EVERYTHING!

If you ask anyone in the DMV (D.C. Maryland, Virginia) area, Mumbo sauce is a staple on pretty much any fried food you consume. Go to your local takeout spot and ask for chicken wings, fried hard, with French fries and mumbo sauce. I guarantee your life will change…for the better of course!

This homemade version of mumbo sauce captures all of the sweet and spicy nodes locals love. Make this recipe and try it on your next back of wings, fries, or even fried shrimp!

Historical Origins

Although this is more known nowadays to be a staple of the Northeast, origins of this recipe are said to have come from the Midwest. Chicagoans have claimed this sauce to have originated from their region, but they call it mild sauce. One of these days, the truth will come out.

Nevertheless, this sauce is amazing for several reasons. Unlike ketchup and BBQ sauce (which is usually thicker) and hot sauce (which is usually thinner), Mumbo sauce falls right in between. Think of it like the porridge from the three bears. This is just right in terms of consistency. You don’t get an overpowered sauce that coats the entire wing, but you don’t get a thin later that makes you want to keep adding more because you don’t have enough. This works perfectly.

• The flavor– Mumbo sauce is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and spicy.
• Versatility– Mumbo sauce can go on so many of your favorite foods! I like it on chicken wings, fries, shrimp, even crab rangoons!

• Tomato sauce
• Ketchup
• Granulated sugar
• Rice wine vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Soy sauce
• Ginger
• Honey
• Garlic
• Cayenne pepper
• Pineapple juice

• When adding the pineapple juice, add in a little bit at a time. The juice will add sweetness and looseness to the sauce and you may not need as much.
• Strain the sauce a couple of times to ensure no huge bits of ginger get in the final product.
• Let the sauce cool completely in the fridge before using.

Print Recipe

How to Make Mumbo Sauce

Author: Patrick Lee

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 10 mins Rest Time 2 hrs Total Time 2 hrs 20 mins

Servings: 12

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

If you're looking for a sauce that's packed with flavor and absolutely delicious, check out this Mumbo Sauce.

Ingredients

Cook Mode Cooking Mode Disabled

Servings

• 8 oz tomato paste
• 1 c ketchup
• 1 ¹⁄₂ c granulated sugar
• 2 ¹⁄₂ c pineapple Juice
• ¹⁄₄ c rice wine vinegar
• ¹⁄₄ c lemon juice
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 3 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp ginger, grated
• 4 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp chili powder

Instructions

1. Turn your stove on to medium low.
2. In a large pot, add your tomato paste and ketchup.
3. Mix until well combined.
4. Add soy sauce and lemon juice to begin the process of liquifying your sauce.
5. Add the rice wine vinegar, garlic, and ginger mixing until well combined.
6. Once the sauce starts to loosen, add your granulated sugar 1/2 a cup at a time, adjusting for your desired level of sweetness.
7. Once to your desired liking, add your pineapple juice.
8. You may not need to add all of the pineapple juice. I would recommend adding in a 1/2 cup at a time.
9. Add the chili powder and the cayenne pepper.
10. Let it simmer on low for ten minutes stirring occasionally.
11. Remove from the heat and let cool.
12. Add your honey in and mix until well combined.
13. Strain the sauce in a bowl to remove the bits of garlic and ginger.
14. Add to a container, serve, and enjoy

Keywords: sauces

Rate this recipe