Who doesn’t love the sweet, tangy, and savory goodness of Subway’s Sweet Onion Sauce? It’s the perfect finishing touch on a sandwich, drizzling down to add that perfect balance of sweetness and zest. Whether you’re recreating your favorite sandwich at home or looking for a new homemade sauce to amp up your meals, this recipe will give you that iconic Subway flavor—without having to leave your house. Trust me, once you’ve got this sauce in your fridge, you’ll want to put it on everything!
Why You’ll Love Subway Sweet Onion Sauce
This sauce is more than just a topping—it’s a flavor game-changer! Here’s why it’s a must-have:
- Sweet and Tangy Perfection: It strikes the perfect balance between sweetness and tanginess, giving your sandwiches or salads that extra oomph you crave.
- Quick and Easy: It’s super simple to make and takes only a few ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.
- Versatile: While it’s known for its sandwich status, this sauce works beautifully as a marinade, a dip, or even as a dressing for grilled meats and veggies.
- Homemade Goodness: Making this at home means you know exactly what’s going into it—no artificial preservatives, just fresh ingredients.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Serve it at your next BBQ, picnic, or dinner party and watch people keep asking for the recipe.

Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this deliciously sweet and tangy sauce:
Mayonnaise: The creamy base of the sauce that gives it that smooth texture.
Honey: Adds that perfect touch of sweetness that pairs beautifully with the tangy vinegar.
Yellow Mustard: Gives the sauce a slight tang and depth of flavor that cuts through the sweetness.
Vinegar: White vinegar brings a light, bright tanginess to the mix.
Sugar: A little extra sweetness to round out the flavor profile.
Garlic Powder: For a subtle, savory depth.
Onion Powder: To add that oniony kick.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s whip up this Subway Sweet Onion Sauce! It’s incredibly easy—just follow these steps:
Combine the Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, honey, mustard, vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Whisk Together: Use a whisk or a fork to blend everything until smooth and well combined.
Taste and Adjust: Give the sauce a taste and adjust the sweetness or tang to your liking. If you prefer it sweeter, add a little more honey; if you want more tang, throw in a splash more vinegar.
Refrigerate: Cover the sauce and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together for that perfect Subway taste.
Serve and Enjoy: Drizzle this sweet onion sauce over your favorite sandwich, salad, or use it as a dip for fries or veggies!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1 tbsp
Calories per serving: 90
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
How to Serve Subway Sweet Onion Sauce
This Sweet Onion Sauce isn’t just for sandwiches—get creative and use it in various ways:
- Sandwiches: Drizzle it over your favorite sub or sandwich for that delicious sweet and tangy punch.
- Salads: Use it as a dressing for your salads. It pairs especially well with grilled chicken, bacon, or veggies.
- Dips: Serve it as a dip for crispy fries, chicken nuggets, or vegetable sticks for a sweet twist.
- Grilled Meats: Use it as a glaze or marinade for grilled chicken, pork, or beef. It adds that sweet-savory layer of flavor that everyone will love.
- Burgers: Spread it on your burgers for an extra burst of flavor. It pairs perfectly with cheese and crispy bacon.
Additional Tips
- Store in an Airtight Container: Keep the sauce in an airtight container or jar in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for up to a week, though it’ll be hard to resist eating it sooner!
- Customize It: Want to spice it up a little? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Make It Lighter: If you’re looking for a lighter version, swap the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt or light mayo.
- Experiment with Sweetness: Adjust the honey to your preference. If you want a more subtle sweetness, reduce the amount of honey.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
A1: Absolutely! It’s even better after a few hours or overnight when the flavors have time to meld.
Q2: Can I use this on anything other than sandwiches?
A2: Yes! This sauce is great as a dip, salad dressing, or even a glaze for meats. It’s super versatile.
Q3: How long will the sauce last in the fridge?
A3: The sauce will stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container.
Q4: Can I make this sauce without mayonnaise?
A4: If you’re not a fan of mayo, you can swap it out for Greek yogurt or sour cream for a tangier twist.
Q5: What if I don’t like honey?
A5: You can substitute the honey with maple syrup or agave nectar for a different sweetener.
Q6: Can I use this sauce on a grilled chicken sandwich?
A6: Yes, absolutely! This sauce is fantastic with grilled chicken, adding a sweet and tangy contrast to the savory flavors.
Q7: Can I make this sauce spicier?
A7: Yes, add some cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or finely chopped jalapeños to kick up the heat.
Q8: Can I use this sauce as a marinade?
A8: Yes, it works wonderfully as a marinade for meats like chicken, pork, or even veggies.
Q9: Can I freeze this sauce?
A9: It’s best kept in the fridge for freshness, but you can freeze it in a container for up to 2 months. Thaw and stir before using.
Q10: Can I double the recipe?
A10: Yes, you can! This recipe is easy to double or even triple if you’re planning on making a big batch.
Conclusion
This Subway Sweet Onion Sauce is your new go-to recipe for bringing the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory to your meals. Whether you’re making a sandwich, dressing a salad, or using it as a dip, it’s incredibly versatile and adds just the right touch of flavor. Plus, it’s easy to make with pantry staples and comes together in no time. Try it once, and you’ll be hooked! Enjoy this simple, homemade version that will elevate all your favorite dishes.
PrintSubway Sweet Onion Sauce Recipe
This Sweet and Tangy BBQ Meatball Pasta is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that combines tender meatballs with a delicious BBQ sauce, pasta, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a quick family meal or a cozy dinner!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: About 1 1/2 cups 1x
- Category: Sauces
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 6 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon finely minced onion
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a saucepan and whisk thoroughly to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking constantly to prevent clumping.
- Let it boil for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Continue whisking as it simmers for an additional 5 minutes.
- Once the sauce thickens, remove it from heat and let it cool completely.
- Transfer the sauce to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
- Adjust the sweetness or tanginess by modifying the amount of sugar or vinegar to your taste.
- The sauce will thicken as it cools, so be sure to allow it to reach room temperature before using.
- You can store it in the fridge for up to a week, making it a convenient option for meal prep.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 35kcal
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg