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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Condiments

    Sweet Onion Sauce

    Published: Jan 19, 2023 · Modified: Mar 10, 2023 · by Puja Verma

    227 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This sweet onion sauce comes together in under 15 minutes with only 6 ingredients! It’s a simple way to add a rich, tangy-sweet flavor to sandwiches, subs, salads, and more. Skip the store-bought options and try this homemade Subway copycat instead!

    A glass bottle of sweet onion sauce with lid on it.

    With a few pantry staples, you can make a sweet onion sauce that's even better than Subway's! The best part? It's easy, budget-friendly, and preservative-free. If you love all things sauce, try my Southwest salad dressing!

    Why I Love This Recipe

    If you’ve ever found yourself wishing you could bottle up the Subway sweet onion sauce, you’re in luck—this homemade version tastes just like the original but without any of the mystery ingredients!

    The onions create a naturally sweet base, balanced with a touch of vinegar and a kick of pepper. It turns out silky smooth, slightly thickened, and packed with that irresistible bold, savory flavor.

    It’s perfect for drizzling over sandwiches, salads, roasted veggies, or even as a dip. Whether you're meal-prepping or want to elevate your usual meals, this sauce is an absolute keeper!

    Ingredient Notes

    Here's a breakdown of the ingredients you'll need to make this sweet onion sauce recipe.

    Sweet onion sauce ingredients laid out and grouped individually.
    • Onion: You can use white or yellow onions, although I prefer white onions for their crisp, clean flavor. (If you can get your hands on some, I also recommend sweet onion varieties like Vidalia and Walla Walla.)
    • Sugar: Balances the vinegar and enhances the onions' natural sweetness. Use cane sugar or vegan granulated sugar!
    • White Wine Vinegar: I prefer the slightly sweeter, milder, and more delicate taste of white wine vinegar over regular white vinegar. It results in a well-rounded sauce rather than one overpowered with acidity.
    • Poppyseeds: Just like Subway’s sweet onion sauce, don’t forget to include poppyseeds for a light crunch and a slightly nutty flavor.
    • Potato Starch: Acts as a thickening agent, helping the sauce become smooth and velvety.

    Substitutions

    • Onion: You can try an equal amount of shallots for a milder onion flavor.
    • Sugar: Use maple syrup or coconut sugar for a refined sugar-free option. Start with slightly less, then taste and adjust the sweetness gradually.
    • White Wine Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar will work in a pinch!
    • Poppyseeds: If you don't have poppyseeds, use an equivalent amount of sesame seeds or omit them.
    • Potato Starch: → Cornstarch will also work here (use a 1:1 ratio).

    How to Make

    My favorite part about this sweet onion sauce is how easy it is to whip up! Just follow my tips and tricks for the best results.

    Preparation

    In a small bowl, whisk together the potato starch and water to form a slurry. Roughly chop the onion into small pieces to make blending easier.

    A bowl of potato starch slurry.

    Cooking

    Step 1
    Add the onion and water to a blender and blend until completely smooth (like onion juice).

    Onion juice blend in an open blender cup.

    Step 2
    Pour the blended onion mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, using a spoon to press out as much liquid as possible and remove the pulp. Straining the onion juice is key to achieving a silky sauce (if you want a thicker, more textured sauce, you can skip this step).

    Onion pulp straining through a mesh sieve with a silicon spatula over a sauce pan.

    Step 3
    Heat the saucepan of onion juice over low-medium, then add the slurry and the remaining ingredients to thicken the sauce.

    A sauce pan with onion juice and poppy seeds getting stirred with a wooden spoon.

    Step 4
    Bring the sauce to a quick boil, immediately turn off the heat, and let it cool (your sweet onion sauce will thicken more as it continues to cool).

    Sweet onion sauce drizzling down in a pool of onion sauce with a metal spoon.

    Expert Tip

    It's essential to heat the onion juice gently, which allows its natural sweetness to develop without caramelizing or burning (this could alter the final taste of your sweet onion sauce).

    Always add the slurry gradually while stirring constantly—this will thicken the sauce evenly without clumping. And avoid cooking the sauce for too long, as it can actually break down the starch, making it thinner instead of thicker. Remove it from the heat as soon as it starts to thicken.

    Serving Suggestions

    Once your sweet onion dressing is cooled and thickened, enjoy it on sandwiches, subs, and paninis. You can also serve it in wraps and pitas or as a dip with pizza (bonus if it's topped with some sugar-free caramelized onions!).

    Of course, you can always use it as a salad dressing in recipes like my strawberry goat cheese salad or even a quinoa salad.

    Cooking Tips

    • Use Fresh Onions: Fresh onions have a higher water content, which results in a smooth, flavorful sauce. Avoid pre-chopped or frozen onions, as they can alter the texture and taste.
    • Blend thoroughly: The onion juice should be completely smooth before straining. A high-powered blender works best here, but if yours isn't as strong, blend for an extra 30 seconds.
    • Adjust the Sweetness: Depending on the onions you use, you may need to adjust the sugar. Taste the sauce before cooling and adjust the sugar to your preference—add more for a sweeter sauce or balance it with extra vinegar.
    A spoonful of sweet onion sauce.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is sweet onion sauce gluten-free?

    This sweet onion sauce is gluten-free, as written on the recipe card. If you suffer from Celiac disease, it’s best to double-check each ingredient.

    Do I have to strain the sauce? 

    No, you don’t have to strain the sauce. However, if you skip this step, the texture will be quite chunky. 

    Can I use red onions in this sauce?

    Yes, but red onions will give the sauce a slightly stronger, sharper taste. If you prefer a milder, sweeter flavor, stick with white or yellow onions.

    Why is my sweet onion sauce too thin?

    The sauce may need more time to simmer and thicken. If it's still too thin after cooling, try reheating it and adding a bit more slurry, whisking constantly until it reaches the right consistency.

    Storing

    If you have leftover sweet onion sauce, you’re in luck! It can be stored for quite a long time by following these storage instructions.

    • Fridge: Your sweet onion dressing will stay fresh for up to a month in the fridge if kept in an airtight container (I prefer a mason jar here!).
    • Freezer: It can also be frozen in small portions for up to 3 months. Use an ice cube tray to freeze individual servings, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for easy use.
    • Thaw: When ready for more, thaw a cube in the fridge overnight. Give it a quick stir in the morning, especially if it’s separated.
    Top view of an open glass bottle with onion sauce in it.

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    Sweet onion sauce in a glass bottle with a lid.

    Simple Sweet Onion Sauce (Subway Copycat)

    4.72 from 7 votes
    Prep Time: 2 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
    Total Time: 12 minutes mins
    Serving Size: 4 people
    Author Puja Verma
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    DESCRIPTION

    This sweet onion sauce comes together in under 15 minutes with only 6 ingredients! It’s a simple way to add a rich, tangy-sweet flavor to sandwiches, subs, salads, and more. Skip the store-bought options and try this homemade Subway copycat instead!

    INGREDIENTS
      

    • 1 cup onion chopped
    • ¼ cup water
    • ½ cup sugar
    • 2 teaspoon white wine vinegar
    • ½ teaspoon poppyseeds
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

    Slurry

    • 3 teaspoon potato starch or corn starch
    • ¼ cup water

    METHOD
     

    • To make the slurry: Whisk together the potato starch and ¼ cup water in a small bowl and keep aside.
    • Roughly chop the onions and toss them in the blender with water. Blend till smooth like onion juice.
    • Strain the onion juice into a mesh sieve. Use a spoon to slowly push through mostly all the pulp.
    • Heat the saucepan with onion juice over low-medium heat and add the remaining ingredients along with the slurry to thicken the sauce.
    • Bring sauce to a quick boil and then immediately turn off the heat to let the sauce cool and thicken.
      Note: Sauce will thicken more once it cools down completely.

    NOTES

    • Strain the onions: For the smoothest sweet onion sauce, blend and strain the onions into the saucepan.
    • Simmer the sauce: To bring the flavors together and thicken the sauce, don’t skip simmering it.
    • Make a slurry: To prevent the potato starch from clumping in the sauce, combine it with a small amount of water before adding it in.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 296mg | Potassium: 73mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 0.2mg
    Course: Condiments
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: subway sweet onion sauce, sweet onion sauce
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    Puja from Green Heart Love

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