Panda Express Sauces Menu: Calories, Prices & Flavors

A great American Chinese meal relies heavily on the right balance of sweet, savory, and spicy notes. While crisp vegetables and tender proteins form the foundation of your plate, the sauces truly bring the dish to life. Understanding the complete Panda Express sauces menu allows you to elevate your dining experience, control your nutritional intake, and recreate these iconic flavors in your own kitchen.

Many diners focus entirely on picking the perfect entree, completely overlooking the complimentary sauce packets waiting at the counter. Choosing the right dipping option can transform a standard bowl of fried rice or a simple egg roll into something spectacular. By learning how to mix and match these condiments, you unlock entirely new flavor profiles.

What Are the Sauces at Panda Express?

Panda Express currently offers seven free dipping sauce packets: Teriyaki, Sweet and Sour, Chili, Soy, Potsticker, Hot Mustard, and Plum sauce. The restaurant also features signature wok sauces cooked directly into meals, including their famous Orange, Beijing, Kung Pao, and Honey Sesame glazes.

Panda Express Sauces List (2026 Updated)

The sauces at Panda Express fall into two main categories: the complimentary packets you grab at the register, and the signature sauces wok-tossed directly into the entrees.

Dipping Sauces (Packets)

These small, convenient packets are perfect for dipping appetizers or drizzling over noodles and rice.

Signature Wok Sauces (Inside the Entrees)

These sauces are cooked into the food by the chefs. If you want to use them at home, you can purchase bottled versions at local grocery stores.

Panda Express Sauce Flavors Explained

Every sauce serves a specific culinary purpose. Knowing the flavor profile of each option ensures you make the best pairing for your palate.

• Sweet and Sour: A vibrant, tangy classic with a smooth texture. It offers a fruit-forward sweetness that pairs flawlessly with crispy Cream Cheese Rangoons and Chicken Egg Rolls.
• Teriyaki Sauce: A deeply savory, soy-based glaze rounded out with brown sugar and ginger. It enhances grilled meats and adds moisture to steamed white rice.
• Chili Sauce: A bright, fiery condiment similar to Sriracha but with a slightly sweeter finish. It provides an excellent heat boost for milder dishes like Mushroom Chicken.
• Hot Mustard: A pungent, sinus-clearing paste. The sharp, earthy bite cuts through heavy fried foods perfectly.
• Plum Sauce: A tart, fruity alternative to Sweet and Sour. It delivers a mild sweetness that complements savory pork and chicken appetizers.

Are Panda Express Sauces Free?

Yes, all dipping sauce packets at Panda Express are completely free with your food order. Customers can request Teriyaki, Sweet and Sour, Chili, Soy, Potsticker, Hot Mustard, or Plum sauce packets at the counter, drive-thru, or online without paying any additional fees.

Most Popular Panda Express Sauces (Fan Favorites)

Certain sauces dominate customer orders year after year. The undisputed champion is the Orange Sauce, which serves as the sweet, citrusy backbone of the chain’s best-selling Orange Chicken. It features a sticky consistency with hints of chili and garlic.

The Teriyaki Sauce ranks closely behind. Diners frequently request extra packets of this umami-rich glaze to pour over the Grilled Teriyaki Chicken and Chow Mein. Finally, the Sweet and Sour Sauce remains a massive fan favorite, serving as the default dipping choice for the majority of the restaurant’s appetizer menu.

Panda Express Sauce Nutrition & Ingredients

Monitoring your condiment choices is an easy way to manage your caloric and sodium intake.

• Lowest Calorie Options: If you want flavor without the calories, grab the Soy Sauce (5 calories), Chili Sauce (10 calories), or Hot Mustard (10 calories).
• High Sodium Warnings: A single packet of Soy Sauce contains 910mg of sodium. Teriyaki Sauce also carries a heavy sodium load at 690mg per packet.
• Sugar Content: Sweet and Sour Sauce contains 20g of sugar per packet, making it the sweetest condiment on the menu.

For individuals with allergies, check labels carefully. Teriyaki, Soy, and Potsticker sauces contain wheat and soy.

Limited-Time & Seasonal Sauces

Panda Express occasionally introduces specialty sauces alongside limited-time entrees. Past examples include the spicy, aromatic Chili Crisp shrimp glaze and the intensely fruity SweetFire sauce featuring tropical pineapple notes. While these do not always stay on the permanent menu, they offer exciting flavor variations for frequent visitors.

Can You Buy Panda Express Sauce in a Bottle?

Yes, you can buy bottled Panda Express sauces at major grocery stores like Walmart and Target. Popular flavors include Orange, Mandarin Teriyaki, Sweet and Sour, and Kung Pao sauce. These 18-to-20-ounce bottles typically cost between $4.48 and $4.99 depending on the retailer.

How to Use Panda Express Sauces at Home

Bringing store-bought Panda Express sauces into your kitchen makes weeknight meal prep incredibly easy.

• Quick Marinades: Soak chicken breasts or salmon fillets in Mandarin Teriyaki sauce for 30 minutes before grilling.
• Stir-Fry Base: Sauté fresh broccoli, bell peppers, and snap peas, then toss them in Kung Pao sauce for a rapid vegetarian dinner.
• Appetizer Dips: Keep a bottle of Sweet and Sour sauce in the fridge for dipping frozen egg rolls, chicken nuggets, or mozzarella sticks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sauces does Panda Express have?

Panda Express offers seven free sauce packets: Teriyaki, Sweet and Sour, Chili, Soy, Potsticker, Hot Mustard, and Plum. They also have signature wok sauces like Orange, Beijing, and Kung Pao.

Is Panda Express Orange Sauce sold in stores?

Yes, Panda Express Orange Sauce is sold in 20.75-ounce bottles at major grocery chains like Walmart, Target, and Kroger for approximately $4.48 to $4.99.

What is the spiciest Panda Express sauce?

The spiciest packet is the Hot Mustard, which delivers a sharp, pungent bite. The Chili Sauce packet also provides a strong, Sriracha-like heat level.

Are Panda Express sauces gluten-free?

No. Most Panda Express sauces, including Soy, Teriyaki, and Potsticker sauces, contain wheat. Because the kitchen utilizes shared equipment, cross-contamination is highly likely.

How many calories are in Panda Express Sweet & Sour Sauce?

One packet (1.8 oz) of Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce contains exactly 70 calories, zero grams of fat, and 20 grams of sugar.

Can I ask for extra sauce packets at Panda Express?

Yes, you can request extra sauce packets. Most locations happily provide two to four complimentary packets per meal upon request at the counter or drive-thru.

What’s in Panda Express Kung Pao Sauce?

Kung Pao Sauce features a bold, spicy, and savory blend of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, dried chili peppers, and a touch of sweetness.

Is Mandarin Teriyaki Sauce the same as Soy Sauce?

No. Soy Sauce is a thin, salty liquid made from fermented soybeans. Mandarin Teriyaki is a thicker, sweeter sauce that includes soy sauce mixed with sugar, ginger, and garlic.

Does Panda Express have a hot sauce?

Yes, Panda Express offers a free Chili Sauce packet. It contains 10 calories and 250mg of sodium, providing a tangy, fiery kick to any dish.

What sauce is on Beijing Beef?

Beijing Beef is wok-tossed in a unique sweet and tangy sauce. It combines a sugary base with vinegar, soy sauce, and a mild chili heat to coat the crispy beef.