A portion of mayonnaise with chips requires a different sauce cup than a small amount of sambal or a generous serving of satay sauce. Choose a cup that is too small and your customer may not get enough sauce, or the lid may not close properly. A cup that is too large can quickly look half-empty and takes up unnecessary space in the packaging.
The right size depends on the type of sauce, the dish and how you serve the order. In this blog, we help you choose the right sauce cup.
Why is the right sauce cup size important?
The size of a sauce cup affects presentation, ease of use and the amount of sauce you provide. A well-filled cup looks much neater than a large container with only a thin layer of sauce at the bottom.
Using a fixed size also helps you keep portions consistent. This means every customer receives approximately the same amount and makes it easier to estimate how much sauce you use per order. That is useful for both stock management and calculating costs.
When choosing a size, do not only consider the volume of the cup. The consistency of the sauce also matters. A small amount of sambal takes up very little space, while thicker or chunkier sauces such as hummus, guacamole and tzatziki often require a larger cup.
Which sauce cup size suits your sauce?
The sizes below provide a useful guideline. The right size ultimately depends on your portions and dishes.
|
Size |
Capacity |
Suitable for |
|
Mini |
tot 30 ml |
Kleine dips, ketchup, mosterd |
|
Small |
31 – 60 ml |
Satésaus, knoflooksaus, mayonaise |
|
Medium |
61 – 90 ml |
Tzatziki, hummus, guacamole |
|
Large |
91 – 150 ml |
Toppings, dressings, amuses |
In TakeAware’s current range, you will find sauce cups in the categories 0 to 30 ml, 31 to 60 ml, 61 to 90 ml, 91 to 120 ml and 121 to 150 ml. The range includes cardboard sauce cups in sizes such as 30/45, 60, 90 and 120 ml, as well as larger containers of approximately 150 ml.
Use the table mainly as a guideline. The ideal portion size can vary depending on the dish and the hospitality business. It is therefore always a good idea to test how much sauce you normally serve before choosing a size.
Do you need a lid for your sauce cup?
For sauce served directly at the table or at the takeaway counter, an open sauce cup may be sufficient. For takeaway and delivery, a properly fitting lid is usually the more practical option.
A lid helps prevent sauce from spilling into the bag or onto the food during transport. Always check whether the lid matches the diameter and the specific type of sauce cup. Within the range, you will find cups and lids with diameters including Ø62 and Ø64 mm. A similar diameter does not automatically mean that every lid fits every cup.
Do not fill the cup all the way to the rim. Leave enough space to fit the lid without pushing sauce out around the edges.
Which material should you choose for your sauce cup?
Besides the size, the material of the sauce cup also plays an important role. The best choice depends on the temperature of the sauce, how it is served and the look you want to create.
Cardboard
Cardboard sauce cups are sturdy and grease-resistant. They are available in natural finishes such as kraft and white and are well suited to portions of sauce served with chips, snacks, sandwiches and lunch dishes. Kraft has a natural look, while white is neutral and easy to combine with other packaging.
Paper
Paper sauce cups are lightweight and cost-effective. They are particularly practical for small portions of sauce that are served immediately, for example with a toastie, spring roll or individual snack. Their compact size means they take up very little space behind the counter.
Sugarcane
Sugarcane sauce cups, also known as bagasse, are made from plant-based residual fibres. They have a sturdy, natural appearance and are suitable for a range of cold and hot sauces. For hot applications, always check the product specifications of the individual cup.
PLA
PLA is made from renewable raw materials such as maize or sugarcane. The material is transparent, which keeps the sauce or dressing clearly visible. This makes PLA sauce cups particularly suitable for colourful dips, toppings and cold dressings. PLA can be compostable under the right industrial conditions. Always check the relevant certification and local waste disposal requirements.
The best material therefore depends on the sauce and how you serve it. Also consider the available lid options and always check whether the chosen cup is suitable for the temperature of its contents.
Can you get sauce cups customized?
Would you like your sauce cups to match the look and feel of your business? At TakeAware, you can have cardboard sauce cups printed with your own logo, branding or message. This gives even a small portion of sauce a recognisable and professional appearance.
Custom-printed sauce cups provide extra brand visibility with takeaway orders, delivered meals and dishes served directly to customers. Every time a customer uses the cup, your brand is visible again.
Custom printing is available from medium-sized order quantities. Discover the possibilities on our custom-printed disposables page.
Sauce cups from TakeAware
At TakeAware, you will find sauce cups in a variety of sizes, materials and designs. From small paper cups for mayonnaise or sambal to larger containers with lids for dressings, dips and side dishes. This makes it easy to choose a sauce cup that suits your dishes, portion sizes and serving style.
Browse our range of sauce cups and find the right option for your hospitality business. Not sure which one to choose? Feel free to contact us. We will be happy to help you find the right size, material and matching lid.
Author: Manon Schram
