What Sauces Does Pollo Tropical Have, Taste Test & Pairings
If you still haven’t tried it, Pollo Tropical is my warmest recommendation for you. Even if you aren’t a fast food fan like me, the place will definitely have much to offer you. Their food is fantastic, but the sauces are where the magic hides.
The sauces at Pollo Tropical are known for their vibrancy and authenticity. They are unique in their own ways and offer a familiar yet innovative flavor. In this article, I will talk about Pollo Tropical sauces. So, let’s see what sauces you can find at Pollo Tropical, and what are the best combinations to try out!
List of Pollo Tropical Dipping Sauces
Pollo Tropical offers eight sauces: fresh salsa, cilantro garlic, curry mustard, BBQ, pineapple rum, spicy pollo pollo, pollo tropical hot sauce, and guava BBQ sauce. Now, let’s see what they taste like.
Fresh Salsa
The fresh salsa sauce is creamy and tangy with a hint of sweetness and a whole lot of richness. Refreshing and moderately zesty, it is a great choice to have as a dipping sauce for chicken, sandwiches, and wraps.
To make it at home mix mayonnaise, ketchup, vinegar, and a bit of honey or sugar for sweetness.
Cilantro Garlic
The cilantro garlic sauce is delightfully refreshing and delicious, giving the dish a burst of fresh, zesty flavors with the richness of garlic and the freshness of cilantro. Since the garlic and the cilantro have very potent flavors, I was skeptical about how well they would pair. Fortunately, my skepticism was unjustified.
I had the Avocado Cilantro Tropichop Bowl, but recommend it with side dishes and wraps on the menu.
Blend fresh cilantro, garlic, lime juice, mayonnaise, and sour cream for a creamy and homemade garlic cilantro sauce.
BBQ
The Pollo Tropical BBQ sauce is a classic barbecue sauce; if you are a BBQ fan, you must give it a shot. It is a sweet and smoky sauce with a rich tomato base and whiffs of molasses and spices.
I had it with the Cuban sandwich and had a blast, but you can pair it with anything meaty on the menu.
Combine ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices like paprika and garlic powder to make your own version of the Pollo Tropical BBQ sauce.
Pineapple Rum
The pineapple rum sauce left me scratching my head, wondering if I like it or not. The sweet pineapple notes and a hint of rum flavor gave it a cocktail-like dimension. So, my advice is to try it and see for yourself.
I had it with the boneless chicken breast, and it paired well, but see what your best fit would be.
For a homemade pineapple rum sauce, blend pineapple chunks, rum extract or flavoring, brown sugar, and a bit of lime juice.
Curry Mustard
Familiar yet innovative, the curry mustard sauce has a bold, spicy kick with the warmth of curry spices and the tang of mustard. Still, I would recommend it only if you love curry and mustard. Since you can feel both pretty intensely, not liking either of them will make you not enjoy the sauce.
I had it with tostones, but I can see how it would pair well with various menu items.
To make a homemade version, mix Dijon mustard, curry powder, mayonnaise, and a bit of honey for sweetness and balance.
Spicy Pollo Pollo
I was reluctant to try the spicy pollo pollo sauce because a friend of mine had it and told me it was generously spicy. Still, I decided to give it a go and didn’t regret it. Even though it is substantially spicy, it is well-balanced with a hint of sweetness and smokiness.
In short, pair it with everything grilled on the menu. I had it with the Grillmaster trio, and it turned out to be a great decision!
Mix hot sauce, honey, smoked paprika, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for your own version of this sauce.
Pollo Tropical Hot Sauce
This one was too much for my palate, but I recommend it if you enjoy spicy and hot food. If you aren’t a fan of those flavors, you better try some of the other options. It’s fiery and intense, so brace yourself.
Replicate at Home: Blend hot peppers, vinegar, garlic, and a touch of salt for homemade Pollo Tropical hot sauce.
Guava BBQ
At first glance, it doesn’t seem like a good idea, but when you taste it, you will believe the opposite. There’s something about mixing fruit and smoke that results in an irresistible flavor. Guava BBQ sauce is a delightful blend of sweet guava and smoky barbecue notes, well-balanced and delicious.
I had it with the fire-grilled chicken and loved it. You can also pair it with other grilled items on the menu.
Mix guava paste, ketchup, vinegar, and spices like cumin and paprika to make your own version of the guava BBQ sauce.
What Pollo Tropical Sauces Are Vegan?
Their vegan sauces include fresh salsa, garlic sauce, BBQ sauce, guava BBQ sauce, spicy Po-Po sauce, ketchup, and pineapple rum sauce. Even though it isn’t a vegan restaurant, you can easily eat vegan at Pollo Tropical.
Do you have a favorite Pollo Tropical order? Please write it down in the comments below — I would love to try it out!
