Sauce pots, dip pots, portion pots, deli pots, condiment pots: the names vary, but the sizing question is the same. Too small and the customer complains; too large and you are giving away free sauce in a pot that costs more. Most UK takeaways need just two sizes, and some manage with one.
Sauce pot sizes at a glance
| Size | Approx. volume | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1oz | 30ml | Ketchup, mayo, garlic sauce, BBQ, chilli sauce, mint sauce |
| 2oz | 60ml | Curry sauce, gravy, coleslaw, garlic mayo, sour cream, salsa |
| 4oz | 120ml | Raita, hummus, tzatziki, large dips, salad sides, sharing sauces |
1oz: single-serve condiments
The 1oz hinged pot is the smallest size worth stocking. It holds a standard single serving of a condiment and takes up almost no room in the bag. Chip shops, burger bars and pizzerias use it for ketchup, mayo and garlic sauce. See 1oz hinged lid sauce pots, case of 1000.
2oz: the takeaway standard
If you buy one size, buy 2oz. It is generous enough for curry sauce on chips, gravy, coleslaw and a proper portion of garlic mayo, and it is our best-selling pot. Kebab shops, chicken shops and fish and chip shops use it for almost everything. See 2oz hinged lid sauce pots, case of 1000.
4oz: dips, sides and sharing
Indian restaurants use 4oz for raita and chutney, grill houses for hummus and salads, caterers for dressings on platters. It is also the right size when a customer orders "extra sauce". See 4oz hinged lid sauce pots, case of 1000.
Hinged lid or separate lid?
Hinged pots have the lid attached, which means no matching lids to find during a rush, no lids lost in the stockroom, and one SKU per size instead of two. Separate-lid pots are cheaper per unit but slower on the counter. For a takeaway serving dozens of pots an hour, hinged is almost always the better choice.
How many sauce pots does a takeaway use?
A fish and chip shop can get through 2,000–3,000 pots a week on sauces alone; a kebab shop running two pots per order uses a case of 1,000 every few days. Buying by the case of 1,000 brings the cost to under 2p per pot; pallet pricing for multiple cases brings it lower still. Ask for a bulk quote if you use more than ten cases a month.
Pair with the right container
Keeping sauces separate stops mains going soggy in the delivery bag. Use 650ml containers for mains, pots for sauces, and a napkin in every bag. Browse the full sauce pots & portion pots range.
Frequently asked questions
What is 2oz in ml? About 60ml (one fluid ounce is roughly 28–30ml; pot sizes are nominal).
Are sauce pots microwave safe? PP pots are microwave safe, but most sauces are served cold or warmed briefly; lift the lid before heating.
Are sauce pots leak-proof? Hinged PP pots with a snap-shut lid are leak-resistant for runny sauces when closed properly; fill to just below the rim.