Sauce Pots and Portion Pots: Sizes, Lids and How Many to Order
The DiscountTillRolls.ie TeamFor takeaway sauces, 2oz is the standard portion pot, with 1oz for small dips and ketchup and 4oz for larger sides like coleslaw or curry sauce. Clear plastic pots with a snap-on lid are the most leak-proof for delivery. Hinged pots save staff time because the lid is attached. Paper portion pots suit dry toppings and sauces served on the spot.
Here is how to pick the size, the lid and the material, and how many to order.
In this guide
- What size sauce pot do I need?
- Which lid fits which pot?
- Plastic, hinged or paper sauce pots?
- How do I stop sauce pots leaking?
- How many sauce pots should I order?
- FAQ
What size sauce pot do I need?
| Size | About | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1oz | 30ml | Ketchup, mayo, garlic dip, small sauces |
| 2oz | 60ml | Standard dip or sauce with a meal |
| 4oz | 120ml | Curry sauce, coleslaw, larger sides, dressings |
Most takeaways run on 2oz pots, with a sleeve of 4oz for curry sauce and sides. Pizza places that give garlic dip with every order often choose 1oz or 2oz depending on how generous they want to look.
Recyclable clear pots for dips, sauces and samples.
Which lid fits which pot?
Portion pot lids are matched to a pot range, so check the range code on the product page before you order.
- 2oz clear pots: 2oz clear PET snap-fit lids, or the heavy-duty PP lids for 2oz and 4oz pots.
- 4oz clear pots: 4oz clear PET snap-fit lids.
- Hinged pots have the lid attached, so there is nothing to match.
Mixing lids from a different brand is a common reason sauce pots pop open in a delivery bag.
Snap-on lids for 2oz clear portion pots.
Plastic, hinged or paper sauce pots?
- Clear plastic with separate lid: the lowest cost per pot and very secure once the lid clicks on. Best for delivery.
- Hinged sauce pots: the lid is attached, so staff are not hunting for lids during a rush.
- Microwavable pots with lids: for sauces the customer may want to reheat, like the 2oz microwavable sauce pots.
- Paper portion pots: 2oz white paper pots for sauces and toppings served on the spot, or dry items like sweets and nuts.
60ml pots with lids included, safe for reheating.
How do I stop sauce pots leaking?
- Leave a little space at the top. An overfilled pot will leak when the lid is pressed on.
- Wipe the rim if sauce gets on it, so the lid can grip.
- Press the lid on all the way round until it clicks, not just in the middle.
- Pack pots upright in a corner of the bag, or inside a box lid, not loose on top of the food.
- Use a matching lid from the same range. See above.
How many sauce pots should I order?
Count how many pots go out with an average order, then multiply by weekly orders. For example, a takeaway doing 400 orders a week at about 1.5 sauces per order uses around 600 pots a week, or roughly 2,500 a month. That is one case of 2,500 pots and one case of lids.
Keep a full case of pots and lids in reserve. Sauce pots are one of those items that always run out on a Friday night. For the rest of your packaging list, see the takeaway packaging checklist, and for bigger portions, the soup containers and deli pots guide.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a standard sauce pot?
2oz, about 60ml, is the standard takeaway sauce pot.
What is a 1oz sauce pot used for?
Small dips and condiments, like ketchup, mayo or garlic dip.
Do portion pot lids fit all pots?
No. Lids are made for a specific pot range. Use lids from the same range as your pots.
Why do my sauce pots leak in delivery?
Usually overfilling, sauce on the rim, a lid not pressed on all the way, or a lid from a different range.
Can you microwave sauce pots?
Only pots marked as microwavable, such as PP microwavable sauce pots. Do not microwave PET or rPET pots.
Sauce pots that stay shut.
Portion pots, microwavable pots and matching lids, dispatched from Dublin 12.
Shop portion pots →Free delivery across Ireland. Order before 1pm for same-day dispatch from Dublin 12.