Methods for cementing. An example method provides a cement composition comprising an aqueous fluid, a cement, and a cement retarder; wherein the cement retarder is a waste residue from a manufacturing process of a sweetener and comprises a sugar concentration of at least 40%, a Brix value of at least 60, a nitrogen-free extract concentration of at least 50%, a total solids concentration of at least 60%, a crude protein concentration less than 10%, a fat concentration less than 5%, a fiber concentration less than 5%, and an ash concentration less than 10%. The method also introduces the cement composition into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation and pumps the cement composition to a location within the wellbore, and allows the cement composition to set in the location.