Here are the essential sauce recipes every home cook needs! From classic Italian tomato sauce to creamy tahini and green chimichurri, this list works for nearly every occasion or taste.
Need a great sauce to liven up your meal? When I started learning to cook, I realized the power of a sauce to turn something meh into something great. A two-minute tahini sauce can make a grain bowl feel restaurant-worthy, and a garlicky chimichurri turns a basic chicken into something fantastic.
After over a decade of recipe writing for this website and my cookbooks, I’ve rounded up a list of my top 50 essential sauces. This includes the best pasta sauce recipes, dipping sauces, marinades, and drizzles for salmon, chicken, tacos, and more. From light and creamy to rich buttery to tomato-based, there’s something for every type of meal!
50 Essential Sauces
This tomato sauce recipe is my kitchen staple: it comes out velvety and tangy, bright from the tomatoes and smooth from the olive oil. Based on an Italian grandmother’s recipe, it uses simple ingredients to make culinary magic. Swirl it into pasta, spread it on pizza, or use it as a marinara dipping sauce.
Want an easy way to take a meal from meh to stunning? Try this chimichurri sauce recipe! This Argentinian sauce is simple to whip up and adds bright, garlicky flavor to grilled meats, chicken, fish or vegetables. It takes grilled salmon to new heights, and makes grilled or roasted vegetables sing.
Here’s a key sauce recipe every cook should have in their repertoire: Tahini Sauce! It’s rich, creamy, zingy and ideal for drizzling on just about anything. Try it on a falafel bowl or a grain bowl, on roasted sweet potatoes, on a sandwich, even as a French fry dip.
Here’s a rich and creamy sauce recipe that’s perfect for salmon, fish or veggies: lemon dill sauce! This one requires no cooking at all. All you need is 5 minutes to stir it together in a bowl! The amount of flavor you’ll get from the humble ingredients will blow you away.
Also try: Dill Sauce or Dill Sauce for Salmon
This bright red Spanish sauce recipe is bursting with flavor: tangy, garlicky, savory, sweet, zingy and earthy all at once. Serve it with grilled or roasted vegetables, fish, chicken, bread or really anything that needs a little sparkle.
Got fresh basil? This classic Italian sauce is savory, garlicky, creamy, peppery, and you can slather a smear on anything. Use it on pasta, pizza, chicken, shrimp, and more. It's easiest when you have a load of fresh basil, but you can make this ubiquitous sauce recipe anytime.
You’re going to want to bathe in this sauce recipe! It’s creamy, savory, fresh, and tangy all at once. You can drizzle it on salads like my Mexican side salad, tacos or enchiladas, or burrito bowls! Or use it as a dip for fries. It’s multi-purpose and it takes only 5 minutes to blend up.
Also try: Creamy Cilantro Sauce (Dairy-Free!)
Here’s a delicious sauce recipe everyone should know how to make: cream sauce! This luscious sauce is perfect for pasta and is ready in 10 minutes. It’s simple to whip up by making a roux. Milk is all you need for this garlic cream sauce, then add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese at the end.
Here’s an Italian staple pasta sauce recipe: Pomodoro Sauce! This classic Italian sauce recipe is pure in its simplicity: simmering tomatoes and a few aromatic vegetables make a straightforward yet nuanced flavor. It takes a little time to simmer, but it’s well worth it for the ease of this recipe: and the bold flavor!
When it comes to iconic yogurt-based dipping sauces, tzatziki sauce is at the top of the list! This famously creamy and garlicky Greek cucumber sauce is commonly served as a dip with pita or veggies, or a sauce with falafel or gyros: but it works with just about anything!
This peanut sauce recipe is simple, creamy, and absolutely irresistible! It’s savory, sweet, salty, sour, and a little spicy all at once: perfect for dipping spring rolls, lettuce wraps, shrimp, a veggie tray, or anything that needs a flavor boost.
Need a simple, homemade sauce that will dress up any meal? Try this Honey Garlic Sauce recipe! It comes together with just 8 ingredients in less than 10 minutes, making it an easy, no-hassle sauce for quick meals. You’ll want to paint a swath of this sticky, flavor-popping sauce on just about anything! It’s great for salmon, chicken, stir fries, and more.
Looking for a sauce recipe that’s packed with flavor? Try this Lemon Butter Sauce! It’s garlicky, rich, acidic, and bright: ideal for drizzling over a piece of salmon or roast chicken. It’s so simple to whip up: in just 5 minutes, you’ve got a sauce that tastes like pure gold.
This irresistibly zingy and balanced sauce stars two types of mustard, mayonnaise and honey. It comes together in just 1 minute, and the flavor is divine! Use it for dipping vegetables or wings, or slather it on sandwiches and burgers.
Here’s a white wine sauce recipe for pasta, chicken or fish that’s easy to make and makes the most beautiful flavor. The dry white wine makes it taste like it’s from a fancy restaurant…but it’s easy to make at home in just 15 minutes! The flavor tangy from the wine and savory from the Parmesan cheese.
This tahini yogurt sauce is my go-to sauce and dip! It’s irresistibly creamy and takes just 2 minutes to whip up. I like using it as a sauce for grilled vegetables, chicken, or seafood, or topping it with tomato confit as a tasty appetizer.
Need a delectable dipping sauce? This lemon pepper sauce is full of zingy, zesty flavor, but requires only 5 minutes and 5 ingredients. The butter is savory and creamy, punctuated by the zingy lemon and hint of spicy black pepper. It’s perfect with salmon, shrimp, wings, roasted vegetables, or anything that needs a little kick!
This creamy Horseradish Sauce pairs sour cream cream, mayo and a hint of Dijon and vinegar with the spicy zing of prepared horseradish. To say it’s irresistible is an understatement! It’s traditionally served with steak or prime rib, but use it to add flair to just about anything: baked potatoes, roasted vegetables, grilled salmon, and more.
Aioli sauce is one of those basic kitchen skills that all home cooks should know! This rich French dipping sauce makes French fries into a revelation, and instantly makes a sandwich taste gourmet. You can find it at restaurants or on the shelves in gourmet grocery stores. But for the best flavor, of course: make it homemade!
Looking for a sauce that works for vegetables, chicken, fish and everything in between? This garlic butter sauce tastes like pure gold, and it’s the dipping and drizzling sauce you’ve been waiting for. It’s rich and salty, with a burst of pure garlic flavor.
Looking for a flavor-packed sauce that takes just a few minutes to make? This roasted red pepper sauce is full of zingy flavor, no cooking required! Throw a few ingredients into a blender and it makes a bright orange, tangy garlicky sauce. It’s extremely versatile: use it for a pasta sauce, as a dip for vegetables or fries, or as a sauce for fish or chicken.
Want a spin on pesto without pine nuts? Pistou is the classic French cousin of pesto, and it’s even simpler: all you need are basil, garlic, and olive oil. Mash it into a paste and you’ve got a chunky sauce that’s great for dipping and drizzling.
Looking for a great tomato sauce recipe? Try Tomato Cream Sauce! Rich heavy cream is the ideal pairing with tangy, acidic tomatoes. The way the cream rounds out the flavor and texture is simply stunning. It’s similar to an Italian Vodka Sauce, but a lot less work.
Here’s a back-pocket sauce every home cook needs: this quick and creamy Avocado Sauce! All you need are 4 ingredients, plus salt. Give them a whiz in a blender, and dip in a spoon. It’s creamy, savory, zingy and even better: it magically stays green in the refrigerator for days!
Want to take your dinner to the next level? Try this Lemon Caper Sauce recipe! This magical meld is so full of savory, salty, buttery goodness, you’ll want to swim in it. Drape it over a piece of grilled or baked fish or chicken, and you won’t want each bite to end.
Looking for a flavor-popping dipping sauce recipe? Try Ponzu Sauce, a zingy Japanese condiment that pairs citrus, salty and savory in equal measure. Use it as a dip for vegetables, seared tuna steak, tofu, or noodles, or as quick finishing sauce for a noodle bowl or stir fry.
Yum Yum sauce is a condiment used at Japanese steakhouses, typically used on seafood. This mayo-based sauce is made with tomato paste, a little butter, a hint of sugar, and a few other seasonings. Creamy, savory, and a little sweet, the uses are endless: try it on tacos, eggs, roasted or raw vegetables, as a dip for fries, with shrimp, over salmon, steak and more!
Need a great Italian pasta sauce? Try Arrabiata Sauce! This spicy, garlicky tomato sauce is an Italian favorite for good reason: the simple flavors make any pasta taste incredible. Make it at home and you can customize the heat level to taste.
Looking for a tasty and easy dipping sauce? This lemon garlic butter sauce is just 5 ingredients and tastes like a dream! The sauce is punctuated with the zing of fresh lemon juice the irresistible savory notes of garlic.
Here’s a creamy sauce recipe every home cook needs in their repertoire: a great remoulade! This zingy mayo-based condiment is eaten all over the world, often with seafood but it works with fries, burgers, and more. It’s common in Cajun and Creole cuisine, though it originated in France. The way the rich mayo and briny capers meld with the seafood is out of this world.
This quick cilantro lime sauce is perfect for dolloping grain bowls, drizzling over tacos, and more. It’s a zingy version of ranch dressing meshed with the Mexican flavors of lime and cilantro. The best part: no blender required!
Here’s the pizza sauce recipe you’ve been looking for: this irresistibly tasty Homemade Pizza Sauce! All you need are 5 ingredients and a simple whiz in the blender. Dip your spoon in, and you’ll be absolutely amazed: it’s garlicky, rich, tangy and bright: all in just 5 minutes.
This Tartar Sauce recipe is one I can't live without! Seafood is loads tastier with this creamy sauce, punctuated with tangy pops of pickles and capers. Use it as a smear for a salmon burger or a dipping sauce for salmon cakes. This homemade sauce takes just a few minutes and results in incredible flavor: infinitely better than store-bought.
Here’s a genius kitchen move: 5-minute pesto cream sauce! Did you know you can simmer pesto and cream and it thickens into a sauce? Just throw these two ingredients into a pan and voila! You’ve got a beautiful, bright green sauce that’s perfect for pasta, and even better drizzled over salmon or grilled fish.
If you live in the Southern US, you already know the phenomenon that is white BBQ sauce. Yes, you can use this Alabama-style white sauce just like a red BBQ sauce: for basting, grilling and drizzling! It’s got a unique, creamy flavor and spicy finish: think black pepper and horseradish.
Here’s a quick and simple sauce that adds a zing to everything it touches: Lime Crema! This Mexican-inspired sauce requires just 4 ingredients and a few minutes to whip up: no blender needed. Use it to garnish tacos, tamales, quesadillas, burrito bowls and more.
Also try:
Need a sour cream sauce recipe…fast? This one takes just 5 minutes to put together: and it tastes incredible! This cooling sauce uses garlic, onion and chives to make a quick sauce that’s bursting with savory flavor. It’s great with roasted potatoes, or as a sauce to drizzle over chicken or fish.
Need a gooey sauce for dipping? Try this easy Cheese Sauce recipe! It’s lusciously smooth and creamy, ideal for draping over broccoli spears or pooling on top of fries. Even better: it’s so simple to whip up!
See also: Nacho Cheese Sauce
This cool and refreshing sauce you’ll want to slather on just about everything: cucumber sauce! Stir together shredded cucumber with Greek yogurt, lemon, garlic, and dill, and it’s nothing short of a revelation. It works on any sandwich, burger, or even a grilled veggie platter. Use it as a healthy dip, spread, or slather: you name it!
Behold the magic of this easy cocktail sauce recipe you can make at home! This one has become famous in my family because it’s just that good. It takes just 5 minutes to stir together, and makes your tastebuds dance with the depth of flavor.
This BBQ sauce recipe is so tangy and savory, you won’t want to buy store bought ever again! Whether it’s to paint onto burgers or steaks or shrimp, this homemade barbecue sauce goes with just about anything and takes only a few minutes to whip up.
Want a sauce with fall and winter flavors? This brown butter sage sauce hits all the right notes, with rich, nutty undertones punctuated by an herbaceous punch from the fresh sage. It’s simple to whip up and makes gnocchi, tortellini and ravioli taste like a dream! Brown butter, garlic, and sage work beautifully complemented by lemon zest to brighten.
Looking for a sauce that makes anything taste irresistible? Try this sun dried tomato cream sauce! It’s bursting with rich, creamy flavor with garlic, spinach, and earthy, bright bursts from tomatoes. Try it with pasta as a killer sauce, but it’s also great with chicken, salmon or other fish. Here’s how to make this simple sauce recipe!
We’re all about clutch sauces around here: any homemade sauce that can be made in minutes little pre-planning. And this one is too much fun: try this Buffalo Ranch sauce! In just a few minutes, you can make a killer sauce that’s creamy, tangy, spicy, savory, and ideal for dunking just about anything. Try it with veggie sticks, fries, or chicken thighs, or drizzle it over a crisp green salad.
Meet the perfect spicy sauce recipe: this easy chipotle sauce! It’s creamy, savory, smoky and spicy: all at once! Drizzle it over tacos or burritos — even a burrito bowl — and it adds so much flavor, you might want to bathe in it.
Want a great enchilada sauce that’s fast and easy to make? This homemade enchilada sauce is so tasty and simple. It takes just a handful of ingredients to get huge flavor. This full-bodied sauce is zingy, zesty, and you’ll never want to stop eating it.
Hello there, lusciously creamy, savory sweet dipping sauce. This epic Honey Mustard recipe is begging to be part of your life! All you need are 5 minutes to make this quick dip. Dunk in a crunchy fry and take a taste: the pop of flavor will make you a quick believer!
This delicious homemade teriyaki sauce takes only 5 minutes to make! It tastes better than store-bought teriyaki sauce, and has none of the added salt, sugar and preservatives. It comes together into a glossy, thick sauce perfect for stir fries and salmon.
Here’s a fantastic trick that makes fajitas in minutes: this easy Fajita Sauce recipe! It works with any protein: beans, chicken, shrimp or beef. The zingy flavor of bright lime and smoky adobo sauce makes the perfect pinto bean filling in Vegetarian Fajitas, or you can turn around and use it for shrimp fajitas.
This tasty stir fry sauce is a go-to for easy dinners! This one has a fantastic blend of flavors that’s savory, tangy and sweet, and it has just the right silky texture when you add it to the pan. Use it for any type of stir fry you like: vegetable, chicken, shrimp, beef and more!
Need a little something for your burger? Try this magic burgersauce! It’s just what a big sandwich needs: savory, salty, tangy, a little sweet: and totally irresistible. You know that classic Big Mac sauce (which is actually Russian Dressing)? This one is close to it: but even easier to make.
Tips for Building a Sauce Repertoire (Without Overwhelm)
The secret to using these sauces is starting small! I like picking three or four that interest you most, and getting those into your regular rotation. Here’s how I think about it:
- For pasta nights: Homemade Tomato Sauce, Pomodoro, and White Wine Sauce are my top hitters. Add Pesto Cream Sauce when you want something a little richer. For more ideas, browse my Pasta Sauce Recipes.
- For fish and seafood: Lemon Butter Sauce, Tartar Sauce, Lemon Dill Sauce, and Chimichurri are the ones I use for most. See my collection of Salmon Sauce Recipes, which work well for any type of fish.
- For bowls and vegetables: Tahini Sauce is my most used sauce; I also love Avocado Sauce and Cilantro Sauce.
- For grilling season: Chimichurri and Honey Garlic Sauce are the ones I love the most.
How to Store Homemade Sauces
Most of these sauces store well in the fridge. Here are some general guidelines:
- Tomato-based sauces (Tomato Sauce, Pomodoro, Arrabbiata): Refrigerate up to 5 days, freeze up to 3 months.
- Cream-based sauces (Cream Sauce, Pesto Cream, Tomato Cream): Refrigerate up to 4 days; these do not freeze well.
- Herb-based sauces (Pesto, Chimichurri, Pistou): Refrigerate up to 5 days; cover the surface with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent browning.
- Mayo and sour cream-based sauces (Aioli, Remoulade, Tartar Sauce, Horseradish Sauce): Refrigerate up to 1 week; do not freeze.
Homemade Tomato Sauce
Pin RecipeThis homemade tomato sauce recipe has simple ingredients that make big flavor! Here’s how to make this Italian staple.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 3 cups 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil, divided
- 1 medium red onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes, San Marzano or best quality
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 6 large basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat in a saucepan. Add the onion and garlic and cook gently for 5 minutes, until softened and fragrant. Add the tomatoes and remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring often.
- Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. Add the salt, sugar, oregano and basil and blend until combined.
- Return to the saucepan and simmer partially covered until thickened to the desired consistency, 15 to 30 minutes. Taste and adjust salt as desired. (Variations: Stir in red pepper flakes, a splash of cream, grated Parmesan cheese, or a splash of balsamic vinegar if desired.)
- Serve 2 cups tomato sauce with 8 ounces pasta, and top with Parmesan cheese, Pecorino Romano cheese, and/or red pepper flakes. Sauce stores refrigerated for 5 days or frozen for 3 months.
from A Couple Cooks https://ift.tt/YbHXeIs
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