Sauce recipes: easy homemade sauces, dips, pestos and condiments
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A good sauce can be creamy, tangy, spicy, sweet, savory, herbaceous or rich, depending on the ingredients and the dish you want to serve it with.
In this hub, you’ll find easy homemade sauce ideas for every occasion: mayonnaise, béchamel, pepper sauce, tomato sauce, pesto, chutney, teriyaki sauce, peanut sauce, gochujang sauce, yogurt sauce, hummus, tzatziki, fruit coulis and caramel.
Essential homemade sauces to start with
These recipes cover the most useful sauce basics: mayonnaise, béchamel, pepper sauce, tomato sauce and cheese sauce.
They are ideal when you want reliable sauces for pasta, gratins, sandwiches, vegetables, meat, fish, fries or appetizers. Mastering these classics makes everyday cooking easier and more flavorful.
They are ideal when you want reliable sauces for pasta, gratins, sandwiches, vegetables, meat, fish, fries or appetizers. Mastering these classics makes everyday cooking easier and more flavorful.
Mayonnaise and creamy cold sauces
Mayonnaise is one of the most versatile cold sauces because it works with eggs, sandwiches, salads, fries, seafood and raw vegetables.
These creamy sauces are useful when you want a smooth texture with different levels of richness: classic mayonnaise, olive oil mayonnaise, eggless milk mayonnaise, avocado mayonnaise and lighter egg-based versions.
These creamy sauces are useful when you want a smooth texture with different levels of richness: classic mayonnaise, olive oil mayonnaise, eggless milk mayonnaise, avocado mayonnaise and lighter egg-based versions.
Pesto recipes and herb sauces
Pesto brings fresh herbs, nuts, cheese and olive oil together into a sauce that works with pasta, toast, vegetables, sandwiches and appetizers.
Classic green pesto, red pesto, arugula pesto, zucchini pesto and pistachio pesto are all excellent ways to add instant flavor. Use them cold, stirred into hot pasta or spread onto bread.
Classic green pesto, red pesto, arugula pesto, zucchini pesto and pistachio pesto are all excellent ways to add instant flavor. Use them cold, stirred into hot pasta or spread onto bread.
Dips, hummus and yogurt sauces
Dips and yogurt sauces are perfect for aperitif time, raw vegetables, crackers, wraps, grilled dishes and fresh bowls.
Hummus, tzatziki, pea dip, feta yogurt sauce and Greek yogurt cucumber sauce bring creaminess and freshness without needing complicated preparation. They are easy to prepare ahead and serve chilled.
Hummus, tzatziki, pea dip, feta yogurt sauce and Greek yogurt cucumber sauce bring creaminess and freshness without needing complicated preparation. They are easy to prepare ahead and serve chilled.
Asian-style sauces and spicy condiments
Asian-inspired sauces often combine sweet, salty, spicy and tangy flavors in one preparation.
Teriyaki, peanut sauce, gochujang sauce, satay sauce and soy-based sauces are excellent with rice, noodles, tofu, chicken, salmon, vegetables and skewers. They are practical when you want bold flavor quickly.
Teriyaki, peanut sauce, gochujang sauce, satay sauce and soy-based sauces are excellent with rice, noodles, tofu, chicken, salmon, vegetables and skewers. They are practical when you want bold flavor quickly.
Chutneys, vinaigrettes and fresh dressings
Chutneys and dressings bring acidity, fruitiness and contrast to cheese boards, salads, sandwiches, grilled food and appetizers.
Mango chutney, green chutney, onion chutney, vinaigrette and citrus vinaigrette are useful for balancing rich dishes or adding a bright finish to fresh plates.
Mango chutney, green chutney, onion chutney, vinaigrette and citrus vinaigrette are useful for balancing rich dishes or adding a bright finish to fresh plates.
Pasta sauces and Italian classics
Pasta sauces turn a simple plate into a complete meal by coating the pasta with tomato, herbs, cheese, cream or vegetables.
Bolognese, pumpkin ricotta sauce, mushroom sauce, olive sauce and gorgonzola sauce are useful for quick dinners and comforting family meals. Keep a little pasta water to loosen the sauce and help it cling.
Bolognese, pumpkin ricotta sauce, mushroom sauce, olive sauce and gorgonzola sauce are useful for quick dinners and comforting family meals. Keep a little pasta water to loosen the sauce and help it cling.
Sweet sauces for desserts
Dessert sauces add the final touch to cakes, pancakes, ice cream, panna cotta, crepes and fruit.
Caramel, salted butter caramel, date caramel and fruit coulis bring shine, sweetness and a more polished finish to simple desserts. They can often be prepared ahead and kept for several servings.
Caramel, salted butter caramel, date caramel and fruit coulis bring shine, sweetness and a more polished finish to simple desserts. They can often be prepared ahead and kept for several servings.
How to choose the right sauce
Match the sauce to the dish.
Use fresh sauces with rich food, creamy sauces with lean ingredients, bold sauces with simple bases and sweet sauces for desserts.
Balance the flavors.
A good sauce often needs salt, acidity, sweetness, fat and aroma. Lemon, vinegar, herbs, spices or chili can quickly improve a sauce that tastes flat.
Adjust texture gradually.
Add water, milk, cream, pasta water, oil or broth little by little until the sauce coats the food without becoming too thin.
Taste before serving.
Sauces concentrate flavor. Always taste at the end and adjust salt, acidity, herbs or spice before serving.
Use fresh sauces with rich food, creamy sauces with lean ingredients, bold sauces with simple bases and sweet sauces for desserts.
Balance the flavors.
A good sauce often needs salt, acidity, sweetness, fat and aroma. Lemon, vinegar, herbs, spices or chili can quickly improve a sauce that tastes flat.
Adjust texture gradually.
Add water, milk, cream, pasta water, oil or broth little by little until the sauce coats the food without becoming too thin.
Taste before serving.
Sauces concentrate flavor. Always taste at the end and adjust salt, acidity, herbs or spice before serving.
Which sauce recipe should you choose?
For pasta:
Choose bolognese sauce, raw tomato sauce, green pesto, pumpkin ricotta sauce or mushroom sauce.
For appetizers:
Hummus, tzatziki, pea dip, cheese dip and yogurt feta sauce are easy to share.
For meat, fish or tofu:
Teriyaki sauce, pepper sauce, chimichurri, gochujang sauce and peanut sauce bring strong flavor.
For salads and bowls:
Vinaigrette, citrus vinaigrette, avocado mayonnaise and Greek yogurt cucumber sauce are fresh and practical.
For desserts:
Caramel, salted butter caramel, date caramel and fruit coulis are the best choices for pancakes, cakes and chilled desserts.
Choose bolognese sauce, raw tomato sauce, green pesto, pumpkin ricotta sauce or mushroom sauce.
For appetizers:
Hummus, tzatziki, pea dip, cheese dip and yogurt feta sauce are easy to share.
For meat, fish or tofu:
Teriyaki sauce, pepper sauce, chimichurri, gochujang sauce and peanut sauce bring strong flavor.
For salads and bowls:
Vinaigrette, citrus vinaigrette, avocado mayonnaise and Greek yogurt cucumber sauce are fresh and practical.
For desserts:
Caramel, salted butter caramel, date caramel and fruit coulis are the best choices for pancakes, cakes and chilled desserts.
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