29 dips and sauces for when the main dish needs a little help
Dips and sauces are the quiet multitaskers of the kitchen. They add flavor, texture, and just enough interest to keep things from feeling repetitive. Once you start using them, it’s hard to go back to plain.
White Queso Dip
This white queso dip is creamy, smooth, and just the right amount of spicy with roasted jalapeños. It’s surprisingly easy to make at home and tastes just like the kind you get at your favorite Mexican restaurant. Get the recipe: White Queso Dip
Easy Bang Bang Sauce Recipe
Bang bang sauce takes about a minute to make and somehow goes with everything. It’s creamy, a little sweet, a little spicy, and perfect on shrimp, chicken, or whatever’s headed for your plate next. Get the recipe: Easy Bang Bang Sauce Recipe
Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing
This easy dairy-free ranch is perfect when you’re skipping dairy or doing a Whole30. It’s still super creamy, loaded with savory seasonings and fresh herbs, and totally satisfying. Get the recipe: Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing
French Onion Dip
This homemade French onion dip is made from scratch with cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, butter, garlic, and golden caramelized onions. Rich, creamy, and full of flavor, it’s everything you want in a classic party dip. Guaranteed to be more delicious than anything store-bought. Get the recipe: French Onion Dip
Creamy Avocado Cilantro Sauce
This creamy avocado cilantro lime sauce is about to be your new go-to. It’s smooth, tangy, and perfect on everything from salads to pasta, adding a fresh twist to anything you’re making. Get the recipe: Avocado Cilantro Sauce
Spicy Dipping Sauce Recipe
This delicious spicy dipping sauce is the perfect balance of creamy and spicy, made with simple ingredients. With just a few easy steps, you’ll have a versatile condiment with appetizers, meats, veggies, and especially onion rings. Get the recipe: Spicy Dipping Sauce Recipe
Apple and Pear Chutney
Savor the flavors of autumn with this scrumptious apple and pear chutney. It’s flavorful enough to enjoy on its own or perfect alongside rich dishes for an extra pop of seasonal taste. Get the recipe: Apple and Pear Chutney
Peanut Butter Dip
This peanut butter dip comes together in under 10 minutes and somehow tastes way more indulgent than it is. It’s gluten-free, secretly wholesome, and ridiculously good with apples, strawberries, bananas, or whatever fruit you’ve got around. Get the recipe: Peanut Butter Dip
Easy Red Chimichurri Sauce
Red chimichurri sauce (chimichurri rojo) combines roasted red bell peppers, herbs, garlic, and a smoky touch of Spanish paprika for a rich, bold sauce. It’s perfect for grilled meats but also works as a dipping sauce or marinade. Get the recipe: Easy Red Chimichurri Sauce
Deviled Egg Dip
Deviled eggs, but make it a dip. It’s the kind of easy snack that works for parties, family hangs, or just when you’re standing in the kitchen with a cracker and no shame. Get the recipe: Deviled Egg Dip
Homemade Balsamic Glaze
This homemade balsamic glaze deserves a spot in your kitchen lineup. Drizzle it over salads, grilled veggies, or meat, and take every bite to the next level with its rich, sweet kick. Get the recipe: How to Make Balsamic Glaze
Lemon Herb Sauce
If you’re looking for something fresh, flavorful, and secretly good for you, this lemon herb sauce is it. It comes together in minutes, tastes amazing on just about everything, and makes you look like you really know what you’re doing in the kitchen. Get the recipe: Lemon Herb Sauce
Tzatziki Sauce Recipe
This easy, homemade healthy tzatziki sauce combines Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, fresh herbs, zesty lemon juice, and minced garlic. It’s the perfect dip or sauce to complement all your Mediterranean-inspired meals. Get the recipe: Tzatziki Sauce Recipe
Healthy Chick-fil-A Sauce
This healthy Chick-Fil-A sauce gives you the same creamy, tangy, sweet taste as the original, but with Greek yogurt for a lighter twist. It’s the perfect homemade dip for chicken, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, and anything else you want to dress up. Get the recipe: Healthy Chick-fil-A Sauce
Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip
Greek yogurt ranch is a healthier twist on the classic dressing you didn’t know you needed. It’s creamy, tangy, and packed with protein. Plus, it’s super easy to whip up, so you can enjoy that ranch flavor anytime. Get the recipe: Homemade Ranch Dressing
Vegan Satay Sauce
This creamy, nutty, mildly spicy vegan satay sauce is one of those everything sauces. Use it as a dip, drizzle it over salads, or toss it with noodles. It brings big flavor with barely any effort. Get the recipe: Vegan Satay Sauce
Chimichurri Sauce
Want to make your steak stand out? Try Chimichurri! This simple mix of olive oil and herbs will take your steak, chicken, or seafood to a whole new level. Get the recipe: Chimichurri Sauce
Cheesy Baked Mexican Street Corn Dip
This cheesy baked street corn dip is basically party fuel. Sweet corn, spices, cream cheese, and cotija come together in one ridiculously good scoop. Get the recipe: Cheesy Baked Mexican Street Corn Dip
Quick Tartar Sauce
This quick homemade tartar sauce is a winner for seafood fans. Creamy, tangy, and downright delicious, it’s the perfect match for crispy fish fillets, golden fries, and everything in between. Get the recipe: Homemade Tartar Sauce
Soy-Free Soy Sauce
This soy-free soy sauce is your new secret weapon for stir-fries and dipping. Full of bold flavour and that signature umami punch, minus the soy. Get the recipe: Soy-Free Soy Sauce Substitute
Chipotle Aioli
This chipotle aioli is creamy, smoky, and just spicy enough to make everything better. Use it as a dip or drizzle it over tacos, burrito bowls, grilled chicken, or whatever you’re making for dinner. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and seriously delicious. Get the recipe: Chipotle Aioli
Butternut Squash Dip
This butternut squash dip is rich, creamy, and naturally sweet, thanks to the roasted squash. It feels indulgent but is surprisingly light, making it a go-to for holiday gatherings or anytime you want a crowd-pleasing snack. Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Dip
Spicy Dill Pickle Dip
This spicy dill pickle dip is a recipe that gets made all the time. With the perfect balance of tangy, spicy, and creamy, it’s an irresistible appetizer that will keep you and your guests coming back for more. Get the recipe: Spicy Dill Pickle Dip
Chipotle Black Bean Dip
This chipotle black bean dip brings smoky heat with every bite, making it a must-have for any spread. It’s the perfect dip to pair with crispy chips or fresh veggies. Get the recipe: Chipotle Black Bean Dip
Pepperoni Pizza Dip
Hot pepperoni pizza dip is cheesy, tangy, and loaded with crispy pepperoni. Cream cheese, mozzarella, and marinara make it the ultimate game day or get-together snack. Serve it with homemade pizza dough rolls. Get the recipe: Pepperoni Pizza Dip
Low Carb Bechamel Sauce
This keto béchamel sauce is rich, creamy, and perfect for adding a little luxury to any meal. It’s a velvety, low carb way to make comfort food feel totally guilt free. Get the recipe: Low Carb Bechamel Sauce
Whipped Cottage Cheese Dip
This whipped cottage cheese dip is the high-protein snack you didn’t know you needed. It is a creamy mix of cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic, and it is even better topped with roasted tomatoes and scooped up with bread or crackers. Get the recipe: Whipped Cottage Cheese Dip
Quick Miso Sauce
This quick miso sauce is full of umami and made with just seven simple ingredients. Delicious on everything from noodles and rice to salads and stir-fries. It is also a tasty marinade, salad dressing, and dip for veggies. Get the recipe: Miso Sauce
Creamy Jalapeño Sauce
A good sauce can take any meal from basic to next-level, and this creamy jalapeño sauce nails it. Creamy and a little spicy, and ready in five minutes, it’s perfect on tacos, bowls, and roasted veggies. Get the recipe: Creamy Jalapeño Sauce