21 Sauce Recipes Every Home Cook Should Master

Sauces are the foundation of flavorful cooking, and these 21 recipes will make you feel like a pro in your own kitchen. From smooth gravies to bold marinades and creamy dressings, this collection gives you the power to build flavor, balance dishes, and bring every meal together beautifully. Once you master these, you’ll never settle for bland again.

Honey Teriyaki Sauce Recipe (Paleo & Gluten Free)

The best honey teriyaki sauce and it’s paleo and gluten-free! It’s super easy to make this homemade paleo teriyaki sauce recipe. Try it with chicken, beef and salmon!
Get the Recipe: Honey Teriyaki Sauce Recipe (Paleo & Gluten Free)

The Best Homemade Keto BBQ Sauce (Low Carb & Gluten-Free)

This Keto BBQ Sauce is just what your low carb diet has been missing! This is the best low carb BBQ sauce recipe I've created! It's even better than store bought low carb barbecue sauce brands!
Get the Recipe: The Best Homemade Keto BBQ Sauce (Low Carb & Gluten-Free)

Low Carb Spaghetti Sauce

This Low Carb Spaghetti Sauce recipe is made with minimal ingredients and will soon become a family favorite. Bursting with flavor, this homemade keto spaghetti sauce will rival even the best store bought brands!
Get the Recipe: Low Carb Spaghetti Sauce

Texas BBQ Rub Recipe

A jar of homemade Texas BBQ rub. — Texas BBQ Rub Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This Texas BBQ Rub Recipe is a perfect blend of spices that will take your barbecue to the next level. Whether you’re grilling beef, pork, or chicken, this rub adds a delicious smoky flavor.
Get the Recipe: Texas BBQ Rub Recipe

Thai 7 Spice Seasoning

Thai 7 Spice is a blend of spices used to add bold flavor to your favorite Thai dishes. This versatile seasoning mix is perfect for enhancing the taste of many recipes.
Get the Recipe: Thai 7 Spice Seasoning

Homemade Zesty Italian Seasoning and Dressing Mix

This Homemade Zesty Italian Seasoning and Dressing Mix combines herbs and spices to create a flavorful seasoning and dressing for salads, pasta, and more.
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BBQ Sauce

This homemade BBQ Sauce is a low-carb alternative that doesn't compromise on flavor. It blends tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, sweetener, and spices, creating a smoky, slightly sweet, and tangy taste. The sauce is suitable for various recipes, enhancing meats and side dishes. It takes about 35 minutes to prepare and is easy to store, making it a convenient and healthier choice compared to store-bought sauces.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Sauce

Beer Cheese Sauce

Cheese dip in a white bowl. — Beer Cheese Sauce. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

Elevate your appetizer game with this Beer Cheese Sauce, a delightful and quick addition to your keto-friendly sauce collection. It pairs wonderfully with pretzels, chips, or veggies. The recipe, taking about 30 minutes in total, uses beer and a mix of flavorful ingredients, offering a rich and cheesy dip that's perfect for casual gatherings or game nights. Each serving is just 2 net carbs, making it a guilt-free indulgence for those following a diet.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Sauce

Blueberry Jam

A jar of jam with a spoon next to it. — Blueberry Jam. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

Revel in the delightful blend of fresh blueberries and cinnamon with this Blueberry Jam. It's a low-carb, easy-to-make jam that takes only about 15 minutes. The use of chia seeds gives it a wonderful texture while keeping it keto-friendly. This jam is versatile, great on toast or as a topping for desserts. It's a fantastic way to enjoy the sweetness of blueberries without the extra carbs, making it suitable for a diet.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Jam

A Sweet Sticky Spicy Bourbon Glaze

A close-up of a spoon being dipped into a thick, dark marinade sauce with visible seeds and spices. — A Sweet Sticky Spicy Bourbon Glaze. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

This Sweet, Sticky, Spicy Bourbon Glaze brings bold, sweet-savory umami to grilled meats, fish, and shellfish. A must-have for your grilling lineup!
Get the Recipe: A Sweet Sticky Spicy Bourbon Glaze

Eastern North Carolina Vinegar Barbecue Sauce

Close-up of a glass jar filled with liquid containing chili flakes. A spoon is dipped into the mixture, and the vibrant red and orange colors of the chili stand out against the clear liquid. — Eastern North Carolina Vinegar Barbecue Sauce. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

If you’re all about bold, no-nonsense barbecue, Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce is essential. Tangy, fiery, and built to cut through rich, smoky meats, it’s the secret weapon your brisket, pulled pork, and grilled chicken have been waiting for. And if you catch yourself sneaking a spoonful straight from the jar—well, who could blame you?
Get the Recipe: Eastern North Carolina Vinegar Barbecue Sauce

Grandma's Marinara Sauce

A pan of marinara sauce with a wooden spatula. — Grandma's Marinara Sauce. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This is my grandparents' marinara sauce recipe, which is meat free. We use when you're having pizza night or need to put together a lasagna.
Get the Recipe: Grandma's Marinara Sauce

Copycat Chipotle Chili Corn Salsa

Discover how to make your own Copycat Chipotle Chili Corn Salsa with our easy-to-follow recipe. Enjoy the perfect blend of sweet corn, spicy chiles, and zesty lime, just like your favorite Chipotle version at home!
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Best Cream Cheese Fruit Dip Recipe

Indulge in the perfect blend of creamy and sweet with our Cream Cheese Fruit Dip! Ideal for snacks or parties. Ready in 10 minutes!
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10-Minute Oregano Pesto Recipe

A delightful twist on the classic, this Oregano Pesto recipe will infuse your dishes with a robust and aromatic flavor that’s sure to impress.
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Homemade Peanut Butter

Whip up a batch of smooth and creamy peanut butter in mere minutes with this easy recipe. All you need are peanuts and a high-powered blender or food processor.
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3 Ingredient Ham Glaze

Sliced roast ham garnished with herbs and pomegranate seeds, served with roasted potato wedges on a plate. A checkered cloth is in the background. — 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

This 3-ingredient ham glaze—orange juice, brown sugar, and mustard—creates a sweet, tangy, glossy finish. Perfect for bone-in or spiral ham, it’s a holiday-worthy upgrade for any meal.
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Simple and Delicious Fig Jam

A jar of fig jam next to a spoon with jam on it, placed on a marble surface. — Simple and Delicious Fig Jam. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

This Simple and Delicious Fig Jam comes together in under an hour with figs, sugar, citrus peel, and lemon juice. Perfect for elevating everyday dishes—and it keeps for three months in the fridge!
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Goat Cheese Pizza Sauce

A hand holding a slice of freshly baked pizza with cheese stretching between the slice and the rest of the pizza. — Goat Cheese Pizza Sauce. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Add a pop of unexpected but delicious flavor to your pizza sauce by blending in goat cheese, yes, goat cheese.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Pizza Sauce

Vegan Pesto Sauce

Homemade basil pesto in a glass jar surrounded by fresh basil leaves and a slice of lemon. — Vegan Pesto Sauce. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Nonna may not be vegan but she taught us how to make a basic basil pesto sauce. With a few substitutions, this becomes a wonderful vegan option for serving over pasta.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Pesto Sauce

Homemade Mayonnaise

A bowl of mayonnaise with a spoonful. — Homemade Mayonnaise. Photo credit: Eggs All Ways.

Homemade mayonnaise with avocado oiloffers a smooth, rich twist on the classic spread. By blending avocado oil withegg yolks, a touch of lemon, and a pinch of salt, you create a creamy,versatile condiment ideal for spreading on sandwiches and dipping.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Mayonnaise