Top 11 All-Time Favourite Sauces (2024)

What would the world be like without sauce? Especially these 11 top sauces.

Recently, my not-so-little brother and I were discussing this very question. We agreed that a world without sauce would be a dismal place indeed.

Terms like ‘devoid of sauce’, ‘sauceless’, and ‘un-saucy’ were bandied about. Not exactly a pretty picture.

So today I wanted to have a little ‘celebration of sauce’ and share with you my top 11 favourite recipes.

11 Top Sauces

1. hummus

Is it a dip? A sauce? Or a spread? There are few things more versatile, delicious or healthy than this Middle Eastern classic. And even better, it’s a cynch to make using canned chickpeas.

2. home made mayonnaise

After mastering the art of making mayonnaise in the food processor, without it splitting, mayo consumption has definitely increased in my house. These days I often substitute half the oil for melted butter to make a no-stir ‘cheat’s’ hollondaise. Dangerously addictive.

3. ‘nut’ sauce

RECIPE BELOW. This is a really lovely condiment inspired by the Turkish sauce, ‘tarator’. Similar to hummus but a little more complex with the lovely nutty flavour. Traditionally served with fish but lovely anywhere you need a creamy, nutty sauce with a bit of a kick.

4. chilli oil

I pretty much always have a bottle of chilli oil in the fridge. Great for adding instant heat to dishes in need of a little help. It’s also a wonderful sauce in its own right to serve with chicken, pan fried halloumi or even a simple pasta. My Irishman loves it with his morning eggs and avocado.

5. BBQ sauce

Essential for BBQ season. Great with anything from steak to ribs to chicken.

6. yoghurt sauce

This is the simplest of sauces. Get yourself a good quality natural yoghurt, season generously with salt and pepper. And hey presto.. instant sauce. A healthier alternative to mayonnaise, it’s heavenly with falaffels, fish, chicken or roast lamb.

7. sicilian nut pesto

A wonderful dairy-free pesto. Or try this tomato almond pesto for an delicious twist on the classic.

8. almond cream

This was inspired by one of my favourite Melbourne restaurants – Cumulus Inc. I first served it with roast pork and carrots and have since used it as a more interesting option than mayonnaise. Great with roast cauliflower and chickpeas.

9. walnut & white bean puree

This is a different take on hummus. Wonderful with grilled or roast veg as a sauce / mash accompaniment.

10. harissa

A super simple version of the classic Moroccan condiment. A little goes a long way. Best to serve on the side so everyone can add depending on their own heat tolerance.

11. beetroot pesto

I just LOVE this idea, so don’t let the thought that it’s come in at number 11 put you off. Basically the idea is to replace the fresh basil leaves in pesto with cooked beetroot. Just heavenly.

VARIATIONS
budget – swap some or all of the nuts for torn chunks of rustic bread. Sourdough is great.

nut-free – replace nuts with cooked or canned legumes such as cannellini beans, butter beans or chickpeas. You might need a little more or less vinegar.

no sherry vinegar? – Use lemon juice or other wine vinegars. Rice vinegar is great.

different nuts – pine nuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans, peanuts (or use peanut butter with less water). So many options.

More Recipes

• Addictive Artichoke Aioli
• Ginger Almond Sauce
• Tomato Almond Pesto
• Parsley Walnut Salsa
• Avocado Butter
• Lemon Miso Sauce