• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sweet Cayenne
  • ABOUT
    • Work With Me
  • RECIPES
    • All Recipes
    • RECIPES BY CATEGORY
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments
    • Desserts
    • Main Entree
    • Sides
    • Snacks
    • How-To Guides
  • NEWSLETTER
  • CONTACT
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • NEWSLETTER
  • CONTACT
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ABOUT
    • RECIPES
    • NEWSLETTER
    • CONTACT
    • PHOTOGRAPHY
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home > Condiments

    15+ Amazing Homemade Sauces and Condiments

    Published: Jul 23, 2020 by Whitney Reist · This post may contain affiliate links |

    This roundup features 15+ amazing recipes for homemade sauces and condiments you'll want to make again and again. From dips to spreads, dressings, and syrups, I've got fresh and flavorful options for any dish!

    A collage of 6 homemade sauces in mason jars on a white marble countertop.

    If you're trying to eat more at home and are wondering what are some good sauces to take your dishes to the next level, I've got you covered! This roundup features my best recipes for condiments, syrups, spreads, and sauces along with serving suggestions of how to use them. I've got great, healthy options that feature seasonal ingredients, garden-fresh herbs and produce, and spices to make everything extra flavorful.

    Jump to:
    • Savory Sauces
    • Simple Dressings
    • Sumptuous Spreads
    • Sweet Syrups
    • Spectacular Jams
    • Comments
    Two mason jars filled with red enchilada sauce on a wooden cutting board.
    Classic Red Enchilada Sauce

    Savory Sauces

    Classic Red Enchilada Sauce
    Yield: two pint-sized jars (32 ounces)
    See the recipe
    Two mason jars filled with red enchilada sauce on a wooden cutting board.

    Uses for red enchilada sauce:

    • Nachos
    • Soup base
    • Cooking medium for shredded chicken in the slow cooker or Instant Pot
    Easy Homemade Taco Sauce
    This recipe for easy homemade taco sauce is a copycat recipe for Ortega brand taco sauce and can easily be made with a can of tomato sauce plus a few spices!
    See the recipe
    Overhead shot of a while bowl filled with easy homemade taco sauce on a marble surface.

    Use this taco sauce on:

    • Scrambled Eggs
    • Migas with Chorizo and Poblano Peppers
    • Grocery Shopping Day Chicken Tacos
    • Weeknight Chicken Tostadas
    • Nachos
    5-Minute Pizza Sauce
    Learn to make this authentic 5-minute pizza sauce just the way they do in ITALY - easy, fast, and SO fresh!
    See the recipe
    An overhead shot of a white bowl with tomato pizza sauce and can of San Marzano tomatoes on the side.

    Uses for 5-Minute Pizza Sauce:

    • Dip for breadsticks
    • Pasta sauce base
    • Pizza topping
    • Dip for calzones
    • Baked Chicken Parmesan
    • Roasted Cauliflower Parmesan
    Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce
    If you are looking for an amazing basic bbq sauce recipe that highlights the flavor of summertime, then this Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce recipe is perfect!
    See the recipe
    A close-up shot of a spoon over a saucepan with a scoop of peach bourbon bbq sauce.

    Uses for Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce:

    • Peach BBQ Chicken Pizza
    • Peach BBQ Chicken Kabobs
    • Smoked brisket and pulled pork
    An overhead shot of a large saucepan filled with peach bourbon bbq sauce sitting on a white marble countertop.
    Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce

    Simple Dressings

    Honey Mustard Dressing
    This simple honey mustard dressing is an easy homemade vinaigrette that you can whip up at a moment's notice to serve on salads or as a dip or spread!
    See the recipe
    A spoon dipping into a glass bowl of honey mustard dressing.

    Uses for Honey Mustard Dressing:

    • Oven-Fried Chicken Tenders
    • Strawberry Pretzel Chicken Wraps
    • As a grilled chicken marinade
    Fresh Mint Vinaigrette
    This fresh mint vinaigrette is a perfect summer salad dressing that can be made with any type of mint from your garden!
    See the recipe
    A close up overhead shot of a plate with arugula salad and a white bowl with mint dressing on the side.

    Uses for Fresh Mint Vinaigrette:

    • Everyday Springtime Salad
    • On fresh fruit for a fruit salad
    • Drizzled on fresh mozzarella, feta, or goat cheese
    • On a Watermelon Flag Salad
    Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing
    This creamy avocado ranch dressing is 100% made from scratch and 100% filled with the ranch flavor we all know and love, with the addition of creamy avocado and a hint of lime!
    See the recipe
    A white bowl filled with creamy avocado ranch dressing on a blue stone counter with limes on the side.

    Use this Avocado Ranch on:

    • Tortilla chips
    • Weeknight Chicken Tostadas
    • Veggie crudites platter
    • Enchilada drizzle
    5 Ingredient Lemon Tahini Dressing
    This creamy lemon tahini dressing is only 5 ingredients and can be whipped up in 2 minutes flat. This recipe is low carb as well.
    See the recipe
    A jar of lemon tahini sauce on a gray towel with juiced lemons on the side.

    Uses for Lemon Tahini Dressing:

    • Roasted Sesame Sweet Potatoes
    • Grilled chicken or lamb
    • On roasted potatoes and roasted veggies
    • As a dressing for grain bowls
    A white bowl filled with creamy avocado ranch dressing on a blue stone counter with limes on the side.
    Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing

    Sumptuous Spreads

    Homemade Pesto
    Make pesto at home! This easy recipe for homemade pesto is great way to use up basil from your garden and any fresh greens you may have.
    See the recipe
    An overhead shot of a food processor with basil pesto inside.

    Uses for homemade pesto:

    • Pizza or pasta sauce
    • Cheese board topping
    • Bruschetta topping
    • Dressing for a salad or grain bowl
    Roasted Poblano Enchilada Sauce
    Roasted Poblanos are used to make this green enchilada sauce. This sauce can be used over enchiladas, to smother burritos, as a breakfast taco filling, or on omelets!
    See the recipe
    Side overhead view of a bowl full of poblano enchilada sauce.
    Slow Cooker Spiced Apple Butter
    This thick and velvety spiced apple butter is a delicious recipe for cooking apple butter in the crockpot and canning it to enjoy all winter long. It makes for a perfect foodie gift to surprise your family and friends!
    See the recipe
    A jar of apple butter wrapped with twine and a gift tag with other jars and a Christmas tree in the background.

    Use this apple butter on Whole Grain Buttermilk Cornbread.

    Salted Maple Pecan Butter
    This salted maple pecan butter recipe is one of my favorite nut butters to make at home! It is such a yummy alternative to peanut butter and easy to make! 
    See the recipe
    An overhead shot of a mason jar with maple pecan butter inside. The top is garnished with a pecan halve and some sea salt flakes.

    Use this salted maple pecan butter on Pecan Butter and Peach Jam Crumble Bars.

    An overhead shot of a food processor with basil pesto inside.

    Sweet Syrups

    Strawberry Lavender Syrup
    A simple syrup naturally flavored with strawberry and lavendar.
    See the recipe
    A jar of strawberry lavender syrup on a cutting board with lemons, strawberries, and tea bags on the side.

    Use this Strawberry Lavender Syrup on Overnight Ricotta French Toast or a lemonade mix in.

    Hot Honey Drizzle
    This easy recipe for hot honey drizzle is only 5 ingredients and makes for a great addition to a cheese or charcuterie board!
    See the recipe
    A small crock with a handle filled with hot honey drizzle and a wooden scoop on the side.

    Use this Hot Honey Drizzle as a topping for pizza, on a cheese board, or on toast with ricotta cheese.

    Easy Boiled Apple Cider Syrup
    This easy Boiled Apple Cider Syrup is laced with the flavor of cinnamon and is a delicious flavor booster for adding to your favorite fall baked goods, like apple pies and cider donuts!
    See the recipe
    A jar of boiled apple cider syrup sitting on a wooden plate with a small spoon on the side.

    Use this boiled apple cider syrup in these recipes:

    • Apple Cider Sweet Potato Casserole
    • Boiled Cider Pecan Pralines
    • Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Apple Cider
    • Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes
    Fresh Mint Simple Syrup
    This fresh mint simple syrup is a dark syrup made with raw sugar. It's perfect for sweetening your favorite cold beverages!
    See the recipe
    A bunch of fresh chopped mint in a saucepan filled with simple syrup.

    Use this Fresh Mint Simple Syrup in Company's Coming Cold Brew Iced Tea, as a glaze on cakes and donuts, a drink mix-in, or on fruit!

    A jar of strawberry lavender syrup on a cutting board with lemons, strawberries, and tea bags on the side.

    Spectacular Jams

    Small Batch Strawberry Jam
    This simple recipe for small batch strawberry jam is made with lower sugar and without pectin. It is my favorite way to preserve fresh summer strawberries and is so easy to make at home!
    See the recipe
    A jar of strawberry jam on top of a bed of fresh strawberries.
    Old-Fashioned Peach Jam
    This delicious peach jam recipe is adapted from my favorite canning cookbook, Canning For a New Generation, by Liana Krissoff.
    See the recipe
    A shot of a blue wicker basket filled with dahlias and a jar of homemade peach jam.
    Easy Apricot Jam for a Canning & Preserving Novice
    This easy recipe for apricot jam is perfect for the beginners who want to try their hand at canning or preserving beautiful summer produce.
    See the recipe
    This easy recipe for apricot jam is perfect for beginners who want to try canning for the first time.
    Old-Fashioned Peach Jam

    Are you ready to make some spectacular sauces and condiments? I’m so excited to see what you come up with.

    If you make any of these recipes, I'd love to know how they turn out for you! Leave a comment and rate the recipe below. This will help me with the creation of future recipes! 

    I’d also love to feature your creation in my monthly newsletter, so you can upload a photo to Instagram or Twitter with the tag @sweetcayenne5 to be featured!

    Don't miss these recipes!

    • A jar of cherry jam surrounded by a background of cherries.
      Small Batch Sweet Cherry Jam
    • A jar of strawberry jam on top of a bed of fresh strawberries.
      Small Batch Strawberry Jam
    • A spoon dipping into a glass bowl of honey mustard dressing.
      Simple Honey Mustard Dressing
    • A jar of strawberry lavender syrup on a cutting board with lemons and strawberries on the side.
      Strawberry Lavender Syrup

    Want more?

    Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get exclusive content (like menus, cooking downloads, and more!), blog recaps, and a chance to connect or be featured!

    Affiliate Disclosure

    Many of the links in my posts are affiliate links, which means I can get a small commission for any click or purchases made through the links. I am also an Amazon Associate and I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hello there!

    I'm Whitney, the chef, photographer, dietitian, and blogger-extraordinaire behind Sweet Cayenne. Welcome to my online kitchen!

    About Whitney & Sweet Cayenne

    What's In Season

    • A pink bowl on a cutting board filled with sweet potato lentil curry and rice.
      Sweet Potato Lentil Curry with Coconut and Spinach
    • A cinnamon roll on a white rimmed plate.
      Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls
    • A cinnamon apple cake with two slices cut out on a piece of parchment paper with a navy blue background.
      15+ Healthy Apple Recipes
    • Bell Pepper Nachos
    • An up-close shot of a white bowl of Southern-style pasta e Fagioli.
      Southern-Style Pasta e Fagioli
    • Two Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders on a blue ceramic plate with a baking dish of sliders and blue napkin in the background.
      Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders

    Free cookbook and menu planners!

    Subscribe to my weekly newsletter & receive a free e-cookbook of my 25 best recipes along with menu planning sheets!

    Cozy Cooking:

    A pink bowl on a cutting board filled with sweet potato lentil curry and rice.

    Sweet Potato Lentil Curry with Coconut and Spinach

    An overhead shot of a white soup ramekin filled with ribolita soup and topped with crusty bread on black background.

    Instant Pot + Slow Cooker Ribolita (Italian Bread Soup)

    A gray plate of red beans and rice with a gingham dish towel and a glass of water on the side.

    Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

    An overhead shot of a white bowl filled with turkey and drop biscuit dumplings.

    Turkey and Drop Biscuit Dumplings (Instant Pot or Stovetop)

    A white bowl of soup filled with posole verde and garnished with avocado and cilantro.

    Instant Pot Chicken Posole Verde

    An overhead shot of a wicker charger with parchment paper and Mango Mojo Chicken Tacos with a side of mojo sauce and avocado ranch on the side.

    Mango Mojo Chicken Tacos

    Travel Here Next:

    • The product wall of skincare items at Lemon Laine Oil Bar in Nashville, TN.
      Nashville Finds: Lemon Laine Oil Bar
    • A girl standing on a beach in Positano, Italy.
      Positano, Italy: Budget-Friendly Travel Guide
    • A photo of Civita di Bagnoregio in Italy
      The Best Tuscan Road Trip Itinerary + Tips on Driving in Italy
    • A traveling foodie's guide to the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy - including what to taste in Parma, Modena, and Bologna! European travel guide and itinerary.
      A Foodie's Guide to Emilia-Romagna, Italy

    Cooking Guides

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Photography Services

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 SweetCayenne