Mongolian Grill Stir-Fry Sauce

My favorite thing to make with a wok (and of course you can make it indoors with a wok on the stovetop) is stir-fry, and in particular, stir-fry with a Mongolian Grill stir-fry sauce. Just cook anything you want, like beef, chicken, shrimp, pork. Add some veggies. And just as everything is about done, add some of this magical sauce. Let it get warm then serve. That’s it!

Mongolian Grill Stir-Fry Sauce

The Perfect Sauce For A Stir-Fry

I love making a stir-fry on my Weber charcoal grill using this Mongolian Grill stir-fry sauce. The grill is big and easy to light. Weber has come out with their Gourmet BBQ System, which fits several of Weber’s grills, but mainly the 22 1/2″ charcoal grills. The system lets you cook with anything from a wok to a pizza stone. I love it.

I make a double (or even more) batch of this sauce and keep it in the fridge. If you prep all the meats ahead of time, you can have an easy-to-make dinner in no time. Or I can use it to make a crazy good side dish in minutes.

Also try my Thai peanut chicken with Ramen.

Mongolian Grill Stir-Fry Sauce
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5 from 1 vote

Mongolian Grill Stir-Fry Sauce

My favorite thing to make with a wok (and of course you can make it indoors with a wok on the stovetop) is stir-fry, and in particular, stir-fry with a Mongolian Grill stir-fry sauce.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword Asian, sauce
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 1 cup
Calories 301kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  • Stir in the ginger powder and garlic and sauté for 3-4 minutes.
  • Add the remaining ingredients.
  • Bring to a boil, stirring until the brown sugar dissolves.
  • Reduce the heat and let simmer until slightly thickened.
  • Add sauce to cooked stir fry just before serving. I use about 1/4 cup per serving.

Notes

Store leftover sauce in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 6579mg | Potassium: 366mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 55g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sriracha Horseradish Sauce

I made a fantastic prime rib on my Char-Broil Big Easy the other day. I needed a rockin’ good horseradish sauce to go with it. One with some serious kick besides just a horseradish kick. And this Sriracha horseradish sauce is it. This is perfect for dipping prime rib. Or a French dip sandwich.

Sriracha Horseradish Sauce

Nicely Spicy

It has some ‘tang’ to it, for sure, and that great Sriracha heat. The horseradish is there for sure. But it’s not overpowering at all. That’s a good thing. For me, a little horseradish goes a long, long ways. I found the amount in this sriracha horseradish sauce to be perfect for my tastes.

I also made a great homemade au jus for the prime rib. The entire dinner was absolutely fantastic. I still dream about it.

This Sriracha horseradish sauce would also go absolutely great with my copycat Arby’s Beef-n-Cheddar sandwich.

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4.67 from 3 votes

Sriracha Horseradish Sauce

This sauce has some ‘tang’ to it, for sure, and that great Sriracha heat. Not overpowering at all, which was a good thing, since for me, a little horseradish goes a long, long ways.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword horseradish, sauce, spicy
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 cup
Calories 481kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Whisk together the horseradish, sour cream, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Stir in a few good squirts of Sriracha sauce. Don’t be shy.
  • Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Notes

You can also use your favorite hot sauce in place of the Sriracha.

Nutrition

Calories: 481kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 26g | Cholesterol: 118mg | Sodium: 475mg | Potassium: 606mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1436IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 293mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Homemade Au Jus

I made a fantastic prime rib on my Char-Broil Big Easy the other day. I needed a rockin’ good homemade au jus to go with it. And this is it. I couldn’t get enough drippings off the rib roast to make an au jus, so this was the next-best-thing. Great beefy flavor.

Homemade au jus

Makes A Lot. And That’s A Good Thing.

This recipe for homemade au jus makes a pretty good sized batch (about 3 cups or so), but if you’re like me you’ll use a good amount. I like to freeze any leftover sauce. It’s great for dipping French dip sandwiches too.

I also made a kickin’ Sriracha horseradish sauce for the prime rib. The entire dinner was absolutely fantastic. I still dream about it.

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3.67 from 3 votes

Homemade Au Jus

This recipe for homemade au jus makes a pretty good sized batch (about 3 cups or so), but if you’re like me you’ll use a good amount.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword dipping sauce, homemade
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 3 cups
Calories 2kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Put water, bouillon, and soy sauce in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
  • Whisk in the garlic powder until combined.
  • Season with salt and pepper as desired.
  • Lower heat and keep warm until ready to serve.

Notes

Also great made using Better than Bouillon.

Nutrition

Calories: 2kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 144mg | Potassium: 10mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Memphis Rib Rub

There was a time when I purchased many of the rubs I used for cooking. Especially when it came to smoking pork butt or ribs. Now, I just use this simple but very tasty version of a Memphis rib rub. This fantastic seasoning mix is based on a recipe from Myron Mixon.

Memphis Rib Rub

Sweet Heat

A little sweet, and a little heat (add more cayenne if you like) makes this Memphis rib rub perfect. It made my St. Louis-style ribs (and tips) something great. This recipe makes a nice big batch. Just store any extra in an air-tight container out of the light and away from heat.

I keep my homemade spice mixes in resealable containers. To identify them I write the name of the mix and the date on painter’s blue tape. The tape comes off easily when I’m done with the mix so I can re-use the containers for other things.

This rub is great on smoked St Louis-style ribs.

Memphis Rib Rub
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5 from 1 vote

Memphis Rib Rub

There was a time when I purchased many of the rubs I used for cooking, specially when it came to smoking pork butt or ribs. Now, I just use this simple but very tasty version of a Memphis rib rub based on a recipe from Myron Mixon.
Course Spice Mixture
Cuisine American
Keyword ribs, seasoning
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Calories 557kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients.

Notes

Store in an air-tight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 557kcal | Carbohydrates: 132g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7152mg | Potassium: 700mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 109g | Vitamin A: 4487IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 208mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

This is my go-to simple sweet and sour sauce. Perfect on our sweet and sour meatball sliders. We also use this sauce on our appetizer meatballs and chicken with rice. And stir-fried shrimp with rice. Well, any time you need sweet and sour sauce, this is the perfect homemade solution!

Sweet and Sour Meatball Sliders

Great On Everything

This sweet and sour sauce is also a favorite for dipping our homemade chicken nuggets. Or store-bought nuggets for that matter! If no one is looking I might sneak in a few pinches of red pepper flake to counter the sweetness just a bit. The sauce is also good drizzled over grilled or roasted shrimp.

If you aren’t a fan of cornstarch as a thickener, just substitute tapioca powder.

Sweet and Sour Meatball Sliders
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5 from 1 vote

Sweet and Sour Sauce

If you aren't a fan of cornstarch as a thickener, just substitute tapioca powder.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword sauce, sour, sweet
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 cups
Calories 293kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place corn starch and 2 ounces of water into a small bowl and whisk until combined completely.
  • Place remaining ingredients (don’t forget to add the remaining 6 ounces of water) into a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Whisk to combine.
  • Bring sauce to a slow boil and let boil for 1 minute.
  • Reduce heat to a simmer and slowly whisk in the corn starch mixture. Be careful because the mixture will tend to rise (and almost double in volume), so don’t add the corn starch too quickly.
  • Continue whisking, cooking 5 minutes, until thickened.

Notes

Stir before suing. Store leftover sauce in the fridge until ready to use.

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 287mg | Potassium: 210mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 62g | Vitamin A: 156IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Copycat Heinz Ketchup

Well, by-golly, this copycat of Heinz ketchup is darned good ketchup! Whether you’re trying to replace the store-bought version or just looking for a nice base recipe to start with for making your own special ketchup, this is it. I highly recommend at least doubling this recipe. It’s good stuff. Mighty good stuff.

Copycat Heinz Ketchup

Start With A Little Celery Seed

I found the honey to really add a very nice sweetness, almost floral hint to the ketchup. I really liked that. And the celery seed also added a really nice twist. I love celery seed, I use it in a lot of sauces but mostly in meat rubs. A few people have commented that it changes to the taste too much. Start with a little and see how you like the flavor before adding the full 1/4 teaspoon.

I also made a french fry dipping sauce the other day that is rather nice if I say so myself. Check it out! And nothing, absolutely nothing, is better than a copycat of the classic McDonald’s hamburger topped with homemade Heinz ketchup!

Copycat Heinz Ketchup
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3.67 from 3 votes

Copycat Heinz Ketchup

Well, by-golly, this copycat of Heinz ketchup is darned good ketchup!
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword copycat, ketchup
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Calories 279kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a saucepan over medium heat.
  • Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Cover partially and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove from heat and let cool completely before refrigerating.
  • Ketchup gets even better the next day.

Notes

Stir or shake before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 279kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1223mg | Potassium: 16mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 72g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

French Fry Dipping Sauce

My wife’s a ketchup-on-her-fries kind of gal. And I usually am too, except I am always looking for something a little different. This super simple French fry dipping sauce uses ingredients I always have on hand. Although it tastes a bit like ketchup, it brings a nice little creamy spicy flavor. Perfect for dipping.

French Fry Dipping Sauce

Better Than Ketchup. Really.

If you don’t have (or like! *gasp*) Sriracha on hand, your favorite hot sauce will work just fine instead. You can also use this French fry dipping sauce on much more than ‘just’ fries. It’s great for dipping homemade onion rings (try my onion strips too!). And homemade chicken nuggets.

I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

This recipe is based on a recipe from Ree Drummond.

French Fry Dipping Sauce
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4 from 1 vote

French Fry Dipping Sauce

This super simple French fry dipping sauce uses ingredients I always have on hand. Although it tastes a bit like ketchup, it brings a nice little creamy spicy flavor. Perfect for dipping.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword dipping sauce, fries
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 1 cup
Calories 896kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Whisk all ingredients together.
  • Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors get all happy.

Notes

Always stir again before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 896kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 84g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 1800mg | Potassium: 400mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 688IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Cajun Seasoning

There are as many variations on Cajun seasoning as there are stars in the evening sky. Ok, well, it just seems that way. This is my go-to version. I use it on everything Cajun-ish or just anything for that matter. I like my seasoning a bit on the hot side. If you like a little more mellow flavor, cut the amount of cayenne pepper in half.

Grilled Cajun Ribeye

Most store-bought Cajun seasonings contain way too much sodium. Making your own at home lets you adjust the salt without sacrificing flavor.

Make sure you give your container of seasoning a good shake before using. Especially if it has been sitting for a bit. Ingredients settle. You want to make sure that you get a bit of everything in every tablespoon!

Here are some of my favorite recipes that use Cajun seasoning, besides the crazy-good grilled Cajun ribeye you see above:
Cajun Filet-o-Fish sandwiches
Cajun Grilled Baby Vegetables
Cedar Planked Cajun Mashed Potatoes

Also try my homemade blackening seasoning.

Grilled Cajun Ribeye
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5 from 1 vote

Cajun Seasoning

I like my seasoning a bit on the hot side
Course Seasoning
Cuisine Cajun
Keyword Cajun, seasoning
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings 8 ounces
Calories 13kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients.

Notes

Keep in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 13kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.05g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 221IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Copycat Longhorn Steakhouse Prairie Dust Mix

This is a copycat of the Prairie Dust spice mix the Longhorn Steakhouse uses in many of its dishes. It has a nice complex flavor with a little heat, and is perfect on steak, chicken, eggs, seafood, veggies, and baked potatoes. It’s a great seasoning to keep on hand. Just make a good-sized batch and keep it in an air-tight container. Oh, and don’t hesitate to sprinkle it on burgers just before you grill them! Like I said, it’s great on everything!

Copycat Longhorn Steakhouse Wild West Shrimp

The recipe for copycat Longhorn Steakhouse Prairie Dust mix makes just a few tablespoons of mix. I usually make a much bigger batch and keep it in the pantry in an air-tight container. I write the date on the container (using a marker and blue painter’s tape) so I know when I made it. Spice mixes can usually last at least 6 months. Not that it’ll actually last that long…

I made a fantastic copycat version of Longhorn Steakhouse’s Wild West Shrimp with this mix. The shrimp had a wonderful flavor. They sure didn’t last long.

Copycat Longhorn Steakhouse Wild West Shrimp
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1 from 3 votes

Copycat Longhorn Steakhouse Prairie Dust Mix

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients.
  • Store in an air-tight container until ready to use.

Notes

Stir well before using.

Nutritional values are approximate.

Pizza Sauce

Sometimes I get home from work and just want to make a quick pizza. No handmade dough. No unusual toppings. Just a heat-and-eat store-bought crust, topped with a fantastic homemade sauce and a few easy ingredients. Such as Italian sausage, mushrooms, olives, and cheese. And it comes out great, thanks mostly to the sauce. If you don’t have a great sauce, the rest of the pizza won’t be any good. No matter how great the toppings are.

Pizza Sauce

The Perfect Sauce To Keep On Hand

I double this pizza sauce recipe and freeze it. I separate it into batches. That makes it easy to defrost in the fridge in time to make a 15 minute dinner.

In a hurry? Make my pantry pizza sauce in no time at all!

Pizza Sauce
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5 from 1 vote

Pizza Sauce

If you don’t have a great sauce, the rest of the pizza won’t be any good. No matter how great the toppings are.
Course Sauce
Cuisine Italian
Keyword pizza, sauce
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Calories 114kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the butter and melt.
  • Add the onion and celery and saute until starting to soften.
  • Add the garlic and saute another minute.
  • Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  • Pour mixture into a blender.
  • Cover with a towel and hold down on the lid and puree the mixture until smooth.
  • Pour mixture back into the pot over medium heat.
  • Stir in the tomato sauce and paste.
  • Add remaining ingredients, stir.
  • Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer and let simmer 20-30 minutes.
  • If the sauce is too thick (keeping in mind that you do want a thick sauce) add water a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the desired thickness.
  • Remove bay leaf before using.

Notes

Refrigerate sauce for up to 3 days before using. The sauce can be frozen for longer-term storage.

Nutrition

Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 807mg | Potassium: 160mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 339IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 123mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.