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

This sauce is also a favorite for dipping our homemade chicken nuggets. 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 stir-fried vegetables.

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.

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.

Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce

I was searching for a new tomato-based sauce that I could use on (whole or ground) Italian sausage sandwiches. It was a cold day, so I wanted something that would cook all day, making the house smell great. I like that. Eight or so hours of great smells, culminating in a fantastic sandwich topped with slow cooker marinara sauce.

Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce

This slow cooker marinara sauce is a great all-around marinara sauce. Double the recipe and keep some in the freezer. It’s great to have on hand for those nights when you need a simple meal. Great on pasta, sandwiches, pizza, you name it.

Add a bit of dried red pepper flake for a little kick, if you want.

Try my quick fix messy meatball sandwich.

Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce
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4 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce

 It was a cold day, so I wanted something that would cook all day, making the house smell great. I like that. Eight or so hours of great smells, culminating in a fantastic sandwich topped with slow cooker marinara sauce.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, Italian, sauce, slow cooker, spaghetti
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings 6 cups
Calories 21kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to your slow cooker set to low heat.
  • Stir and cook 8 hours, stirring every hour or so.
  • If the mixture gets too thick add a little water and stir.
  • Remove the bay leaves before using.

Nutrition

Calories: 21kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 61mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 18IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 30mg | 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

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 recently discovered Blue Plate mayonnaise, which I think 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.

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.

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

I double this pizza sauce recipe and freeze it. I separate it into batches, making 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.

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.

Smoked Provolone Cheese Sauce

This smoked provolone sauce adds great flavor (and texture) to any recipe you need a cheese sauce. I love it over pulled pork since it has a nice smokey flavor, but not so overbearing that you can’t taste the meat. I made a big batch and squirted it over pulled pork tater tot nachos (below) and stromboli, but you’ll also love it over grilled burgers or chicken sandwiches, or the best, Italian sausage sandwiches.

Pulled Pork Tater Tot Nachos

This sauce would also be great as a dip (maybe add some green chiles or Rotel) or over “regular” tortilla nachos, or over an omelet. Heck it’s just great. Make it!

Pulled Pork Tater Tot Nachos
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5 from 1 vote

Smoked Provolone Cheese Sauce

This smoked provolone sauce adds great flavor (and texture) to any recipe you need a cheese sauce.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword cheese, sauce, smoked
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Calories 671kcal
Author From The Slow Roasted Italian

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  • Whisk in the flour and continue whisking for 2-3 minutes until the flour is cooked.
  • While still whisking, slowly pour in the milk.
  • Add the cheese, salt and pepper.
  • Stir often until the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth.
  • Keep warm until ready to use.

Nutrition

Calories: 671kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 1678mg | Potassium: 487mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1734IU | Calcium: 1132mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Roasted Poblano Cream Sauce

This roasted poblano cream sauce is the perfect somewhat-spicy sauce for topping grilled chicken sandwiches. It’s also fantastic on burgers, pork, or used as a dip. It actually would work as a soup too. For a little extra kick, roast a jalapeno with the poblano and add it to the sauce when you blend it.

Grilled Chicken Fajita Sandwich

My first use for this roasted poblano cream sauce was over grilled chicken fajita sandwiches. It adds a wonderful southwestern flavor and creaminess to any dish that it’s used on. Feel free to use any pepper you wish if poblanos aren’t your thing. I like them since they aren’t too spicy but also have more flavor than bell peppers.

Grilled Chicken Fajita Sandwich
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4 from 1 vote

Roasted Poblano Cream Sauce

This roasted poblano cream sauce is the perfect somewhat-spicy sauce for topping grilled chicken sandwiches. It’s also fantastic on burgers, pork, or used as a dip.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword creamy, peppers, roasted, sauce
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Calories 909kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Brush the peppers with just a little bit of oil.
  • Roast the peppers in your oven under the broiler or on your grill over direct heat until charred.
  • Remove from heat and place in a bowl. Cover the bowl with foil and let the peppers rest for 10 minutes.
  • Carefully remove the foil (there might still be some steam) and remove the skin from the peppers. Remove the stem and seeds.
  • Place all ingredients into a blender. Blend until creamy smooth.
  • Pour mix into a saucepan and heat over low heat.
  • Serve warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 909kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 81g | Saturated Fat: 45g | Cholesterol: 256mg | Sodium: 1633mg | Potassium: 1236mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 4471IU | Vitamin C: 306mg | Calcium: 357mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Beer Cheese Sauce

Oh me. This beer cheese sauce has lots and lots of uses, from a dip for pretzels or chips to topping hot dogs or burgers, or even over pasta. We served it warm with warmed pretzel balls and a few Tostistos Scoops. Some Fritos would be good too. Everything disappeared in minutes! This sauce is so good you’ll be tempted to grab a straw down the whole lot in no time!

Beer Cheese Sauce

Adjust the heat to your tastes. I like this sauce nice and spicy. For a thicker beer cheese sauce, just let it cook a little longer.

Also try my other version of cheese sauce. It has a nice horseradish kick.

Beer Cheese Sauce
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5 from 1 vote

Beer Cheese Sauce

Oh me. This beer cheese sauce has lots and lots of uses, from a dip for pretzels or chips to topping hot dogs or burgers, or even over pasta.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword beer, cheese, sauce
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 3 cups
Calories 622kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle beer
  • 2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 8 ounces cream cheese diced and softened
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ½ jalapeno minced (or substitute 1/2 teaspoon or more red pepper flakes)
  • kosher salt
  • ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Add the beer to a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
  • Combine the cheese and flour in a bowl and add to the beer along with the remaining ingredients.
  • Stir until the cheese is melted completely and is of the desired thickness.
  • Serve warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 622kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 30g | Cholesterol: 162mg | Sodium: 715mg | Potassium: 221mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1795IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 624mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Herb Dipping Sauce

Although I made this herb dipping sauce as a sauce for rosemary chicken wings, it also makes a great salad dressing or a chimichurri-like sauce for grilled meats. It definitely packs a nice herby flavor. That was the point!

Rosemary Chicken Wings with Herb Dipping Sauce

The herb dipping sauce really complimented the herby flavor of the chicken wings. You instead of dipping the chicken into the sauce you could brush it directly onto the chicken. Split chicken breasts or quarters, grilled to perfection and brushed with the sauce is absolutely divine (and different)!

I could not find fresh oregano so I used dried. Fresh would definitely go with the ‘fresh’ theme of this sauce, so if you have it, use it. Just start with a little a taste to see if you need to add more.

Rosemary Chicken Wings with Herb Dipping Sauce
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4 from 1 vote

Herb Dipping Sauce

Although I made this herb dipping sauce as a sauce for rosemary chicken wings, it also makes a great salad dressing or a chimichurri-like sauce for grilled meats. It definitely packs a nice herby flavor. 
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword dipping sauce, herbs
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Calories 183kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ cup basil leaves fresh, stems removed, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 cup parsley fresh, chopped
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ cup warm water
  • ½ cup olive oil or more if using as a dressing or chimichurri sauce, if desired
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

  • Process garlic in a food processor for 20 seconds.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and process until smooth. Add more oil as desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 1507mg | Potassium: 280mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3072IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 382mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Quaker Steak and Lube Louisiana Lickers Sauce

Visit my other site, For The Wing, for all things chicken-wing!

If you’re gonna name a wing sauce ‘Louisiana Lickers’, I’m going to buy it. And so I did the last time we were in Cincinnati while shopping at Jungle Jim’s. I picked up a few bottles of Quaker Steak and Lube’s wing sauces, including one of Louisiana Lickers. I never need an excuse to fire up my Big Easy Wingin’ator 3000 for some wings, so this was a no-brainer. If you don’t have a Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Oil-less Turkey Fryer, just bake the wings or grill them. No matter how you cook them, you’ll love wings tossed in Quaker Steak and Lube Louisiana Lickers Sauce!

Quaker Steak and Lube Louisiana Lickers Sauce

I really like the Louisiana Lickers sauce. It is spicy, but definitely not overly spicy. It’s different, almost Jamaican jerkish (somewhat citrusy) in flavor to me. The Cajun flavor lingers, with just a bit of burn. It’s addicting, like all of the Quaker Steak & Lube sauces (see them all here).

I cooked these wings up my standard way. An hour or so in my marinade and then onto the Big Easy for a little over an hour. Tossed with the sauce of choice and served with quality Ranch dressing and our homemade wing dipping sauce.

I also love Quaker Steak and Lube’s Golden Garlic and Arizona Ranch wing sauces.

I absolutely love chicken wings, cooked any way, with any sauce (or without). I love them so much that I created a free eCookbook that is full of my favorite wing recipes.

Quaker Steak and Lube Louisiana Lickers Sauce
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5 from 1 vote

Quaker Steak and Lube – Louisiana Licker Sauce

I really like this sauce. It is spicy, but definitely not overly spicy. It’s different, almost Jamaican jerkish (somewhat citrusy) in flavor to me.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Cajun, caribbean, spicy, wings
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 272kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Prepare the wings by cutting off the tips and separating the flats and drumettes.
  • Divide the wing pieces into two large baggies. Add a batch of the wing marinade to each. Seal and gently shake to coat. Refrigerate for at least an hour, tossing every once-in-a-while.
  • While the wings cool, warm about 1/2 cup of the wing sauce.
  • Add the wings to a large bowl, drizzle with sauce and toss to coat. If you like more sauce, make sure you warm it a bit before adding.
  • Serve with dipping sauces.

Nutrition

Calories: 272kcal | Protein: 22g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 89mg | Potassium: 191mg | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

I was worried that for $5-$6, the sauce was over-priced, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that that isn’t the case. For the number of wings I made I used only a little sauce, without sacrificing flavor. And the sauce sticks to the wings. Not gloppy, molasses sticky, but just sticky enough to not run off and form a puddle. I liked that. A lot.

I gave the Louisiana Lickers sauce high ratings on the ‘Mater Rater.

'Mater Rater

Quaker Steak and Lube Golden Garlic Sauce

Visit my other site, For The Wing, for all things chicken-wing!

I picked up a few bottles of Quaker Steak and Lube wing sauces the last time we were at Jungle Jim’s in Cincinnati, including their Golden Garlic Sauce. I was anxious to fire up my Big Easy Wingin’ator 3000 with some wings. If you don’t have a Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Oil-less Turkey Fryer, just bake or grill the wings until done. The Quaker Steak and Lube Golden Garlic Sauce is the star of this show but don’t skimp on the wings either.

Quaker Steak and Lube Golden Garlic Sauce

I really like the Quaker Steak and Lube Golden Garlic sauce. It is definitely garlicky. You won’t bite into a wing and think to yourself “I thought this was supposed to have garlic in it.” It brings the garlic. Look at the picture above. You can see how the Golden Garlic stacks up heat-wise to the other yummy Quaker Steak & Lube sauces here.

I cooked these wings up my standard way. An hour or so in my marinade and then onto the Big Easy for another hour or so. Tossed with the sauce of choice and served with quality Ranch dressing and our homemade wing dipping sauce.

Also try Quaker Steak and Lube’s Louisiana LickersArizona Ranch and Smoked Jalapeno Honey wing sauces.

I absolutely love chicken wings, cooked any way, with any sauce (or without). I love them so much that I created a free eCookbook that is full of my favorite wing recipes.

Quaker Steak and Lube Golden Garlic Sauce
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5 from 1 vote

Quaker Steak and Lube – Golden Garlic Sauce

I really like this sauce It is definitely garlicky. You won’t bite into a wing and think to yourself “I thought this was supposed to have garlic in it.” It brings the garlic.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword garlic, wings
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 272kcal
Author Mike

Instructions

  • Prepare the wings by cutting off the tips and separating the flats and drumettes.
  • Divide the wing pieces into two large baggies. Add a batch of the wing marinade to each. Seal and gently shake to coat. Refrigerate for at least an hour, tossing every once-in-a-while.
  • While the wings cool, warm about 1/2 cup of the wing sauce.
  • Add the wings to a large bowl, drizzle with sauce and toss to coat. If you like more sauce, make sure you warm it a bit before adding.
  • Serve with dipping sauces.

Nutrition

Calories: 272kcal | Protein: 22g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 89mg | Potassium: 191mg | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

At $5-$6 (you can order online, too), the sauce was not over-priced. You don’t need a lot of sauce. And the sauce sticks to the wings. Not gloppy, molasses sticky, but just sticky enough to not run off and form a puddle. I liked that. A lot.

I gave the Golden Garlic sauce high ratings on the ‘Mater Rater. You’ll have to really love garlic to truly enjoy these. Garlic is what you’ll get and not a lot else. For me, that’s just fine.

'Mater Rater