Homemade Condiments That Are Better Than Store Bought

If you’re tired of the same old store-bought condiments, it’s time to bring some homemade magic to your kitchen. Making your own sauces, dips, and dressings can completely change the flavor of your meals – and it’s easier than you think. From creamy mayonnaise to tangy variations on ranch dressing, these homemade condiments are fresher, tastier, and way more customizable than anything you’ll find on the shelf.

Spicy Ketchup

A jar of red sauce. — Image Credit: Savory Experiments

Sauces and condiments can totally change a dish by taking it up a notch and this spicy ketchup is next-level good! Give the classic condiment a spicy kick!

Get the recipe: Spicy Ketchup

Homemade Ranch Dressing

Dip in a bowl beside french fries. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Ditch the bottled stuff—homemade ranch is where it’s at. This thick, creamy dressing comes together fast with fresh herbs and just the right amount of tang. Perfect for salads, dipping veggies, or drizzling over anything that needs a little extra something.

Get the recipe: Homemade Ranch Dressing

Jalapeño Ranch Dressing

Creamy salad dressing in a jar. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Jalapeño ranch brings the heat and the creaminess in one smooth, flavorful bite. Fresh herbs, tangy buttermilk, and pickled jalapeños blend together for a zesty kick. Try it with crispy chicken, tacos, or anything that could use a bold, creamy upgrade.

Get the recipe: Jalapeño Ranch Dressing

How to Make Hollandaise Sauce

A light orange sauce on a spoon on top of a bowl. — Image Credit: Maple + Mango

Make rich, creamy hollandaise sauce in just 5 minutes using two simple methods! It’s the perfect finishing touch for eggs Benedict, roasted asparagus, salmon, and more.

Get the recipe: How to Make Hollandaise Sauce

Gyoza Dipping Sauce

A dark brown sauce in a bowl, topped with sesame seeds, surrounded by golden brown dumplings. — Image Credit: The Forked Spoon

This simple gyoza sauce comes together in just five minutes with only three ingredients! It’s salty, tangy, and can be made spicy if you like.

Get the recipe: Gyoza Dipping Sauce

Avocado Cilantro Dressing

A jar of creamy green dressing. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

This smooth, creamy dressing is packed with fresh cilantro flavor and made with just a few simple ingredients. Avocado and Greek yogurt give it a rich texture, while fresh lime juice adds a tangy pop. Drizzle it over salads, spoon it onto tacos, or use it as a dip!

Get the recipe: Avocado Cilantro Dressing

Homemade Ketchup

This homemade ketchup is rich, flavorful, and way better than anything from the store. It’s easy to make and goes perfectly with fries, burgers, hot dogs, and grilled cheese.

Get the recipe: Homemade Ketchup

Sundried Tomato Vinaigrette

An orange sauce on a spoon on top of a jar. — Image Credit: Living Chirpy

Sun-dried tomato vinaigrette is a fresh, homemade alternative to bottled dressings, packed with bold, tangy flavor. It’s quick to mix up and works with all kinds of salads.

Get the recipe: Sundried Tomato Vinaigrette

Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce

Creamy sauce in a jar. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

This creamy, zesty sauce gets its smooth texture from tahini and Greek yogurt, with fresh lemon juice adding a bright, tangy kick. A sprinkle of thyme and rosemary gives it a savory depth, making it great for dipping, spreading, or drizzling over grain bowls and salads.

Get the recipe: Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce

Horseradish Mustard Sauce

A bowl of beige sauce with sliced green onions on top. — Image Credit: CC's Table

This horseradish mustard sauce brings bold flavor to roasted meats with minimal effort. Made with prepared horseradish, sour cream, chives, Dijon mustard, and simple seasoning, it’s tangy, creamy, and ready in minutes.

Get the recipe: Horseradish Mustard Sauce

Cottage Cheese Ranch Dressing

A white sauce on a spoon. — Image Credit: Haute & Healthy Living

This cottage cheese ranch dressing is light, creamy, and packed with fresh, herby goodness. With just a few simple ingredients like cottage cheese, mayo, and dried spices, it delivers that classic ranch taste without the heaviness.

Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Ranch Dressing

Honey Sriracha Sauce

Orange sauce in a bowl beside chicken fingers and fries. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

This homemade Sriracha-style hot honey sauce is sweet, spicy, and ridiculously easy to make. A handful of ingredients come together for a bold drizzle that works on everything—roasted Brussels sprouts, grilled shrimp, or even crispy fries.

Get the recipe: Honey Sriracha Sauce

Vegan Garlic Aioli

A bowl of beige sauce. — Image Credit: The Veggie Yaya

Vegan aioli solves the creamy condiment challenge for sauce lovers. This garlic sauce works perfectly as a dip, spread, or drizzle for countless recipes.

Get the recipe: Vegan Garlic Aioli

Chipotle Ranch Dressing

A light orange sauce sliding off of a spoon into a jar. — Image Credit: The Forked Spoon

Chipotle ranch is smoky, creamy, and just the right amount of spicy. In just 10 minutes you’ve got a thick, flavorful dip or dressing for tacos, salads, or anything that needs a little extra kick.

Get the recipe: Chipotle Ranch Dressing

Homemade Tartar Sauce

A jar of white sauce with dill in it. — Image Credit: From Valerie's Kitchen

This homemade tartar sauce is fresh, tangy, and packed with bright flavors from lemon and dill. It’s creamy, takes just five minutes to make, and pairs perfectly with seafood

Get the recipe: Homemade Tartar Sauce

Tzatziki Sauce

White dip in a bowl beside fries topped with cucumber, tomatoes, and feta cheese. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Tzatziki sauce is a tangy and refreshing yogurt dip made with cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. It’s easy to make in just 10-15 minutes and can be used in many ways, like with gyros, Greek burgers, or on the side of loaded fries.

Get the recipe: Tzatziki Sauce

Cilantro Garlic Sauce

A minty green sauce topped with cilantro. — Image Credit: A Latin Flair

This spicy cilantro garlic sauce is anything but ordinary. It’s creamy, vibrant, and loaded with zesty lime, fresh herbs, and a fiery kick from jalapeños and garlic. Plus, it takes only 5 minutes to make.

Get the recipe: Cilantro Garlic Sauce

Chili's Honey Mustard Sauce

A bowl of light orange sauce. — Image Credit: My Sauce Recipes

Craving honey mustard? Try this chili's copycat recipe with earthy Dijon mustard, sweet honey, and rich mayonnaise.

Get the recipe: Chili's Honey Mustard Sauce

Gochujang Aioli

Orange dip in a bowl and jar beside a spoon with dip on it. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Gochujang aioli is creamy, garlicky, and just spicy enough to amp up anything you pair it with. It’s perfect as a sandwich spread, burger sauce, or as a dip for crispy fries or breaded cauliflower bites.

Get the recipe: Gochujang Aioli

Ranchero Sauce

A bowl of dark orange sauce. — Image Credit: My Sauce Recipes

This Tex-Mex-inspired sauce is made with simple everyday ingredients. You'll love this smokey tomato-based sauce on eggs, in tacos, on roasted potatoes, or as a flavorful addition to casseroles.

Get the recipe: Ranchero Sauce

Honey Dill Sauce

A bowl of dip with dill beside French fries. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Honey dill sauce is perfect with French fries, chicken fingers, and pretty much anything you want to dunk! With only three ingredients, it’s a snap to make in just five minutes.

Get the recipe: Honey Dill Sauce

Vegan Lemon Aioli

Dip in a bowl. — Image Credit: The Veggie Yaya

This vegan lemon aioli is a creamy, tangy sauce that's perfect for dipping or spreading. Made without eggs, it's a delicious and versatile condiment for any plant-based meal.

Get the recipe: Vegan Lemon Aioli

Basil Buttermilk Dressing

A jar of minty green sauce. — Image Credit: From Valerie's Kitchen

This basil buttermilk dressing brings a burst of fresh flavor thanks to fresh basil. It’s an easy-to-make dressing that works wonders on salads, and making it at home gives it a flavor boost that store-bought dressings just can’t match.

Get the recipe: Basil Buttermilk Dressing

Spicy Chimichurri

A bowl of green herby dip. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Spicy chimichurri sauce adds a zesty, garlicky punch to whatever it touches. Whether you’re using it on grilled meats, as a marinade, or just dipping your bread in it, this sauce will give everything a kick.

Get the recipe: Spicy Chimichurri

Red Chimichurri Sauce

A red sauce in a bowl on a plate beside sliced steak and tomatoes. — Image Credit: A Latin Flair

Red chimichurri sauce (Chimichurri Rojo) is a rich, smoky, and vibrant blend of roasted red peppers, herbs, and spices. Made with ingredients like Spanish smoked paprika and red wine vinegar, it’s perfect as a marinade, dip, or topping for grilled meats.

Get the recipe: Red Chimichurri Sauce

Thousand Island Dressing

A jar of light orange sauce. — Image Credit: My Sauce Recipes

The classic Thousand Island dressing is a creamy dressing that brings a sweet and tangy kick to any dish. Whether on salads, sandwiches, or as a dipping sauce, this homemade version is quick to make and can easily be adjusted to fit your taste.

Get the recipe: Thousand Island Dressing