Cook, Learn, and Share to Fight Hunger.
 
Food & Ingredients

Cooking Sauces

We often think of cooking sauces as the final touch, the elegant drizzle over a finished dish. However, a whole world of culinary magic exists in cooking sauces – those complex concoctions added during the cooking process itself. These aren't just condiments; they're flavor architects, textural enhancers, and cultural ambassadors.

Tom the Chef Tom the Chef Founder
Published:
July 10, 2024

Introduction to Cooking Sauces

Cooking sauces range from the soy sauce to the herbaceous pesto, from tangy barbecue sauce to the fiery hot sauce. Each is a carefully crafted blend of ingredients, each with its unique history and flavor profile. They might be simple reductions, complex emulsions, or fermented delights. But regardless of their form, they all share a common purpose: to elevate dishes beyond the ordinary.

The Most Popular Cooking Sauces

Ketchup

  • Sweet and tangy tomato-based sauce.
  • Popular condiment for burgers, hot dogs, fries, and more.
  • Can be used as a base for barbecue sauce or other dipping sauces.
  • Available in various flavors like spicy, smoky, and organic.
  • Read more here.

 

Mustard

  • Pungent and tangy condiment made from mustard seeds.
  • Comes in various types like yellow, Dijon, whole grain, and honey mustard.
  • Used on sandwiches, hot dogs, pretzels, and as an ingredient in salad dressings and marinades.
  • Adds a kick of flavor to dishes.
  • Read more here.

 

Mayonnaise

  • Creamy and rich emulsion of oil, egg yolks, lemon juice or vinegar, and seasonings.
  • Used as a condiment for sandwiches, salads, and as a base for various sauces and dips.
  • Can be flavored with herbs, spices, or other ingredients.
  • Adds a smooth and luscious texture to dishes.
  • Read more here.

 

BBQ Sauce

  • Tangy, sweet, and smoky sauce often used for grilling and barbecuing.
  • Typically made with tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, spices, and sometimes molasses or mustard.
  • Comes in various styles like Kansas City, Texas, Carolina, and Memphis.
  • Enhances the flavor of grilled meats and can be used as a dipping sauce.
  • Read more here.

 

Marinara Sauce

  • Simple Italian tomato sauce seasoned with garlic, onions, and herbs.
  • Versatile base for pasta dishes, pizzas, and other Italian recipes.
  • Can be made with fresh or canned tomatoes.
  • Adds a bright and flavorful tomato taste to dishes.
  • Read more here.

 

Pesto

  • Vibrant green sauce made from basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.
  • Originating from Genoa, Italy.
  • Commonly tossed with pasta, spread on sandwiches, or used as a pizza topping.
  • Provides a fresh, herbaceous flavor with a hint of nuttiness.
  • Read more here.

 

Sweet Chili Sauce

  • Sweet and spicy Thai sauce made from chili peppers, garlic, sugar, vinegar, and fish sauce.
  • Popular dipping sauce for spring rolls, dumplings, and other Asian snacks.
  • Can be used as a glaze for grilled meats or vegetables.
  • Adds a balance of sweet and heat to dishes.
  • Read more here.

 

Hot Sauce

  • Variety of sauces made from chili peppers and other ingredients.
  • Ranges in heat levels from mild to extremely hot.
  • Popular brands include Tabasco, Sriracha, and Cholula.
  • Adds a spicy kick to dishes and can be used as a condiment or cooking ingredient.
  • Read more here.

 

Chili Paste (Sambal Sauce)

  • Thick, spicy paste made from chili peppers, garlic, shallots, shrimp paste, and other ingredients.
  • Originating from Southeast Asia.
  • Used as a condiment or cooking ingredient in various Asian cuisines.
  • Adds a pungent, spicy flavor and depth to dishes.
  • Read more here.

 

Sriracha Sauce

  • Popular Thai hot sauce made from chili peppers, garlic, sugar, salt, and vinegar.
  • Recognizable by its rooster logo and green cap.
  • Versatile condiment used for dipping, drizzling, or mixing into dishes.
  • Adds a moderate level of heat and tangy flavor.
  • Read more here.

 

Tabasco Sauce

  • Brand of fermented hot sauce made from tabasco peppers, vinegar, and salt.
  • Originating from Avery Island, Louisiana.
  • Comes in various flavors and heat levels.
  • Adds a distinctive tangy and vinegary heat to dishes.
  • Read more here.

 

Worcestershire Sauce

  • Fermented liquid condiment made from vinegar, molasses, anchovies, tamarind, onions, garlic, and other spices.
  • Adds umami and complex savory flavor to dishes.
  • Used in Bloody Marys, Caesar salad dressing, marinades, and stews.
  • Enhances the depth of flavor in savory recipes.
  • Read more here.

 

Soy Sauce

  • Salty and savory sauce made from fermented soybeans, wheat, and salt.
  • Staple condiment in Asian cuisine.
  • Comes in various types like light, dark, and tamari.
  • Used for marinating, stir-frying, dipping, and seasoning.
  • Read more here.

 

Fish Sauce

  • Pungent and savory sauce made from fermented fish.
  • Common ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine.
  • Used in small amounts to add depth and umami to dishes.
  • Can be added to stir-fries, soups, curries, and dipping sauces.
  • Read more here.

 

Oyster Sauce

  • Thick and savory sauce made from oysters, soy sauce, and sugar.
  • Popular in Chinese cuisine.
  • Adds a rich umami flavor to stir-fries, noodles, and vegetables.
  • Can be used as a dipping sauce or glaze for meats.
  • Read more here.

 

Teriyaki Sauce

  • Japanese sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar.
  • Used as a marinade, glaze, or dipping sauce.
  • Popular for grilling meats, fish, and vegetables.
  • Adds a sweet and savory flavor with a hint of smokiness.
  • Read more here.

 

Szechuan Sauce

  • Spicy and savory sauce originating from Sichuan province in China.
  • Made with chili peppers, garlic, ginger, Sichuan peppercorns, and other spices.
  • Used in stir-fries, noodles, and as a dipping sauce.
  • Provides a complex flavor with a numbing spiciness.
  • Read more here.

 

Yakitori Sauce

  • Japanese sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar.
  • Similar to teriyaki sauce but often thicker and sweeter.
  • Used to glaze grilled chicken skewers (yakitori).
  • Adds a sweet and savory flavor with a caramelized finish.
  • Read more here.

 

Peri Peri Sauce

  • Spicy and tangy sauce originating from Portugal and popular in African cuisine.
  • Made from chili peppers, garlic, lemon juice, vinegar, and various spices.
  • Used as a marinade, basting sauce, or condiment for grilled meats and vegetables.
  • Provides a fiery and flavorful experience.
  • Read more here.

 

Culinary Uses of Cooking Sauces

Cooking sauces serve a multitude of functions in the kitchen:

  • For cold cuisine: Use sauces such as mayonnaise and ketchup to create even more cold sauces or as a base for dips or spreads.
  • Flavor Infusion: They penetrate the fibers of meat, fish, and vegetables, imbuing them with depth and complexity.
  • Marinades: As marinades, they tenderize proteins and impart a flavor foundation.
  • Glazes: Brushed on during cooking, they create sticky, caramelized surfaces that trap moisture and flavor.
  • Stir-Fry and Sauce Reductions: They form the base of flavorful stir-fries or reduce to create concentrated sauces that coat noodles or rice.

Tips for Cooking Sauces

  • Taste Before Adding: Sauces vary in saltiness and intensity. Start with a little, taste, and adjust.
  • Balance the Dish: Consider the other flavors in your dish. A sweet sauce might need a counterpoint of acidity, while a spicy sauce might benefit from a touch of sweetness.
  • Layer Flavors: Use a cooking sauce early in the process to infuse flavor, then add another sauce later for a different dimension.
  • Don’t Overpower: Let the natural flavors of your ingredients shine through. Use the sauce to enhance, not mask.

Cooking sauces are far more than mere afterthoughts. They’re culinary tools, capable of transforming simple ingredients into extraordinary dishes. They tell stories of tradition, innovation, and the sheer joy of creating delicious food.

About the Author:
Tom the ChefFounder
# 1
  • Published Recipes: 269
  • Av. Recipe Evaluation:
  • Location: Iowa, USA
  • Member since: 2023-02-02
Profile & Recipes

Disclaimer

  1. General Information Content on this page above, including the content provided on www.CookingHub.com, including all recipes, articles, and other materials, is for general informational purposes only. This content reflects the personal opinions and experiences of its authors and is not intended to provide professional dietary, medical, legal, or political advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making any decisions based on the information presented here.
  2. Content Ownership and Use Content on this page above, including content published on CookingHub.com is owned by the individual authors who created it. Only the authors can access, modify, or delete their content from the platform. Our content may be embedded on third-party websites and blogs without modification. No reimbursement will be provided for this use. If an author removes content from CookingHub.com, it will no longer be available through any embedded links.
  3. Limitation of Liability Neither www.CookingHub.com (operated by the CookingHub Foundation) nor content authors are responsible for any outcome or consequence resulting from the use of information on this site. This includes, but is not limited to:
    • Food Safety: Any health risk related to food handling, food quality, or failure to follow USDA recommendations (including minimum safe cooking temperatures).
    • Preparation Safety: The proper and safe handling of cooking equipment or its suitability for any given task.
    • Recipe Outcomes: The final look, taste, or success of following a recipe.
    • Ingredients and Equipment: The sourcing of ingredients, tools, equipment, or anything else related to the preparation and consumption of food.
    • Nutritional and Dietary Information: The accuracy of nutritional data. This information is provided as a courtesy and should not replace advice from a medical provider. You are responsible for verifying that a diet is suitable for your personal health needs.
    • Errors and Omissions: Any potential errors, typos, or unclear directions in articles and recipes.
  4. User Responsibility All readers, visitors, and users of embedded content are solely responsible for evaluating recipes and articles. You must make your own decisions about whether to follow the steps and recommendations provided. It is your responsibility to ensure that ingredients and preparation methods are safe and appropriate for your personal dietary restrictions and health conditions.