10 Sauces That Make Everything Taste Better
Some sauces are so good that they’ll turn plain noodles into something you actually crave. Others can rescue dry chicken, wake up boring veggies, and make you forget ketchup ever existed. These are the sauces we actually use, the ones that make everything taste better, from sandwiches and fries to rice bowls.
1. Mayo
The flavor: Creamy and tangy, a blank canvas for even more flavor.
What it’s good on: Burgers, sushi bowls, fried chicken sandwiches, sweet potato fries.
Make it: Mix an egg, oil, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper.
We use our Forking Flavorful Truffle Mayo on just about everything. For a simpler version, check out the Quick Sriracha Mayo on Piper Cooks. The ingredients are store-bought mayo, Sriracha, and sesame oil. Want a vegan option? Plant-based versions of garlic aioli and lemon aioli from The Veggie Yaya hit the same flavor notes with no egg or dairy.
Pro tip: Use Kewpie mayo for an umami boost or go vegan with your favorite egg-free mayo.
2. Pesto
The flavor: Fresh, herby, garlicky, and rich with olive oil and parmesan.
What it’s good on: Pasta, sandwiches, grilled vegetables, sheet pan dinners, pizza, eggs.
Make it: Blend fresh basil, garlic, parmesan, pine nuts (or pepitas or walnuts), and olive oil. Add lemon juice for brightness.
We like to use Pesto with Pumpkin Seeds on sandwiches and pasta. Piper Cooks has a vegan Oregano Pesto that’s just as bold.
Pro tip: Try stirring a spoonful of pesto into scrambled eggs or using it as a pizza base instead of red sauce.
3. Chimichurri
The flavor: Bright, herby, garlicky, and slightly acidic.
What it’s good on: Grilled steak, roasted vegetables, sandwiches, grain bowls.
Make it: Blend or mix parsley, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and red pepper flakes.
Keep a jar of chimichurri in the fridge for steak and potato nights. Pipercooks has a Spicy Chimichurri Sauce that’s perfect for meal prep bowls, smashed potatoes, a dip for air fryer paneer, and tacos.
Pro tip: Let it sit for 30 minutes before using so the flavors settle in.
4. Honey Mustard
The flavor: Sweet, tangy, sharp from the mustard but balanced with honey.
What it’s good on: Chicken tenders, wraps, roasted veg, sliders, soft pretzels.
Make it: Mix Dijon mustard with honey and mayo.
We use our own easy Honey Mustard Sauce for dipping and drizzling.
Pro tip: Make a double batch and keep it in the fridge for the week!
5. Gochujang Aioli
The flavor: Fermented, spicy, slightly sweet, and full of umami.
What it’s good on: Korean bowls, grilled chicken, loaded fries, roasted tofu.
Make it: Mix gochujang with homemade aioli. I use a soy-free gochujang similar to this product from my local grocery store, due to an allergy.
Pipercooks’ Gochujang Sauce gives depth to basic bowls and sandwiches. Try a gochujang grilled cheese!
Pro tip: Start with a small amount, gochujang is concentrated.
6. Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing
The flavor: Herby, garlicky, lemony, and creamy.
What it’s good on: Taco salad, grain bowls, sandwiches, chicken kale salad, veggie platters.
Make it: Blend avocado, cilantro, Greek yogurt, and lime juice.
Creamy Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing makes salads craveable.
Pro tip: Not a cilantro fan? Try Italian parsley and basil instead!
7. Buffalo Sauce
The flavor: Tangy, buttery, vinegary heat.
What it’s good on: Shrimp, tacos, buffalo chicken fries, cauliflower bites, buffalo chickpea quesadillas, burgers, pizza.
Make it: Melt butter with hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot), add vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and a touch of maple syrup for balance.
Check out My Plant-Based Bowls Vegan Buffalo Sauce that hits that fast food flavor. Sub in butter with dairy instead of plant-based butter as needed.
Pro tip: Stir in a spoon of mayo or cream cheese for a thicker, creamier buffalo dip.
8. Honey Dill Sauce
The flavor: Creamy, sweet, and tangy with a strong hit of fresh dill.
What it’s good on: Chicken fingers, burgers, wraps, fries, onion rings.
Make it: Mix mayo with honey and dried or fresh dill. Add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to cut the richness.
This one’s a Manitoba classic. Try the Honey Dill Sauce from Pipercooks if you haven’t yet; it’s super simple.
Pro tip: Keep a jar in the fridge and use it as a dip, spread, or dressing.
9. Lemon Herb Tahini
The flavor: Nutty, creamy, lemony, with garlicky depth and fresh herbs.
What it’s good on: Falafel, grain bowls, roasted veg, wraps, grilled chicken.
Make it: Whisk tahini with lemon juice, garlic, salt, water, and chopped herbs.
We drizzle Pipercooks Lemon Herb Tahini on everything.
Pro tip: Add cumin or smoked paprika for warmth, or maple syrup for balance.
10. Homemade Cheese Sauce
The flavor: Rich, cheesy, and ultra creamy.
What it’s good on: Nachos, mac and cheese, burgers, baked potatoes, pretzels.
Make it: Start with a roux (butter + flour), add milk, then stir in shredded cheese.
This Beer Cheese Sauce from Pipercooks uses sharp cheddar and a little cayenne. Piper Cooks has a Quick Stovetop Mac and Cheese that doubles as a cheese sauce base.
Pro tip: Use Monterey Jack for extra melt, or pepper jack for a kick.
11. Tzatziki Sauce
The flavor: A creamy Greek sauce with a tang from yogurt and lemon, with a punch of garlic.
What it’s good on: Everything from burgers to cucumbers, Greek fries, pita chips, and spanakopita.
Make it: Combine thick Greek yogurt with grated, drained cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, fresh garlic, salt, and pepper.
The classic Greek Tzatziki sauce recipe from Piper Cooks omits the dill, but you can add it in if you like. Try plant-based Tzatziki sauce from The Veggie Yaya.
Pro tip: Grate the cucumber and squeeze out excess liquid in a clean towel so the tzatziki stays thick and creamy.
12. Vegan Dill Dip
The flavor: Cool, herby, and fresh with a bright dill punch.
What it’s good on: Pita chips, roasted potatoes, veggie sticks, spanakopita, grain bowls.
Make it: Blend plant-based yogurt or sour cream with fresh dill and chives, vegan mayo, lemon juice, garlic, and a pinch of salt. Add a splash of plant-based milk if you want it thinner for drizzling.
This vegan dill dip from The Veggie Yaya is a quick, flavor-packed way to turn everyday snacks and meals into something fresh and irresistible.
Pro tip: Use fresh dill for the best flavor, but dried dill works too!
