Don’t Forget the Sauce
Sauce is king when it comes to flavor, especially with so many innovative new dips, dressings, and marinades to try. Food has never tasted better than it does these days, and with that in mind, these are the 20 most popular sauces in America. Have you tried them all?
1. Ketchup
Ketchup may come across as basic, but its sheer versatility makes it the perfect pairing for so many iconic American classics. From sitting atop burgers to being the perfect sidekick to fries, this tomato-based sauce even works on eggs, showing just how beloved it truly is.
2. Mayonnaise
Some people dismiss mayo as being too plain, but this European-originating sauce quickly rose to popularity and solidified its place on salads, sandwiches, and burgers as well. It’s also the base for other sauces, like aioli and ranch.
3. Barbecue Sauce
When you think of Texas Barbecue or even some wings, you know you need this sauce on hand. Equal parts smoky and tangy, this sauce is a defining part of barbecue culture that rules Kansas, Carolina, and more.
4. Ranch
If you prefer lighter sauces, then ranch is best known for its place on salads. But it also works great on wings, pizza, and even as a pairing for vegetables. Its cool herby taste is a perfect contrast to many of the other indulgent sauces that exist.
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5. Frank's Hot Sauce
Everyone loves hot sauce, but Frank’s RedHot has a special place in the hearts of Americans. Originally created in Louisiana, you might find some parallels between this sauce and Buffalo, and after all, it too works best smothered on wings.
6. Yellow Mustard
You don’t have to be eating a hot dog to appreciate the tangy sharpness of yellow mustard. In fact, yellow mustard is a milder adaptation of European mustard, and now you can find it on everything from your deli sandwiches to your game day dogs.
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7. Soy Sauce
Soy sauce may have Chinese origins, but this is a sauce that has practically been adopted by the American people. With a thousand-year culture behind it, this salty and umami drizzle is ideal for sushi, stir-fries, pastas, and more.
8. Buffalo
To the surprise of no one, buffalo sauce was created in Buffalo in the 60s. It’s known for its intense buttery and tangy flavor and has also become synonymous with game-day culture.
9. Tabasco
Another equally impressive hot sauce is Tabasco, which you can easily find on the tables of most conventional brunch places. Also created in Louisiana, this hot sauce even has a place in certain beverages, like Bloody Marys.
10. Honey Mustard
If yellow mustard is a bit too sharp for you, then honey mustard brings in the mildness and adds a sweet undertone that’s perfect for some. The sauce is in fact made by combining mustard with honey and works on sandwiches, salads, and even as a dip. Lots of fast food places also sell the sauce alongside their fries and nuggets.
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11. Salsa
Whether salsa is a sauce or not is unclear, but the American people love it nonetheless. Synonymous with Mexican culture, salsa is the perfect healthy pairing for tortilla chips, tacos, and even works on salads or with rice.
12. Sriracha
Sriracha is best known for its garlicky and spicy flavor, and there isn’t another hot sauce quite like it. The sauce actually has Thai origins but gained popularity in California before cementing itself as a cultural icon.
13. Tartar Sauce
Most people think of fish and chips when they think of tartar sauce, after all, it really feels like a match made in heaven. With French origins, this tangy and briny dip has been improved with more mayo and more relish to really ground its flavors.
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14. Spicy Mayo
Spicy mayo may feel like a recent innovation, at one point it used to exist only in sushi restaurants, but now it’s everywhere. Making it is actually pretty easy, as it’s usually made up of mixing mayo with sriracha.
15. Gravy
Brown gravy in particular has quite the place in American culture. From being an essential on Thanksgiving to pairing with mashed potatoes, this is ideal southern comfort food. Of course, you can also have white sausage gravy with some biscuits.
16. Pesto
With Italian origins, this sauce is made by mixing olive oil with basil, pine nuts, and parmesan. As a result, you get a drizzle that’s both herbaceous, nutty, and garlicky. It’s a popular pairing for pastas, but also works great on pizzas.
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17. Tzatziki
Tzatziki has origins from Greece and the Middle East, and gained popularity as certain cuisine food chains began opening up. It’s the ideal pair for shawarmas, kebabs, gyros, and more, and packs quite the cool and tangy flavor profile.
18. Hoisin
This Chinese staple offers up a salty, smoky, and sweet taste that works wonderfully on so many different dishes. Sure, you can add it to the usual stir-fries, but you can also try it as a hot dog glaze, a burger sauce, or even drizzled on tacos.
19. Alfredo
Alfredo is an Italian-American sauce full of heavy notes of creaminess, cheesiness, and butter. It’s best known for belonging on fettuccine alfredo, but plenty of people have worked it into other dishes like pizza or steak drizzle.
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20. Garlic Aioli
Finally, if you’re a big fan of garlicky notes and enjoy tangy flavor profiles, this aioli has Mediterranean roots and can be found in most upscale burger joints. Of course, you can make your own to take your sandwich and grilled meats game to the next level.
