No matter what you’re eating, one thing that can take your meal from good to great is the proper sauce. Unfortunately, you can pour any sauce over any food and expect it to taste good.
Different sauces require different ingredients and preparation techniques, so it can be tricky to know which ones and how to use them.
This list of different types of sauces will help you master the art of using them, so your food always tastes its best!
1. Barbecue Sauce
Barbecue sauce is a great way to add flavor to your food. There are many different types of sauce, each with its unique taste.
Try different types of barbecue sauce on other foods to see what you like best. You can use barbecue sauce on chicken, ribs, pork, or beef. Just be sure to cook the meat thoroughly before adding the sauce.
Barbecue sauce is typical among the different types of sauce used on grilled or smoked meats. It is also a famous dipping sauce.
The most common ingredients in barbecue sauce include ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder.
There are many variations of barbecue sauce, but the most common are Kansas City style, Memphis style, North Carolina style, South Carolina style, and Texas style.
2. Cocktail Sauce
Cocktail sauce is a famous sauce made with ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice. It’sIt’s perfect for seafood dishes like shrimp cocktails or crab cakes. You can also serve it as an accompaniment to roast beef or cold cuts such as ham.
3. Soy Sauce
Soy sauce has been used in Asian cooking for centuries and is derived from fermented soybeans, wheat, water, salt, and usually a mold starter.
The rich flavor of soy sauce complements the spicy heat of chili peppers in Asian dishes such as curries and stir-fries.
4. Horseradish Sauce
Horseradish sauce is a condiment that is often used as a spread on sandwiches or as a dip. It is made from horseradish, vinegar, cream, and spices.
This sauce can be either mild or spicy, depending on your preference. Horseradish sauce is a great way to flavor your food without overpowering the other flavors.
You can also use it in place of mayonnaise for sandwiches or burgers. One thing to note about this sauce is that it has no preservatives.
So it will only last for up to two weeks before going bad. To keep this fresh sauce longer, you should keep it refrigerated and tightly sealed in an airtight container.
5. Hot Sauce
Sriracha, Frank’sFrank’s RedHot, Cholula, Tapatio, Texas Pete, Crystal, and Louisiana Hot Sauce are all different types of hot sauce.
Sriracha is a type of chili sauce that originated in Thailand. It is made from chili peppers, garlic, sugar, vinegar, and salt.
Frank’sFrank’s Red Hot is a cayenne pepper sauce that was created in Louisiana. It is made from cayenne peppers, vinegar, water, salt, and garlic powder.
Cholula is another type of chili sauce that originated in Mexico. It is made from chili peppers, vinegar, water, salt, and spices.
Tapatio is a Mexican hot sauce made from chili peppers, vinegar, water, and salt. Texas Pete is an American-style spicy tomato-based hot sauce used as an ingredient in many dishes. Crystal (a Tabasco Brand) has been around since 1868.
They use fermented red peppers aged for three years before they are ground into a rich flavorful blend with just the right amount of heat.
Louisiana Hot Sauce comes in four flavors: mild, medium, wild (made with ghost chilies), and extra hot (made with scorpion chilies).
Sriracha is usually used as a dipping sauce or topping on foods like pizza or pasta, but it can also be mixed with mayonnaise to make spicy mayo.
6. Taco Sauce
Taco sauce is also one of the different sauce types used on tacos. It is made from tomatoes, onions, garlic, and chili peppers.
It is typically red or orange and has a slightly spicy flavor. Taco sauce can be used as a condiment, dipping, or cooking sauce. It should be placed on the taco before adding other ingredients when using it as a condiment.
When using it as a dipping sauce, put the food into the taco before adding other ingredients for an enhanced taste. As for cooking with it, you can use it to season dishes like Mexican-style stews or soups.
For example: To make your stew, all you need are these essential ingredients: beef stock cubes, beef bouillon powder (or beef bullion), onion soup mix packet (such as Lipton), tomato paste, water, cumin seeds (ground), salt and pepper (to taste). Combine all of these in a pot and bring to a boil over medium heat.
7. Tartar Sauce
Tartar sauce is a creamy, mayonnaise-based sauce usually used as a dip for fried foods. It’sIt’s also common in seafood dishes, like fish and chips.
The key ingredients in tartar sauce are mayonnaise, diced pickles or relish, diced onions, and lemon juice.
You can also find variations of tartar sauce that include capers, herbs, or spices. When it comes to using tartar sauce, the sky’s the limit.
Get creative and use it as a dip for your favorite fried foods or a topping on your next seafood dish.
8. Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is versatile and can be used in many different dishes. It is made from soybeans, wheat, and salt and has a salty, umami flavor.
Soy sauce can be used as a marinade, dipping sauce, or stir-fry sauce. It pairs well with meats, vegetables, and rice.
Among the different types of sauces include teriyaki sauce (made from soy sauce, sake, and mirin), hoisin sauce (made from soybean paste, garlic, and vinegar), sweet and sour sauce (usually made with ketchup or tomato paste), oyster sauce (made from oysters and shiitake mushrooms), soy sauce stands out, etc. This is because it is from fermented soybeans.
Soy sauce has been used in Asian cooking for centuries and is derived from fermented soybeans, wheat, water, salt, and usually a mold starter.
The rich flavor of soy sauce complements the spicy heat of chili peppers in Asian dishes such as curries and stir-fries.
9. Tomato sauce
Tomato sauce is versatile and can be used in many different dishes. There are many different types of tomato sauce, each with its unique flavor.
Some common types of tomato sauce include marinara, arrabbiata, puttanesca, and fra diavolo. Each type of sauce can be used in different dishes, so it’s essential to know what each one tastes like before you choose a recipe.
For example, Marinara is suitable for Italian-style recipes because it usually contains garlic, onion, and basil; but if you’re looking for something spicier, use Puttanesca or Fra Diavolo instead.
Arrabbiata is excellent for adding spice to meatballs. And when making chili, using canned diced tomatoes will help create the right consistency without adding as much water as fresh tomatoes require.
Conclusion
A good sauce can make or break a dish. The right sauce can elevate a simple meal to something special or turn an already delicious dish into an over-the-top culinary experience. With so many different types of sauces, it can be hard to know which one to choose.
