2 Shares

Do you wish you could replicate some of the fun meals you have enjoyed at restaurants? Eating dinner at home does not have to be boring. Meals that taste great and are fun to eat need not become a long and complicated project. You also don't have to spend a lot of money to prepare foods for your family that rival restaurant quality fare. Keep reading for how to make DELICIOUS dressings and dipping sauces at home!

Let's Get Creative with Condiments

You're probably thinking that to make food like what you would get served in a restaurant requires that you run out for all kinds of complicated ingredients. This is not the case! In fact, if you get into the habit of stocking some basic ingredients, you can whip up all kinds of tasty and exciting sauces and dressings to liven up any meal.

Pantry Essentials

Here are some staples to keep on hand when you want to turn an ordinary meal into something creative and fun.

Plain yogurt, Greek is best but not necessary
Mayonnaise
Ketchup
Mustard
Pickle relish
Hot sauce
Prepared horseradish
Pickled jalapenos or other peppers
Capers
Olive oil
Vinegar

Spices to Have on Hand

Garlic powder
Dill
Dried onion
Paprika
Thyme
Coriander

How to Make Homemade Vinaigrette

Three parts salad oil
One part vinegar
Two parts water
Tablespoon prepared mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
One smashed garlic clove

Mix all ingredients in a glass jar. Cover tightly with lid and shake. Shake again before pouring over salad or prepared vegetables.

How to Make a Homemade Ranch Dip

One cup Greek yogurt
One tablespoon mayonnaise
Two teaspoons garlic powder
One teaspoon thyme
One teaspoon dill

Stir all ingredients and use a rubber spatula to transfer to a serving bowl. Serve with fresh sliced veggies or healthy crackers for dipping.

Make Russian Dressing at Home

1 tbsp pickle relish
2 tbsp ketchup
Two tbsp mayonnaise
Three tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp vinegar

Mix all ingredients and transfer to a serving bowl to spoon over salad or serve with sandwiches.

How to Make a Healthy Coleslaw Dressing

Two tbsp plain yogurt
Three tbsp olive oil
One tablespoon mayonnaise
One tablespoon mustard
Two Tbsp vinegar
Two pinches sugar

Mix all ingredients and combine with a mixture of shredded cabbage, carrot and onion. Season with salt and pepper.

How to Make Honey Mustard Dip

Half a cup of mayonnaise
2 tbsp mustard
1 tbsp honey

Mix all ingredients. You may need to warm the honey slightly by popping it in the microwave for a few seconds. Use a rubber spatula to transfer to ramekins for dipping chicken fingers or other fun foods.

How to Make Spicy Mayo:

Spicy mayo is a fun way to kick your fries up a notch with a zesty dipping sauce. You can also spread it on your sandwiches or have it with sushi.

Quarter cup mayonnaise
Two tbsp hot sauce

Stir well. You can add cayenne pepper if you like it really spicy. Or you can reduce the amount of hot sauce if you're not that spicy.

How to Make a Cucumber Salad Dressing

Half a cup Greek yogurt
Half a cucumber, grated
1 tbsp oil
Two teaspoons vinegar
2 tbsp mayonnaise
Two teaspoons dried dill
Salt and pepper to taste

Stir all ingredients together. Add to a jar and shake well before serving with fresh salad. Also makes a nice dip for sandwiches.

How to Make a Zesty Pretzel Dipping Sauce

2 tbsp spicy brown mustard
Quarter cup mayonnaise
Two tbsp Greek yogurt
Two teaspoons dried dill
Black pepper

Combine all ingredients and stir well. Use a rubber spatula to transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy with pretzels.

How to Make Barbecue Sauce from Scratch

Half a cup of diced onion
Two tbsp cooking oil or butter
Quarter cup of ketchup
Two tbsp red wine vinegar
Quarter cup brown sugar
Three tbsp soy sauce
Two teaspoons black pepper

Start by sauteing the onions in a saucepan. Add all other ingredients and stir well. Bring to a boil then reduce heat. Simmer for about 20 minutes. Use a basting brush to mop your homemade barbecue sauce over chicken before grilling. You can also bake it in the oven if you like.

How to Make Italian Dressing at Home

¼ cup olive oil
1/8 cup red wine vinegar
One smashed garlic clove
One teaspoon dried thyme
One teaspoon black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a glass jar and cap tightly. Shake well. Let your dressing marinate for at least a half an hour before serving it with a fresh salad. Shake again before each use.

How to Make Homemade Cocktail Sauce

Feeling like a shrimp cocktail? Whip this up in a hot minute.

One cup ketchup
Half a cup prepared horseradish
Black pepper to taste

Combine ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to transfer to serving cups and present with a platter of chilled, cooked shrimp.

How to Make Horseradish Mayo

This makes a great accompaniment to a nice, thick juicy steak… or serve it alongside of a French dip.

One cup mayonnaise
Three tbsp horseradish
2 teaspoons black pepper

Combine all ingredients. Transfer to ramekins and present on each person's plate before serving.

Make French Dressing at Home

One cup ketchup
One tablespoon mayonnaise
1 tbsp red vinegar

Mixed ingredients together. Place in a jar or serving cups to enjoy with salad or dip fresh vegetables.

How to Make Onion Dip

One cup Greek yogurt
Two tbsp mayonnaise
Two tbsp dehydrated onion pieces
Two shakes onion powder
Two teaspoons soy sauce
Two teaspoons black pepper

Mix all ingredients together. Use a rubber spatula to transfer to a serving bowl and present with your favorite veggie slices, crackers and chips.

And a new one you may not have heard of before is below. Let me know what you think. 🙂

Print Pin

No ratings yet

Romesco Salsa

Try this with a tuna lettuce salad or with your favorite veggies.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Mediterranean

Keyword healthy dipping sauces, red bell pepper

Servings servings

Calories 68kcal

Author Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC

Ingredients

2 red bell peppers
4 tbsp. flaked almonds
2 tbsp. olive oil if avoiding oil, sub water
2 tbsp. lemon juice
2 garlic cloves roughly chopped
¼ tsp. sea salt
¼ tsp. red chili flakes

Instructions

Heat an oven to 500°F (260°C) and line a baking tray with aluminum foil. Roast the peppers (whole) for about 20 minutes, or until nearly blackened on all sides. Remove from the oven and either wrap the peppers in aluminum foil or place them in a sealed bag and allow them to steam for a few minutes.
In the meantime, toast the almonds in a dry pan over medium-low heat, until golden brown. This will take about 5 minutes, take care not to burn the nuts. Set aside.
Now unwrap the peppers and remove and discard the skin, stems, and seeds.
Place the flesh of the peppers into a food processor or blender along with the toasted almonds, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and chili flakes.
Blend until creamy and smooth then taste and adjust the flavorings, adding more lemon, garlic, salt and chili flakes to taste.
Once cooled, store this salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.