Making homemade sauces is a great way to know exactly what ingredients are going into them, they are more affordable than store-bought and they’re just tastier! Homemade all the way!
Whether you are in a pinch and needing a sauce pronto or you’re just trying to be more money- and ingredient-conscious, this list of homemade sauces is going to save you! I will provide a link to the recipe, as well as recommendations for ingredient substitutions. Enjoy!
FREEZING SAUCES
Store all sauces in airtight containers in the fridge. If you want to freeze for later use, glass containers are best and consider storing in small containers to avoid having to defrost in huge batches.
When ready to enjoy, allow to thaw in the fridge overnight. It’ll be ready to use the next day!
The only sauce in the below roundup that does not freeze well is Alfredo Sauce.
HOMEMADE SAVORY SAUCES
Simple Homemade Marinara Sauce – Homemade Marinara Sauce is the way to go! Make this delicious savory sauce to dip bread sticks in or to add to your next pasta dish. Made in just a few minutes, this will become your new favorite sauce!
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Replace fresh onion with 1 Tbsp dried minced onion.
- Replace fresh garlic with 1 tsp garlic powder.
- Replace fresh basil with 1 tsp dried basil.
Instant Pot Tomato Sauce – Fresh, homemade tomato sauce made in an Instant Pot is made with fresh tomatoes and does not require peeling or seeding! This is the easiest tomato sauce recipe on the planet and you will be blown away by the flavor. Use it in place of canned sauce or as a topping on pasta!
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Use any variety of fresh tomatoes for this recipe.
- Replace fresh onion with 1 Tbsp dried minced onion.
- Replace fresh garlic with 1 tsp garlic powder.
- Replace fresh basil with 1 tsp dried basil.
- Omit wine, if desired (no replacement necessary).
Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce – Spaghetti Sauce is super easy, meaty and hearty when made in an Instant Pot. Using a pressure cooker to cook pasta sauce makes it flavorful and quick to prepare, but tastes like is has simmered on the stove all day. Pour this delicious savory sauce over a pile of cooked pasta!
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- If desired, make this on stove top instead. Combine all ingredients in a large sauce pan and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
- Replace fresh onion with 1 Tbsp dried minced onion.
- Replace fresh garlic with 1 tsp garlic powder.
- Use any variety of ground meat.
- Replace marinara with tomato sauce.
Easy Spinach Basil Pesto – It takes only 5 minutes and just a few ingredients to make spinach basil pesto. This is the most versatile, delicious sauce around! It pairs well with so many different foods and I promise you won’t want to stop eating it!
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Replace fresh basil with 1 Tbsp dried basil, if needed.
- Replace fresh spinach with equal amounts canned or frozen. If using frozen, defrost and squeeze as much water out as possible.
- Replace pine nuts with chopped pecans or walnuts.
Best Homemade Taco Sauce – Make your own taco sauce to use in a variety of Mexican dishes, such as tacos, burritos and taco salads. Ditch the store-bought version so you know EXACTLY what goes inside! Takes just a few minutes to throw together.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Use any variety of vinegar you have on hand.
Best Alfredo Homemade Sauce – This one is super easy to make and done in under 10 minutes. Save yourself a trip to the store and also a little cash! This savory sauce is creamy, packed with flavor and it tastes great with pasta, pizza or bread sticks! Use this one fresh, preferably, as it does not freeze well.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Replace heavy whipping cream with whole milk or half and half in a pinch.
- Replace fresh garlic with 1/2 tsp garlic powder.
Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing – This dressing is bursting with flavor. Fresh lime, cilantro and avocados create a delicious dressing you’ll want to lick off the spoon! Pour this creamy sauce over a salad, on tacos or use it as a veggie dip or sandwich spread!
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Replace fresh parsley with 2 tsp dried parsley.
- Packaged guacamole can replace the avocado.
Best Homemade BBQ Sauce – This homemade sweet and spicy bbq sauce is packed with a bold, delicious flavor that is hard to resist. It takes only a few minutes to make and takes grilled chicken, burgers or brats to the next level!
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Use any type of sugar in the recipe.
- Any variety of vinegar can be used.
How To Make Buttermilk – Make buttermilk at home with just 2 ingredients and in 5 quick minutes. This kitchen hack will save you stress and money since it is expensive to keep on hand at all times. Gone are the days of avoiding recipes just because they call for this ingredient!
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Use vinegar and lemon juice interchangeably in this recipe.
Ginger Sauce – This Asian inspired Ginger Sauce is an exact replica of that famous Benihana sauce you love so much. It’s a memorable and tasty sauce that people wish they could bottle and take home. Goes great with steak, veggies, rice, egg rolls or fish!
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Fresh onion can be replaced with up to 1 Tbsp dried minced onion.
- Fresh ginger can be replaced with 2 tsp ground ginger.
Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce – This homemade sauce takes less than 25 minutes to make and tastes way better than anything you can buy from the store. It is loaded with flavor and goes well with any toppings. The recipe makes enough to cover two 12-inch pizzas!
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Omit tomato paste, if you don’t have it on hand.
Homemade Enchilada Sauce – Way more delicious than anything you can buy at the store and it is super easy to make. It only requires a handful of ingredients and is done in 15 minutes, with perfect flavor and consistency. Add it to your favorite enchilada recipe!
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Replace flour with corn starch, if desired.
- Any type of oil can be used in this recipe.
- Chicken broth can be replaced with water.
- Tomato paste can be omitted entirely, if you don’t have it on hand.
Copycat Arby’s Sauce – A copycat recipe of the famous Arby’s Sauce that makes sandwiches sing! This zingy flavorful BBQ style sauce is so delicious and you don’t have to wait for a fast food run to enjoy it. Throw it on a pile of roast beef or a sandwich of any kind!
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Any type of sugar can be used in this recipe.
- Omit hot sauce, if desired.
How To Make Your Own Chili Paste – Make this staple to keep on hand in your kitchen for homemade Asian recipes, especially if you enjoy adding it to your favorite dishes in the restaurant! It’s healthy, super cheap to make yourself and PACKED with flavor. This is a great condiment to have on hand!
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Shallots can be replaced with any variety of onions.
- Replace hot peppers with any that are available.
- Replace fresh garlic with 1 tsp garlic powder.
- Canola oil can be replaced with any type of oil.
- Any variety of vinegar can be used in this recipe.
- Worcestershire sauce can be omitted, if desired.
HOMEMADE SWEET SAUCES
Easy Hot Fudge Sauce – Five ingredients and five minutes of your time and you will have a chocolatey, dreamy Hot Fudge Sauce on your hands! It’s a thick, smooth and rich treat. Store in the fridge and reheat as needed for your next bowl of ice cream or pan of fudgy brownies. This great recipe will not last long in the fridge. It is also a great DIY gift that people will love!
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Half and half can replace heavy cream.
Homemade Dulce de Leche (aka milk candy) can be used in so many delicious recipes and it is easy to make in your own kitchen with a single ingredient!
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- There are no substitutions for this recipe!
Blueberry Sauce – Blueberry Sauce is super easy to make and goes great on pancakes, waffles or works great as a pie filling! If you want to know how to make blueberry sauce in your kitchen, read on for quick and easy instructions!
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Replace fresh blueberries with frozen!
Salted Caramel Sauce – Just 4 ingredients are needed to make your own Salted Caramel sauce. It’s easy to do and you’ll be glad you know how to make it yourself because this recipe has so many uses – top or fill your next batch of baked goods with this delicious, irresistible sauce. You will need to resist the temptation to eat it by the spoonful! Salt and caramel make the best food duo.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Heavy cream can be replaced with half and half or whole milk in a pinch.
Which sauces are missing? Comment and let me know what I should add to the list!
Leave a Reply