Let’s be honest—most meals are made or murdered by what you put on top of them. A dry chicken breast? Sad. A dry chicken breast with a silky lemon butter sauce? Iconic. The same goes for vegetables, pastas, rice, fish, tofu, and basically anything that’s not already drowning in something creamy, spicy, herby, or tangy.
As someone who considers food an emotional support system, I’ve learned that having a few go-to sauces in your back pocket is the difference between “functional fuel” and “damn, I should’ve Instagrammed that.”
So, without further ado, here are a few of my favorite homemade sauces that can turn even the most mediocre Tuesday night dinner into something that feels like a little celebration.
1. Garlic-Lemon Tahini Sauce (a.k.a. The Saucy Therapist)
Creamy, tangy, vegan, and versatile. I put this on everything from roasted sweet potatoes to falafel to grain bowls. It whispers “put together” even when your fridge is screaming “chaos.”
Ingredients:
- ½ cup tahini
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup cold water (add gradually)
How to Make:
Whisk everything together and watch it transform from thick paste to creamy magic. Adjust the water to your preferred consistency. Bonus: keeps in the fridge for up to a week.
2. Chili Crisp Honey Butter (The Sweet, Spicy Showoff)
This one doesn’t whisper. It struts in with a crop top and glitter. It’s spicy, buttery, sweet, and so addictive I’ve considered putting it on pancakes. Great on roasted veggies, grilled shrimp, biscuits, or just…a spoon.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp chili crisp
- 1 tbsp honey
- Pinch of salt
How to Make:
Melt the butter gently, stir in the chili crisp and honey, and let it get friendly. Pour over anything that needs a glow-up. You’ll never eat boring toast again.
3. Herby Green Goddess Yogurt Sauce (The Classy One)
This one is fresh, cool, and secretly powerful—kind of like Shelby after two glasses of rosé. Great as a salad dressing, dip, or on grilled meats and tofu.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup fresh parsley
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 garlic clove
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 tbsp olive oil for richness
How to Make:
Blend until smooth and green like envy. Adjust seasoning as needed. Keeps well in the fridge and makes you feel like you actually planned your meal.
4. Simple Soy-Ginger Stir Fry Sauce (The Weeknight Lifesaver)
This one? She’s efficient. This sauce pulls double duty as a marinade or stir fry sauce and slaps hard over rice, noodles, or sad steamed broccoli.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Optional: 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water for thickening
How to Make:
Whisk and go. If using as a stir-fry sauce, add to the pan and let it bubble up and thicken with the cornstarch mix.
5. Creamy Avocado Cilantro Sauce (Green, Mean, and Smooth)
This is a sauce for people who want guacamole but fancier. Use it on tacos, grilled meats, or roasted cauliflower. Also? It’s great as a chip dip.
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe avocado
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- Juice of 1 lime
- ½ cup fresh cilantro
- 1 garlic clove
- Salt to taste
- Water to thin if needed
How to Make:
Blend until smooth and adjust the texture with water or more lime juice. Store with a piece of plastic wrap touching the surface to avoid browning.
Sauce Wisdom from a Former Nurse, Now Food Therapist
Here’s the thing: life’s too short for bland food. I’ve learned that joy often comes from small, intentional choices. Like turning a plain grilled chicken into a restaurant moment with one swipe of a spoon. Sauces are not just condiments—they’re emotional armor. They say, “I care enough to zhuzh.”
Also, if you want people to think you can cook? Have a good sauce. If you actually can’t cook? Have two.