In the culinary world, the term "special sauce" often evokes a sense of intrigue and anticipation. It is a tantalizing ingredient that has the power to transform an ordinary dish into something extraordinary. Whether it's a tangy, sweet, or spicy concoction, the right special sauce can elevate the flavors of burgers, sandwiches, salads, or appetizers, leaving a lasting impression on the palate. In this article, we will delve into the world of special sauces, unlocking their secrets and providing you with a comprehensive guide to creating your own unique and delectable sauce that will make your dishes shine.
Here are our top 20 tried and tested recipes!
SPECIAL BURGER SAUCE
Steps:
- Combine the mayonnaise, mustard, relish, ketchup, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika in a medium bowl and whisk until well blended.
SPECIAL SPICY SEAFOOD SAUCE
I've been serving this tangy seafood sauce for over 30 years, and I'm always asked for the recipe. Low in fat and easy to make, it's a great seafood sauce to serve with cold shrimp as an appetizer. The recipe is easy to halve or double, too. I've found it's usually smart to make extra. It goes so fast! -Carolyn Chapman, Yelm, Washington
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 5m
Yield 1-3/4 cups.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Refrigerate leftovers.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 27 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 390mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.
MC DONALD'S SPECIAL BURGER SAUCE ( BIG MAC SAUCE - COPYCAT )
This sauce is a clone of the Big Mac Sauce and comes from the book "Even More Top Secret Recipes" by Todd Wilbur. It tastes exactly like the real thing so if your a Big Mac lover like I, you'll be thrilled. The beauty of this recipe is I have tried it with lowfat mayonnaise (Hellman's Just 2 Good) and it was wonderful. I'd stick with regular French dressing, though, just to be safe.
Provided by Christmas Carol
Categories Sauces
Time 10m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly.
- Transfer sauce to a covered container and chill for several hours to allow flavors to blend.
- Stir sauce occasionally and again before serving.
- Tip: To add authentic Big Mac flavor to your burgers, lightly toast cut sides of sesame seed buns in a dry nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Watch carefully so they do not burn.
STEAK AND SHAKE SPECIAL SAUCE
This is exactly Steak and Shake's Special Sauce that they serve over their Chili Mac. I make Chili Mac with recipe #27171 and it is wonderful. Cook time is refrigerator time.
Provided by mandabears
Categories Sauces
Time 1h1m
Yield 1 cup
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- Mix catsup and Worcestershire sauce together in a bowl.
- Refrigerate.
- Serve on top on of cooked spaghetti topped with recipe #27171, shredded cheese, chopped onion.
- Use about 2 tablespoons per serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 278.4, Fat 0.9, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 3340, Carbohydrate 73.4, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 61.5, Protein 4.2
SMASH BURGERS WITH GRIDDLED ONIONS AND SPICY SPECIAL SAUCE
Smash burgers are an iconic staple of American diners, with their toasted buns and that mysteriously delicious special sauce. My version amps up the flavor of the special sauce with pickled jalapenos and adds a slight smoky, sweet flavor from griddled onions. The secret to the perfect smash burger is not overworking the meat so that it's tender and juicy but still gets a browned, salty crust with a hit of pepper and melty cheese draped over the top.
Provided by Rick Martinez
Categories main-dish
Time 25m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Whisk the mayonnaise, pickled jalapenos, brine, mustard and garlic together in a small bowl. Set aside until ready to serve.
- Combine the chuck and brisket in a medium bowl and using 2 forks, "pull" the meat apart, breaking up any clumps and combining the two meats together. This will seem counterintuitive but it will blend the meats together without compacting them. Divide into 4 equal portions and form balls (about the size of tennis balls) being careful not to compact or overwork the meat -- do not form patties.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and season with salt and pepper; cook, tossing occasionally, until golden browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Sprinkle with the sugar and toss until caramelized, about 1 minute. Transfer to a plate.
- Increase the heat to high and heat the same skillet until very hot. Add the remaining oil (or 1 tablespoon oil, if working in batches), swirling to coat.
- Working in batches if necessary, place balls in the skillet and smash flat with a metal spatula using the handle of a wooden spoon to press down on the spatula to form 4-inch patties (you want to see craggy edges). Season liberally with salt and pepper and cook, undisturbed, until the outer edges are brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip the patties, season with salt and pepper and top each patty with a slice of cheese. Cook until the cheese droops and the burgers are medium-rare, about 1 minute.
- Serve the patties on the toasted buns with the spicy special sauce, griddled onions, lettuce and tomatoes.
BAKED ZITI WITH SPECIAL TOMATO SAUCE
This sauce has a secret ingredient, grape or currant jelly, that's right, jelly! I use the unsweetened kind, I find the fruit takes the acidity out of the tomatoes.
Provided by Manami
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h8m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- QUICK TOMATO SAUCE:
- Make this first; heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Cook the sausages until begining to brown, about 3 minutes.
- Add the onion and garlic, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes more.
- Add the tomatoes, thyme and jelly or preserves and bring to a boil.
- Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Remove and sicard the sprig of thyme.
- Stir in the seasoning and season with pepper, to taste.
- Use now or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 dayse or freeze up to 2 months. The yield is 5 cups.
- ZITI:.
- Preheat oven to 400ºF.
- Cook the ziti according to pkg directions.
- Drain.
- Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce, cubed mozzarella, half of the Parmesan cheese, black pepper and red pepper flakes.
- Transfer the pasta to an oiled 9x13" baking dish.
- Cover the top of the pasta with the sliced mozzarella, and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan.
- Bake until lightly browned and hot, about 30 minutes.
- Serve at once.
SPECIAL HAMBURGER SAUCE
"This thick sauce is the secret to making children happy," promises Cairol Ostrander of Bainbridge, Georgia. "It turns an ordinary burger into their favorite fast-food version."
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 5m
Yield 1-1/2 cups.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a bowl, combine all ingredients. Store in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 87 calories, Fat 7g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 255mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
CANE'S SPECIAL SAUCE
The very sauce recipe used in Raising Cane's. I tested and made sure to include all of the ingredients. I like this proportion as it is not too much or too little. I calculated the proportion based on the exact use of the huge tubs made at the actual places.
Provided by carmelkickerdude
Categories Sauces
Time 5m
Yield 1 small tub, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Mix mayonnaise, ketchup, garlic salt, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and paprika together.
- Refrigerate before using.
SPECIAL BASTING SAUCE FOR GRILLED LAMB
Make and share this Special Basting Sauce for Grilled Lamb recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Chocolatl
Categories Sauces
Time 8h5m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Combine all ingredients.
- Refrigerate at least 8 hours, or overnight.
- Remove garlic and mint leaves.
- Use as a basting sauce for grilled lamb.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 7.9, Fat 0.1, Sodium 1.6, Carbohydrate 2.1, Fiber 0.2, Sugar 0.6, Protein 0.2
DEBBIE'S SPECIAL CRANBERRY SAUCE
My Mom has made this recipe for Thanksgiving and other holidays for the last 20 years. Goes well with chicken, turkey, and pork.
Provided by Swest
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Cranberry Sauce Recipes
Time 3h30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine the cranberries, prunes, water, raspberry jam, sugar, vinegar, salt, and cinnamon stick in a 3-quart saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until thick and most of the cranberries have burst, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Transfer to a container with a lid; cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 131 calories, Carbohydrate 34.2 g, Fat 0.2 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 0.7 g, Sodium 147.8 mg, Sugar 25.6 g
ALL-AMERICAN MINI BURGERS AND SPECIAL SAUCE
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Categories appetizer
Time 16m
Yield 10 mini burgers
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Preheat grill pan or outdoor grill to high. Mix meat and next 4 ingredients. Divide meat into half and score each half into 5 pieces. Roll the meat into balls then squish it into small, thin patties, 3 inches across. You will yield 10 patties. To make a double batch or more, meat can be made into patties ahead and placed on cookie sheets to store 24 hours. These patties can also be baked on cookie sheets in preheated 400 degree F oven for 10 to 12 minutes. But, on a hot indoor or outdoor grill, these small burgers will take just 2 or 3 minutes on each side for medium doneness. Serve on dinner rolls with chopped lettuce, chopped onion and Special Sauce.
- To make sauce, combine ranch dressing with ketchup and black pepper.
VALERIE'S SPECIAL SAUCE
This sauce goes great on everything, fries, chicken tenders and on burgers to jazz it up. It's a simple 5 ingredient recipe your family and friends are sure to enjoy. It turns the ordinary and casual dish to an extraordinary, upscale meal.
Provided by VALdelish
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes
Time 5m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Blend together the mayonnaise, ranch dressing, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder in a bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 175.5 calories, Carbohydrate 1.8 g, Cholesterol 9.3 mg, Fat 18.7 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 0.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 234.2 mg, Sugar 1 g
SPECIAL WHITE CLAM SAUCE
This is not a regular white clam sauce. Italian cookbook author Marcella Hazan adds butter and Parmesan to this famous clam sauce, a combination rarely used in other Italian clam dishes. The result is sensational!
Provided by Grace Lynn
Categories European
Time 45m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Reserve clam juice and strain it through a fine sieve.
- In a medium sauce pan, combine 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and the shallots.
- Place over moderate heat and saute, stirring frequently, until the shallots are translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic, oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon of the red pepper flakes and saute for 2 minutes.
- Pour in the wine and bring to a boil over moderate heat.
- Cook until reduced by half, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the reserved clam juice and boil over moderate heat until reduced by about one-third, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Taste and add 1/4 teaspoon more red pepper flakes, if you like.
- Reduce the heat to low, stir in the clams, and cook for 2 minutes.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in 1/4 cup of the parsley and 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan.
- Stir in the butter until it melts.
- Pour sauce over cooked linguine and toss.
- Sprinkle with additional parsley and Parmesan cheese and serve right away.
MCDONALD'S SPECIAL SAUCE BIG MAC
Make and share this McDonald's Special Sauce Big Mac recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Mebriella
Categories Low Protein
Time 10m
Yield 3/4 cup, 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Stir well.
- Place sauce in a covered container and refrigerate for several hours, or overnight, so.
- that the flavors blend. Stir the sauce a couple of times as it chills.
GRANNY'S SPECIAL BBQ SAUCE..
I came up with this several years ago, and its a favorite with everyone who has ever tasted it... We have served it with pulled pork at church functions, and everyone wanted the recipe. The secret ingredient? Jack Daniels! Just tell everyone its a secret family recipe..lol.Its great on brisket, pulled pork, or baby back ribs (.I used low carb ketsup, and splenda's brown sugar.)
Provided by Lou6566
Categories Sauces
Time 5m
Yield 3 cups, 8-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Simply stir all together. Use part as a mop and store the rest in refrig to serve with the ribs.
ASIAN GROUND BEEF LETTUCE WRAPS WITH SPECIAL DIPPING SAUCE
Steps:
- Make the special sauce by dissolving the sugar in water in a small bowl. Add soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, ketchup, lemon juice and sesame oil. Mix well and refrigerate this sauce until you're ready to serve. Rinse whole lettuce leaves and pat dry, being careful not tear them. Set aside. In a medium skillet over high heat, brown the ground beef in 1 tablespoon of oil, stirring often and reducing the heat to medium, if necessary. Drain, and set aside to cool. Cook the onion in the same pan, stirring frequently. Add the garlic, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, vinegar, and chile pepper sauce to the onions, and stir. Stir in chopped water chestnuts, green onions, and sesame oil, and continue cooking until the onions just begin to wilt, about 2 minutes. Arrange lettuce leaves around the outer edge of a large serving platter, and pile meat mixture in the center. To serve, allow each person to spoon a portion of the meat into a lettuce leaf. Wrap the lettuce around the meat like a burrito, and dip in dipping sauce (optional).
ELVIS' SPECIAL CHEESE SAUCE FOR MEATLOAF
This recipe is the optional sauce for Elvis Presley's favorite meatloaf, which I have also posted.
Provided by Martha Price
Categories Other Sauces
Time 10m
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- 1. Mix the milk and soup; heat over medium heat, then add the cheese. Simmer until cheese is melted. Stir chopped parsley and pimentos, if using, into the soup. Pour sauce over the meatloaf, or pass at the table.
SPECIAL SAUCE
Provided by Bon Appétit Test Kitchen
Categories Sauce Onion Quick & Easy Backyard BBQ Mayonnaise Bon Appétit
Yield Makes about 1 cup
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine ingredients in a medium bowl and serve with burgers. Earn bonus points by bringing a jar to the next cookout.
DREW'S SPECIAL RIB SAUCE
When Damon's Restaurant left our area, I had to create their wonderful rib sauce. This deliciously sweet, hickory-flavored sauce is my family's all-time favorite! When I want a little heat, I add some hot sauce to recipe. Great on chicken, pork chops, meatloaf, and country ribs, cooked in the oven or on the grill. It even makes good baked beans. However, for ribs that live up to their name, try the Best Babyback Ribs in Town, Recipe #57185. This recipe came from my cookbook, "True Southern Family Favorites".
Provided by BeachGirl
Categories Sauces
Time 30m
Yield 1 1/2 cups, 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Mix cornstarch and water together to make a slurry.
- Set aside.
- Mix remaining dry ingredients together.
- Place in saucepan.
- Mix remaining wet ingredients together.
- Pour half of wet ingredients into dry ingredients, stirring to mix well.
- Add remaining half of wet ingredients, stir to mix well, and simmer mixture, uncovered, for about 10-20 minutes to thicken sauce a bit.
- While mixture is gently boiling, pour in slurry while stirring.
- Return mixture to a slow boil and cook until sauce thickens a little.
- Sauce should be thick enough to cling to ribs, yet pourable.
- Cool sauce and store in air-tight glass or plastic container.
- Refrigerated it keeps indefinitely.
- Double or triple the recipe, as you'll find lots of uses for this luscious sauce.
ANNIE'S EXTRA SPECIAL TARTAR SAUCE
Don't know who Annie is. This recipe is from an auto-glass company's compilation cookbook which was given out as a gift. It contains recipes from all different insurance companies in the US. This was submitted by Kim Houser of the Sterling G. Thompson Company, Louisville, KY. Sounds different-no relish or pickles. Here for safe keeping. Good with all kinds of seafood and and even on other sandwiches.
Provided by Oolala
Categories Sauces
Time 5m
Yield 1 cup, 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a small bowl, mix the dry mustard and the water.
- Add the remaining ingredients and stir until smooth.
- Refrigerate.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 69, Fat 5.9, SaturatedFat 1.2, Cholesterol 6.2, Sodium 115.7, Carbohydrate 4.1, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 1.2, Protein 0.3
Tips:
- Mise en place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment you need. This will help you stay organized and prevent any surprises.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the sauce will be. Look for fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices whenever possible.
- Don't be afraid to experiment: There are endless possibilities when it comes to making sauces. Try different combinations of ingredients and flavors to find what you like best.
- Taste your sauce as you go: This is the best way to make sure it's seasoned to your liking. Add more salt, pepper, or other spices as needed.
- Let your sauce simmer: Simmering allows the flavors to meld and develop. Most sauces will benefit from at least 30 minutes of simmering, but some can simmer for hours.
- Store your sauce properly: Once your sauce is made, let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Most sauces will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, or up to 6 months in the freezer.
Conclusion:
Sauces are a great way to add flavor and interest to your dishes. They can be used to dress up simple ingredients, or to create complex and flavorful meals. With a little practice, you can learn to make delicious sauces that will impress your friends and family. So get creative and start experimenting!
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