6 Homemade Dipping Sauces
Comeback sauce, yum yum sauce, buttermilk ranch, honey BBQ, peanut sauce and sweet chili lime for tenders, nuggets and vegetables.
Dipping sauces turn plain chicken tenders, dumplings or a plate of raw vegetables into a meal kids actually finish. Set out two or three in small bowls.
A dipping sauce flight is also a clever way to use up the last few spoonfuls of condiments in the fridge door.
Comeback sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons chili sauce or ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Stir together and chill for 30 minutes.
Good with: Chicken tenders, fries, fried pickles
Yum yum sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 to 2 tablespoons water
Whisk until smooth, thinning with water. It tastes best after an hour in the fridge.
Good with: Fried rice, shrimp, grilled chicken
Buttermilk ranch
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Whisk together and chill for at least 30 minutes to let the herbs hydrate.
Good with: Vegetable sticks, wings, pizza crusts
Honey BBQ
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
Stir together. Warm it briefly for a glossier dip.
Good with: Nuggets, sliders, sweet potato fries
Peanut dipping sauce
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 small garlic clove, grated
- 2 to 4 tablespoons warm water
Whisk, adding warm water until smooth and dippable. Contains peanuts and soy.
Good with: Spring rolls, chicken skewers, cucumber
Sweet chili lime
- 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
Stir together.
Good with: Dumplings, coconut shrimp, egg rolls
Storage
Keep homemade sauces in covered jars in the refrigerator. Mayonnaise-, yogurt- and dairy-based sauces are best within 4 to 5 days; oil-and-vinegar sauces keep about a week. If a sauce smells off or looks moldy, throw it out.
More dips: 6 French fry dipping sauces and 6 Greek yogurt dips.
Questions, answered
What is a good dipping sauce for chicken tenders?
Honey mustard, comeback sauce, buttermilk ranch and honey BBQ are the classics.
What dipping sauce goes with dumplings or potstickers?
Sweet chili lime or a simple soy dipping sauce: 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar and a few drops of sesame oil.
