Whether you’re grilling burgers or steak, no cookout is complete without the most essential condiments on hand. Why settle for store-bought though, when you can make homemade condiments with items from your pantry?
We’ve got everything from Homemade Croutons & Caesar Salad Dressing and Peach Preserves to more unique flavors like Lavender Infused Sugar and Black Aioli Sauce to Golden Turmeric Paste and Santa Maria Tri-Tip Rub.
We also have a recipes for spice seasonings that will take your grilling to the next level.
Why Make Homemade Condiments?
Making your own condiments economical, as well as fun. You get the change to create your own own ‘secret sauce’, or spice rub.
There are a few reasons to make any of these delicious, essential condiment recipes:
- They’re fresher and tastier than store-bought condiments.
- Unique. You can control the ingredients, so you can be sure they’re free of artificial flavors and preservatives.
- Versatile. You can customize the flavors to your own taste.
- They’re delicious. They’re a great way to use up fresh herbs and vegetables from your garden.
So what are you waiting for?
Next time you’re looking for a special sauce, seasoning, or way to jazz up your recipe, try one of these homemade condiment recipes.
28 Essential Spices & Condiments Recipes
This recipe for homemade croutons and caesar salad dressing is easy to prepare and can be made in advance. All that is needed for a great caesar salad is the torn romaine lettuce
Using a molcajete or mortar and pestle will give you the best guacamole you have ever had. Smashing the ingredients releases the natural oils and flavors in a way that you just can’t achieve by chopping with a knife.
This is guacamole done right, and it doesn't take a lot of ingredients. If you have ever had tableside guacamole at a restaurant, this is how they make it!
If you don't have a molcajete, simply use a mortar and pestle instead. If it isn't large enough to hold all the ingredients, no problem! Make a paste from the onions and herbs, then transfer it to a bowl and mash it with the avocados.
Red Chimichurri is a vibrant, bold Argentinian sauce made with roasted red peppers as its base. Added fresh herbs and spices give it a perfect balance of flavors. It is just as versatile as its cousin, the green chimichurri.
Carolina gold BBQ sauce is the perfect combination of tangy, zesty, and sweet with a touch of heat. This mustard based sauce can be used as a marinade or glaze and makes the perfect complement to your favorite BBQ dishes like pulled pork, ribs, beef brisket, and chicken.
The bold flavor in this gold sauce was inspired by one of our favorite bbq restaurants. If you want to mellow the flavors a bit, use the optional tomato paste.
Savor the juicy flavors of fresh peaches! This easy recipe uses only a few ingredients to produce a supply of bright, sweet peach preserves to enjoy all year long.
This mint sauce is a perfect complement to lamb. Lemon, Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, pine nuts, and just a hint of garlic give this sauce a burst of flavor.
The flavors come together for a truly delicious meal when served alongside juicy, roasted lamb. It pairs especially with lamb and goes well with pasta, roasted vegetables, and fish. Plus, it only takes minutes to make!
This pot roast seasoning is the perfect blend of herbs and spices that will enhance the savory flavors of a pot beef and vegetables.
This Japanese sake marinade is perfect for adding flavor and juiciness to chicken, beef, pork, or seafood. Plus, it's easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients.
Golden turmeric paste (aka golden paste) is a concentrated paste made from coconut oil, turmeric, and other spices that you can use to make tea, a golden milk latte, or stir into yogurt, smoothies, salad dressings, and curry sauces.
The warm spices and earthy flavors make a delicious and healthy drink.
This smooth, creamy Roasted Garlic Spread is addictive! Roasting garlic magically transforms the flavor into a nutty, mellow flavor. Spread it on toasted baguette slices for a quick and easy appetizer.
This Santa Maria rub is the perfect flavor combination for any cut of beef. With a mix of spices, brown sugar and espresso coffee and a little kick from Ancho chili flakes.
Our homemade stick blender Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing takes 5 minutes to prepare and has a fresh taste unmatched with store-bought dressings Made right in a jar, just blend it, stir in the fresh herbs, pop the lid on the jar and refrigerate until ready to use.
This homemade taco seasoning is fast, easy and wholesome. There is a slight smokey flavor from chipotle chili powder that makes this spice blend stand out. It is more than a Mexican spice blend and goes well with any kind of meat.
The long, slow cooking intensifies the sugar in these onions to caramelize into a savory goodness! Use these savory-sweet caramelized onion to top off a burger, stir into a quiche or make a French onion soup!
A delicious Cajun seasoning mix which is the perfect amount of hot and has a bit of sweetness. I use this all the time for pork or chicken on the barbeque. The smoked paprika really compliments the smoke flavor of the wood chips in the grill. Store it in an airtight container and use it over and over again!
This homemade onion soup mix is lower in sodium and healthier than the storebought version. Thanks to some special ingredients, it is big on flavor.
This lavender infused sugar will give your sugar a special hint of citrus and floral notes. It’s a gourmet-level sugar that will add a distinct boost in flavor to drinks, baked goods and just about anything your little heart can imagine.
A delicious blend of spices with the right balance of flavors for a traditional lamb or beef shawarma. This spice mix can be used as a dry rub or it can be mixed with with olive oil and vinegar to make an amazing marinade.
Using an immersion blender makes this a fast, fuss-free, and easy recipe. This sauce comes together in minutes and has 4 variations to switch up the flavor.
Popular Condiment Serving Options
These essential condiments recipes are easy to make, and they’re sure to impress your guests.
- Serve these condiment recipes on the side of your grilled meats and vegetables.
- Use them as dipping sauces for chips, vegetables, or french fries.
- Add them to sandwiches, wraps, or salads.
- Use them as marinades or glazes for grilled meats.
Tips for Success
- Start with high-quality ingredients.
- Use fresh herbs and spices whenever possible.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors.
- Store your condiments in airtight containers in the refrigerator (or in a cool pantry for non-refrigerated items).
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Frequently Asked Questions
Some basic ingredients that you will need to make homemade condiments include oil, vinegar, spices, pickles, fruits, juices, vegetables, tomato paste, and salt.
The shelf life of homemade condiments varies depending on the type of condiment. In general, condiments that are made with vinegar or oil will last for several months if stored in a cool, dark place. Condiments that are made with dairy products or fresh herbs will have a shorter shelf life.
Homemade condiments should be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This will help to keep them fresh and prevent them from spoiling.
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Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
