The 20 Quick Sauces You’ll Rely On When Dinner’s Bland

If your dinner is missing that extra kick, quick sauces are exactly what you need to bring it to life. These are the kinds of go-to recipes you'll rely on when your meal needs something more but you don’t have time for complicated prep. Whether it's a last-minute weeknight dinner or a quick fix to boost a simple dish, these sauces are perfect for turning bland into great in no time.

A close-up image of a spoon dipped into cilantro lime sauce inside a white bowl.

Cilantro Lime Sauce . Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Garlic Butter Sauce

An image of garlic butter pasta. — Garlic Butter Sauce. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This quick garlic butter sauce comes together in just 7 minutes and adds a rich, garlicky flavor to any dish. Perfect for transforming pasta, pizza, or roasted veggies in no time.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Sauce

Kale Pesto Sauce

This vegan kale pesto is a great option for quick meals and is ready in under 5 minutes. It’s a healthy, dairy-free sauce that’s perfect for a fast, flavorful fix.
Get the Recipe: Kale Pesto Sauce

Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cranberries

Close up of cranberry sauce made with dried cranberries. — Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cranberries. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This easy cranberry sauce is made with dried cranberries and takes just minutes to prepare. It's a great option for quick holiday meals or whenever you need a simple yet flavorful sauce.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cranberries

Basil Cream Sauce

This basil cream sauce is fresh and creamy, making it a perfect complement to pasta. Ready in 15 minutes, it’s the go-to sauce when you need a quick and flavorful addition.
Get the Recipe: Basil Cream Sauce

Elevated Canned Cranberry Sauce

A close up view of cranberry sauce in white bowl, with a spoon and oranges in the background. — Elevated Canned Cranberry Sauce. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This canned cranberry sauce recipe is as quick as it is easy, with just 5 ingredients. It’s the perfect solution for a fast, tangy side dish that adds a punch to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Elevated Canned Cranberry Sauce

Basil Pesto

Made with just six ingredients, this pesto alla Genovese is a traditional sauce that works as a dip, spread, or pasta topping. It’s a simple, fast choice when you need a burst of fresh flavor.
Get the Recipe: Basil Pesto

West African Pepper Sauce

Close-up image of African pepper sauce in a bowl. — West African Pepper Sauce. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

With a mix of bell peppers, habaneros, tomatoes, and onions, this African pepper sauce is versatile and quick to make. It’s perfect for spicing up pasta or using as a dip when dinner needs a little excitement.
Get the Recipe: West African Pepper Sauce

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

A close up photo of fresh cranberry sauce placed in a white bowl with spoon, oranges and fresh cranberries in the background. — Homemade Cranberry Sauce. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Whether using fresh or frozen cranberries, this cranberry sauce comes together quickly and adds a burst of flavor to any holiday spread. It’s perfect for when you need a speedy, seasonal fix.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Cilantro Lime Sauce

This cilantro lime sauce is vibrant and quick to make, taking only 5 minutes. It’s a versatile option for everything from tacos to salads, adding a fresh, tangy kick.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Sauce

Spicy Dipping Sauce

For a creamy, flavorful dip that packs a punch, this spicy dipping sauce is the way to go. It’s a perfect, quick option for spicing up appetizers, meats, or veggies.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Dipping Sauce

Healthy Tartar Sauce

This homemade tartar sauce is creamy and quick to make, making it an easy addition to seafood dishes. It’s the perfect choice when you want something fast and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Tartar Sauce

Simple Marinara Sauce

Image shows an overhead shot of a blue enameled cast iron pot with freshly made Marinara Sauce. — Simple Marinara Sauce. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This savory marinara sauce is packed with the flavors of ripe tomatoes and garlic. It’s a great option when you need a quick, fresh sauce for pasta or as a dipping sauce.
Get the Recipe: Simple Marinara Sauce

Tiger Sauce

Homemade tiger sauce adds a fiery kick to any meal with its tangy, spicy, and sweet flavors. It’s perfect for marinating meats or drizzling over dishes to boost the flavor quickly.
Get the Recipe: Tiger Sauce

Soy-Free Soy Sauce

Small bowls of soy sauce with wooden chopsticks on dark background. — Soy-Free Soy Sauce. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

This keto soy sauce substitute is sugar-free, soy-free, and wheat-free, making it a great alternative for low-carb meals. It’s a quick and easy fix for stir fry or marinades when you need a soy sauce replacement.
Get the Recipe: Soy-Free Soy Sauce

Bang Bang Sauce

Bang Bang Sauce is a quick, flavorful way to spice up a variety of dishes. Ready in 10 minutes, it’s perfect for eggs, veggies, or anything that needs a bit of heat.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Sauce

BBQ Sauce

This homemade BBQ sauce is low-carb and full of smoky, tangy flavors. It’s a quick and easy option for enhancing meats or side dishes without the hassle of store-bought options.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Sauce

Beer Cheese Sauce

Cheese dip in a white bowl. — Beer Cheese Sauce. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

This Beer Cheese Sauce is creamy, cheesy, and quick to prepare, making it a great addition to pretzels or veggies. It’s an easy, flavorful dip that’s ready in about 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Sauce

Creamy Avocado Sauce

Avocado sauce in a bowl with it's ingredients surrounding it. — Creamy Avocado Sauce. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Avocado sauce is a simple, creamy option that adds a tangy lime burst to meals. It’s quick to make and a great way to add flavor to busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Avocado Sauce

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

Sweet chili sauce in a small bowl on a light green cloth. — Thai Sweet Chili Sauce. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

This Thai sweet chili sauce combines sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors, making it a great addition to any meal. It’s quick to make and perfect for dipping or drizzling over your favorite dishes.
Get the Recipe: Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

Honey Teriyaki Sauce

This honey teriyaki sauce is paleo-friendly and easy to make. It’s perfect for quickly transforming chicken, beef, or salmon with a delicious, balanced flavor.
Get the Recipe: Honey Teriyaki Sauce