Recipes for Sauces & Marinades

Whenever I go to a restaurant that has a salsa bar (always a plus in my book), I skip over the chunky pico de gallo and roasted tomato salsa and head straight to the salsa verde. This tart, slightly spicy salsa always makes whatever I’m pouring it onto so much tastier. It can be slightly harder to find at the store, but it’s actually one of the easiest salsas you can make at home! You just need five ingredients: tomatillos, garlic, cilantro, jalapeño, and salt.

It uses all pantry staples.

And it’s perfect for all your dipping needs.

The classic pasta sauce just got a whole lot easier.

My comforting, go-to dinner.

Transform any vegetable into a showstopper.

It's universally well-received.

This recipe makes a classic gravy that's perfect for gluten-free holiday tables.

Traditionally, it can take two full days to make; this recipe only requires 40 minutes.

Which traditional Thanksgiving foods can you not do without? Is it the stuffing, the cranberry sauce, the mashed potatoes? Where I come from, it’s almost criminal if a Thanksgiving turkey doesn’t have a side of gravy. How else are you going to deal with Aunt Helen’s dry bird? This year, offer to make the gravy and learn a skill that can be utilized all year-round — make this gravy with chicken, too!

When your Thanksgiving turkey is roasted and the guests are seated, you don't have to worry about your gravy; it's already done. Here's a step-by-step recipe to show you how.

A classic cranberry sauce that requires just three ingredients.

It's an easy process that is 100% worth it.

One of the rare times you actually want to be basic!

I always have this Puerto Rican staple ready to add to stews, stir-fries, and any other dish that needs a quick burst of flavor.

This classic master sauce is made with milk, butter, and flour and it's incredibly useful in the kitchen in ways both large and small.

It goes from salads to veggies to meat without blinking an eye.

If you only have a few minutes to get dinner on the table and have just enough energy to dice an onion, this is a good recipe to turn to! The flavors are simple yet delicious, and the ricotta adds just a touch of tang and richness. Sometimes a dish like this with a glass of wine is all it takes to make us happy.This sauce can be made in roughly the time it takes a large pot of water to come to a boil. Prep all the ingredients and then put the water on to boil.

You’ve seen them on restaurant menus at fancy places. Braised Beef Medallions with Cognac Reduction. Roast Muscovy Duck With Cherry-Port Reduction. Venison with Rosemary-Basalmic Reduction. They may sound exotic, but they’re quite easy to prepare at home on your own!You, too, can dazzle your family and dinner guests with chi-chi reduction sauces at very little time and cost.A reduction sauce is often a sauce made with the drippings and juices left over after cooking meat.

These are the grown-up buttered noodles you need in your life.

It's garlicky, savory, and oh so easy to make.

No one would guess that there's no meat in sight.

Knowing how to make chocolate ganache requires understanding just two things: proportion and temperature.

The simplest — and tastiest — way to elevate your dinner at home.

Let us introduce you to the luxurious dairy-free substitute for whipped cream, cheese dip, alfredo, and even sour cream. Dairy-free cooks love it; vegans rely on it. You will too.

Ranch dressing's cool older sister is really into the herb.

It's on your table in 30 minutes, too.

A fresh and flavorful sauce to memorize.

It comes together with just a handful of condiments.

You'll want to spread it on EVERYTHING.

It's a condiment that doesn't hold back.

It's as luxurious rich and creamy as you'd expect.

Pour this French custard sauce on cakes, cobblers, and beyond.

The best partner for egg rolls.

Quick and creamy.

Ice cream, waffles, and even oatmeal.

It's endlessly versatile.

Easy and comforting.

The perfect drizzle for ice cream, cheesecake, and more.

It's bright, tangy, and full of herby kick.

Here is one of our favorite Asian dishes for a summer lunch or warm evening — fresh spring rolls (also called summer rolls). Heaps of fresh mint, shaved vegetables, and light rice noodles wrapped up all ready for a spicy, tangy peanut sauce. They are healthy and light, and so refreshing in the heat of summer. Want to see how to make these? They’re super easy. This recipe uses a mixture of red pepper, radishes, cucumber, and carrot, which we threw in the rolls with cellophane noodles.

Mushrooms all day long.

Just listen to the word. Chimichurri. It dances right out of your mouth. I bet you’ve already paused and said it in your head more times than I’ve written it. If the word alone feels this good in the mouth, wait until you taste it. Chimichurri is an Argentine sauce that is traditionally used on meats, although I can think of about fifty other ways to eat it. It’s used in Argentina the way we use ketchup in the U.S.

Last minute check: Do you know how to make gravy? Some people swear that gravy is the most essential part of Thanksgiving dinner, touching everything on your plate with its savory essence of turkey. No pressure, right? Here are a few tips and links for making your own gravy — it’s really not that hard.First of all, what is gravy? It isn’t some mysterious liquid essence of turkey (as we used to think it was, since we were never involved with this part of the Thanksgiving meal.

OK, everybody… Please note that the title says healthIER. We’re not promising low-fat, cholesterol-free chicken wings here. But some of us are big basketball fans (of the Tar Heels, specifically) and, for better or worse, enjoy a few bar food specialties over Final Four weekend. Click below for our lightened-up (organic!) hot wings with blue cheese dip.We admit that fried chicken is not exactly the dish one should start messing with in an attempt to cut calories.

This is not tzatziki. We know it looks like tzatziki. And before you ask, “How many cucumber-yogurt sauces does one really need, anyway?” Let us explain the difference… When I was growing up, my grandmother used to serve sliced tomatoes from her garden topped with a creamy cucumber dressing. It was white, lumpy with fresh cucumbers, and full of mayonnaise, I’m sure. This is my attempt at recreating that dressing (without eating spoonfuls of mayonnaise).

Warning: Strong pesto opinions ahead.

Perfect over cheesecake, ice cream, and more.

Use these step-by-step instructions to make this beloved sauce.

Calling all garlic-lovers!

Take pesto up a notch with some cream for the dreamiest sauce ever.

This sweet and savory glaze for baked ham will become your go-to.

This Japanese citrus sauce is definitely worth keeping close by.

A classic French sauce that's worth knowing about.

Drizzle it over biscuits, fresh fruit, and more.

A homemade version of my favorite sushi condiment.