Five Easy Sauce Recipes to Spice up Your Superbowl

Superbowl snacks are the only reason to spend an entire day watching football. We all know the real winner is the best recipe.

So, if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to spice up your gameday snacks, these recipes are guaranteed to score the winning touchdown and keep you out of the kitchen.

A little pregame warm-up:

All sauces can be made in advance so you are free to enjoy your Superbowl Sunday without any of the scaries.

Dry measuring cups are for anything solid like spices, sugar, chopped vegetables, and other whole ingredients.

Liquid measuring cups are for sauces, vinegar, oil, jams, etc.

**For more on the difference between dry and liquid measuring cups, go here.**

You will need a knife and a cutting board for some recipes but not all.

No fancy cutting skills required. Everything to be chopped will be blended.

So don’t worry about your knife game. It’s time to focus on flavor.

Time for kickoff. Here are my top five sauce recipes that will add a major flavor kick to any watch party.

For the spice lovers

Easy Cajun Buffalo Sauce

What are wings without buffalo sauce? With a hint of sweetness and a kick of spice, this sauce is guaranteed to have your guests licking their fingers.

What you need:

Small saucepot

Whisk

Liquid measuring cup

Measuring spoons

Ingredients:

1 cup hot sauce (Texas Pete is a personal fave)

1 stick (½ cup) butter, cold and cubed

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon cajun seasoning

Directions:

In a small saucepot, add hot sauce and heat over medium.

When the sauce is hot, but not boiling, slowly add cubed butter in small batches*, whisking vigorously to emulsify (bring together) hot sauce and butter.

Once butter is fully emulsified, remove from heat.

Add honey, garlic powder, and cajun seasoning and whisk until well combined.

Allow to cool and store in an airtight container for up to 7 days in the fridge.

*by adding the butter in small butter and whisking thoroughly, this will ensure your sauce does not break or separate later on.

Simple Sriracha Aioli

If you still need a little more heat, this simple mayonnaise-based sauce comes together in seconds and hits all the right flavor notes. If you’re tired of the bottled ranch as a dipping sauce and want something fast and quick, this is it. It goes great with all your Superbowl staples like fresh veggies, chips, or wings.

What you need:

Small mixing bowl

Rubber spatula

Dry measuring cup

Liquid measuring cup

Ingredients:

2 cups mayonnaise

¾ cup sriracha sauce

Directions:

In a small mixing bowl, add mayonnaise and sriracha.

Using a spatula fold the two ingredients together until completely combined.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Team Sweet or Salty - Why Choose?

Soy Mango Glaze

For the spice-haters, this soy-mango glaze is the best of both worlds. Sweet and salty with just a hint of spice that won’t leave anyone polishing off the case of beer before halftime.

What you need:

Small saucepot

Whisk

Liquid measuring cup

Dry measuring cup

Measuring spoon

Hand blender or regular blender

Ingredients:

4 cups soy sauce

1 ½ cup sugar

¾ cup mango chutney*

1-2 tablespoon sambal oelek* (depending on how spicy you want it)

Directions:

In a small saucepot add soy sauce and heat over medium.

When the sauce is hot, but not boiling, add sugar and whisk together until dissolved.

Allow to cook for 5 minutes, watching carefully so the pot doesn’t boil over.

When the sauce has begun to reduce and thicken, turn off the heat and add mango chutney and sambal.

Remove from heat and using a hand blender, blend until smooth.

Allow to cool and store in an airtight container for up to 7 days in the fridge.

Commercial Break:

*Mango chutney is a delicious jam-like condiment, found in a jar available at most grocery stores or amazon like this one.

*Sambal oelek is an Indonesian chili paste made up of a mix of different types of chilis, as well as ginger, garlic, and typically shrimp paste (check the label if you have dietary restrictions). My favorite is this one:

But if you can’t find it, sriracha works perfectly as a substitute.

Mango Curry Sauce

With the remaining mango chutney, you don’t have to worry about it going to waste or wonder what to do with it. This mild dipping sauce brings together the earthy flavors from the curry powder and turmeric with a touch of sweetness from the mango chutney and just a pop of spice to make all the flavors shine. It also makes a delicious curry chicken salad.

What you need:

Food processor

Dry measuring cup

Measuring spoons

Spatula

Ingredients:

2 cups mayonnaise

¼ cup red onion, chopped

¼ cup mango chutney

1 tablespoon sambal oelek

¼ cup lemon juice

1 tablespoon salt

1 tablespoon curry powder

1 tablespoon turmeric

Directions:

In the food processor, add all ingredients to the base and puree until smooth.

Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days in the fridge.

Get Your Greens In

Poblano Chimmichurri

If you’re feeling a little guilty and need a little green in the sea of indulgence, this sauce is the perfect solution. Packed with fresh herbs, flavor, and a mild punch you can ditch the guilt and be proud you got your greens in.

What you need:

Food processor

Measuring spoons

Liquid measuring cup

Spatula

Ingredients:

¼ cup red wine vinegar

½ red onion, chopped

1 poblano pepper, chopped and seeds removed

2 tablespoons cumin powder

1 tablespoon coriander powder

½ bunch fresh cilantro

½ bunch fresh parsley

2 tablespoons salt

2 cups olive oil

Directions:

In a food processor, add vinegar, onion, pepper, cumin, and coriander. Puree until onion and pepper are smooth.

In batches pulse cilantro and parsley until well combined.

Once all ingredients are combined, season with salt, and with the food processor on, slowly drizzle the oil in through the top until combined.

Using the spatula, transfer to airtight container and store in the fridge for 2-3 days, the greens will oxidize and change the flavor.

So ditch the boring store-bought ranch and try something new this Superbowl. These recipes are designed to be group-friendly or for easy leftovers. Check back in and I’ll post how you can use these simple sauces in everyday recipes you can use long after the taste of the post-game victory has passed.

And don’t forget to show some sportsmanship and hit the little heart if you enjoy these recipes!