Salsas & Dips Archives

Spicy Italian Tapenade

We’re not going to mess with a classic too much. This spicy Italian tapenade is made with the same delicious ingredients you’d find in a traditional recipe — olives, garlic, parsley, sundried tomatoes. But we’ve added a most certain kick of heat to this recipe. We …

Jalapeño Cheese Sauce

by Nicola Turner

Here’s another twist on a traditional cheese sauce recipe. Jalapeño cheese sauce is tame enough for the whole family and plenty versatile. Smother a steak with this sauce and you’ll be very, very happy. Drizzle it over vegetables, and you’ve added much needed life to …

Sticky Korean Pork Chops

by Nicola Turner

Korea has some of the most flavorsome food around, and these pork chops are no exception. They are so simple to prepare ahead of time. And when you’re ready, it’s only ten minutes to cook. They are perfect for an quick-prep evening meal after a long …

Korean Bibimbap Sauce

by Nicola Turner

Bibimbap is actually a traditional Korean rice dish – this sauce is what you would expect to have it served with. It’s delicious with all sorts of Korean food and Asian stir fries. That said, bibimbap sauce is actually quite versatile in the kitchen. This …

Spicy Coconut Salsa

by Nicola Turner

It may be simple but spicy coconut salsa should not be underestimated. It’s a true kick-ass condiment that delivers citrusy tang, tropical sweetness, and flavorful fire all in one. This Tanzanian recipe can be used to liven up any pork, chicken, or beef dish. And …

Hoisin Peanut Sauce

by Matt Bray

There are many ways to spice up peanut sauce, though a hoisin peanut sauce may be one of the most flavorful. This mix of traditional peanut sauce and hoisin sauce delivers a rich sweet earthiness. It’s a big enough flavor to work with both chicken …

Spicy Beer Cheese Dip

by Matt Bray

A creamy crowd favorite…

Party time and a good dip go hand in hand. And, if you’re like us, a spicy dip is always the best, especially when paired with cheese. This spicy beer cheese dip checks those boxes and more, with that malty beer twist added to the mix.

Jalapeño peppers take center stage as the heat source. Add more (or less) to your liking. If you prefer something even spicier, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper instead of black pepper. Don’t overdo it – this is a dip for the masses. You want it to remain family-friendly, and the cayenne will permeate the flavor of the entire dip adding a lot of intensity.

Cranberry Jalapeño Salsa

by Matt Bray

Tangy and sweet with fresh bite!

Your turkey may never be the same when you add a little cranberry jalapeño salsa to the table. It’s tangy and sweet with a fresh bite – a bold holiday appetizer or side. But don’t save it just for holidays! It’s perfect served atop turkey or chicken any time of year, providing lots of zing to the meal. And it’s so delicious simply poured over cream cheese and served with tortilla chips or crackers.

Jalapeño pepper is obviously the spicy star of this recipe, but you could go even bolder by using serrano peppers instead. They often deliver double the heat of the jalapeño, and sometimes more, with a comparable fresh and bright flavor that pairs well with cranberry’s sweet zing. And to get the most from the heat, allow this salsa to rest for an hour in the refrigerator for the best possible flavor. It takes a little time for that jalapeño spiciness to truly permeate throughout the salsa.

Jalapeño Arugula Aioli

by Matt Bray

A fresh tasting dip or spread…

When you first think arugula and jalapeño, you may not think there’s much in common. But there’s a lot more “there” there than you may think. Arugula, with its fresh peppery taste, pairs so well with the bright, grassy flavor of jalapeño peppers. It makes for one delicious aioli that’s perfect either as a dip or a spread. It’s particularly good on veggie sandwiches or go hearty and try it as a side to steak. It’s a fresh (and lightly fiery) sauce that’s pretty versatile even with its unique flavor.

Jalapeño peppers are typically hot enough for most. But, if you’re like us, you may want to increase the heat up a notch. We recommend adjusting the chili pepper used instead of increasing the amount of jalapeños used. Serrano peppers have a similar (though not exact) bright flavor, but they are a notch up on the pepper scale – often twice as hot (or even more) than a jalapeño.

Cajun Ranch Dipping Sauce

by Matt Bray

A simple Southern dipper…

Like mayonnaise or sour cream, ranch dressing is a perfect base for a mix of fiery spices. It makes it so simple to pull together something with a little Cajun flair. This Cajun ranch dipping sauce has three ingredients only, but the flavor is a whole heck of a lot more than what you’d expect. Cajun seasoning has a wide world of spices in it that give this dipping sauce its Southern charm.

We add additional fieriness to this simple recipe via a pinch of cayenne pepper. You can opt for it or drop it completely if you want a milder overall flavor. We like it even hotter than a pinch (think 1/4 teaspoon) if you’re one for extra-spicy in everything. Use this Cajun ranch dipping sauce with fried foods (it’s so yum with fried pickles – try it with this recipe). It’s also delicious with a simple vegetable platter – it beats the heck out of a plain ranch salad dressing dip with crudites.