36 Condiments You Can Make at Home

Updated: Jul. 29, 2024

Everything's better with a tasty little sauce—or relish, jam or salsa. These homemade condiment recipes will have you skipping the dressing aisle for good.

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Spicy Chunky Salsa

Vinegar adds a refreshing tang to this sweet tomato salsa. It's wonderful as is, but for more heat, leave in some hot pepper seeds. —Donna Goutermont, Sequim, Washington
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White Sauce

For years, I’ve used this smooth white sauce for pasta to make many dishes. The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. —Lois Gelzer, Standish, Maine
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Burger Sauce

Creamy mayo, crisp pickles, and rich ketchup—this sauce combines all of the best burger condiments in one! This sweet and tangy sauce is perfect for dipping fries, too. —Kristyne McDougle Walter, Lorain, Ohio
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Parsley Pesto

Perfect for pasta, as a sauce for sandwiches or as a veggie dip, fresh and flavorful parsley pesto is a versatile summer sauce that combines fresh herbs, garlic and Parmesan cheese for a delightful taste.
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Homemade Peanut Butter

We eat a lot of peanut butter, so I decided to make my own. My homemade version is easier on my wallet, and I know what ingredients are in it. It's also a lot tastier! —Marge Austin, North Pole, Alaska
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Over-the-Top Cherry Jam

We live in Door County, an area known for its wonderful tart cherries. This beautiful, sweet jam makes lovely gifts. —Karen Haen, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
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Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

The thick, creamy blue cheese dressing does double duty at our house because I often serve it as a veggie dip. —Christy Freeman, Central Point, Oregon
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Apple Butter

Homemade apple butter could not be easier to make—it just takes a little patience! The result is a sweet, aromatic and versatile condiment you will want to spread on everything this fall.
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Lemon Curd

A classic lemon curd recipe belongs in every bakers repertoire. Five basic ingredients turn your favorite citrus into a creamy, sweet spread you can use in almost any recipe, from buttered toast to layered cake.
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Quick & Easy Honey Mustard

This fast, easy mustard with rice vinegar and honey has more flavor than any other honey mustard dressing I've ever tried. —Sharon Rehm, New Blaine, Arkansas

Wondering if your condiments really expire? Use this guide on how long condiments last to decide what can stay and what needs to go

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Homemade Spicy Hot Sauce

I created this spicy recipe one day using what I had available from my garden: hot peppers, carrots, onions and garlic. The carrots make this recipe stand out. —Carolyn Wheel, Fairfax, Vermont
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Pretty Peach Jam

This homemade jam has been a favorite in my family for as long as I can remember. It's a delicious medley of fruits, including peaches, cherries, pineapple and orange. —Theresa Beckman, Inwood, Iowa
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Gravy

Our Test Kitchen shows you how to make gravy from scratch for your tastiest Thanksgiving dinner yet.
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Mild Salsa Recipe for Canning

This mild salsa recipe for canning helps keep summer goodness stocked in the pantry year-round.
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Homemade Mayonnaise

Pssst! Did you know America’s top-selling condiment and go-to dressing for chicken, tuna and potato salad can be prepared with a handful of everyday pantry items? This mayonnaise recipe will be a new favorite. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Italian Herb Salad Dressing

This vinaigrette is a delicious dressing that I like to keep on hand for topping a variety of salad greens. —Dan Wright, San Jose, California
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Sweet & Spicy Barbecue Sauce

I've never cared that much for store bought barbecue sauce. I just like to make things myself from scratch including this spicy, deep red-brown sauce. You'll find it clings well when you slather it on grilled meat. —Helena Georgette Mann, Sacramento, California
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Spicy Bavarian Beer Mustard

Here's a gift that has bite! This spicy beer mustard is great with pretzels or as a condiment for bratwurst. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Classic Tartar Sauce

You'll never buy the jarred stuff again once you've tried this homemade tartar sauce recipe! —Michelle Stromko, Darlington, Maryland
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Low-Fat Tangy Tomato Dressing

This zesty blend is delicious over greens, pasta or fresh garden vegetables. I love that it's a healthier alternative to the oil-heavy versions sold in stores. —Sarah Eiden, Enid, Oklahoma
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Strawberry Jam

This step-by-step strawberry jam recipe takes away any of the mystery and confusion behind jam-making, leaving you with the most glorious ruby-red, sticky-sweet canned jam.
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Cranberry Orange Sauce

In about 20 minutes, with just a few ingredients, you can have the freshest cranberry orange sauce you’ve ever tasted. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
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Buttermilk Dressing

This restaurant-style buttermilk dressing is similar to a classic ranch and dresses up basic green salads, pasta salads and potato salads.
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Walnut Butter Spread

This healthy alternative spread will have you making more of your own homemade spreads in just minutes. It's so simple and you know exactly what's going into it. —Bryan Kennedy, Kaneohe, Hawaii
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Texas-Style BBQ Sauce

We love a Texas BBQ sauce with all the right moves: ketchup, mustard, lemon juice, chili powder, Worcestershire and brown sugar. —Sandy Klocinski, Summerville, South Carolina
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Cranberry Orange Relish

With its festive color and refreshing citrus-cranberry flavor, this lovely cranberry orange relish works well at holiday gatherings. It’s also convenient because you can make it in advance. —Clara Honeyager, North Prairie, Wisconsin
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Balsamic Herb Vinaigrette

Balsamic vinaigrette is a classic, versatile dressing. A variety of savory seasonings gives this recipe a tangy kick. It's the perfect complement to a bed of fresh greens. —Edgar Wright, Silver Spring, Maryland
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Cashew Butter

It's easy to make raw, vegan cashew butter from scratch. Plus, you can customize the flavor of homemade nut butter. Here's a step-by-step guide.
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Roasted Salsa

Make the most of fresh tomatoes with this roasted salsa recipe. It's so hearty, you might find yourself eating it right out of the bowl with a spoon!
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Spiced Maple Mustard

Have grill masters on your Christmas list? Consider giving them a special homemade mustard flavored with maple syrup, allspice and turmeric. Everyone just loves it. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
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Favorite Bread & Butter Pickles

I made these pickles while growing up and love them because you can eat them with just about anything. Now, both of my children love these pickles too. I think you'll enjoy them as much as we do! —Linda Weger, Robinson, Illinois
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Spicy Ketchup

When this homemade ketchup is bubbling on the stove, the aroma takes me back to childhood. One taste and I’m home again. —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, Hawaii
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Enchilada Sauce

This chunky, mild sauce is a great way to use up abundant veggies from the garden. It tastes great on Mexican dishes and scrambled eggs. —Rebecca Schwegman, St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin
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Zesty Salsa Verde

Last year was the first time I had ever grown tomatillos. They were so abundant that I had enough to eat fresh, give away and freeze for future gatherings. What I didn't expect was how well the salsa would freeze. I do like to add an extra zip by juicing a fresh lime into the salsa after it has thawed. —Kim Banick, Salem, Oregon
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Chocolate-Hazelnut Butter

Store varieties of chocolate-hazelnut butter just can’t compete with the homemade kind. Slather it on everything from toast and pretzels to banana chunks and shortbread cookies. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
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Giardiniera

Sweet and tangy, this Italian condiment is packed with peppers, cauliflower, carrots and other crisp-tender veggies. It’s perfect to offer alongside pickles or olives on a relish tray. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin