HomeEasy CookingInspiration

From Easiest #3: Easy & Tasty Sauces Without Fuss: 3 Generic Sauce Recipes Anyone Can Make

Looking for ways to brighten up your meals without spending hours in the kitchen? These 3 easy, tasty sauces without seasoning overload are your new best friends. Whether you’re dressing up a salad, sandwich, wrap, or dipping roasted veggies, or condiment for steamed, baked food, crackers and etc... these sauces offer simple, flexible flavor boosts using what you already have at home. No cooking. No stress. Just real flavor. They’re adjustable to your taste and don’t require exact measuring — just your instincts and preferences.

Honey mustard and mayo based sauce/dressing/condiments are most generic, easy, tasty and basic, something you have to know, the yogurt based recipe are super healthy and tasty, but not as much as honey mustard and mayonnaise based, while the other 2 can make anything tasty; use the yogurt based in one of the following situations:
# when you value health benefit over taste
# when used for something already with some flavor such as chicken nuggets, grilled meat and etc., especially it can cut the grease of those food
# when you want to avoid strong flavor to mask freshness, such as salad with taste bud friendly vegetables/fruits (such as tomatos, avocados, cucumbers and etc., you can eat a bit without any seasoning)

I have a video on another super easy and even more generic sauces (applies to both western and asian food) if you are interested, here is the link to it: https://www.oneofmoms.org/ofm-video/video/0/4DT7jy-fXNo

1. Honey Mustard

A go-to classic that pairs well with just about anything — salads, sandwiches, roasted veggies, even wraps.

Ingredients:

  • 1 part mustard (Dijon is best; yellow works too)
  • 1 part honey
  • No need to measure — just eyeball equal amounts.

Optional Add-ins:

  • Up to 1/4 part mayonnaise for a creamier twist (it will dilute mustard flavor so your preference how much), will be tasty even too much mayo, but will not be called honey mustard anymore
  • Honey amount flexible, but make sure use enough to cover the raw and harshness of mustard
  • A dash (1/10 or 1/20 part) of lemon juice
  • A sprinkle of herbs, salt, or pepper for depth

Instructions:

  1. Mix equal parts mustard and honey until smooth.
  2. Taste and adjust: too spicy? Add more honey. Too sweet? Add more mustard.
  3. Add optional ingredients and whisk again.

Tip: Don’t overthink it — this sauce is super forgiving and endlessly customizable.

2. Mayonnaise-Based Sauce

Creamy, savory, and a great blank canvas for sandwiches, salads, and even wraps.

Ingredients:

  • 1 part mayonnaise (about 2.5 tbsp or 35g)
  • (optional but recomended strongly) 1/5–1/3 part mustard (to taste)
  • (optional but recomended strongly) A pinch of salt (about 1/16 tsp)
  • (optional but recomended stronly) A pinch of black pepper
  • (Optional): 1 tbsp lemon juice or sweet vinegar
  • (Optional): fresh or dried herbs

Instructions:

  1. Combine mayo with mustard and stir until blended.
  2. Add salt, pepper, lemon juice (if using), and herbs.
  3. Mix and taste — keep additions light for balanced flavor.

Tip: Do not use too much mustard unless you plan to sweeten it with honey or something. Avoid adding too much salt or acid — it’s easy to go overboard.

3. Yogurt-Based Sauce

Light and refreshing, this sauce is great with grains, veggies, proteins, or as a dip.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup plain yogurt (Greek if you like it thick)
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder or freshly grated garlic
  • 1/4 tsp dried herbs OR 1 tsp chopped fresh herbs (dill, parsley, chives, mint)
  • Optional: 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • Optional: 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • Optional: 1/4 tsp olive oil
  • Optional: more herbs (1–3 varieties total)

Instructions:

  1. Mix yogurt, salt, pepper, and garlic.
  2. Add your herbs of choice and stir well.
  3. Taste and adjust — more garlic and herbs bring the most flavor.

Tip: Be mindful of the salt-to-yogurt ratio — this makes or breaks the sauce. Fresh herbs bring a bright, fresh note.

Equipment Needed:

  • Small bowl
  • Spoon or whisk
  • Measuring spoons (optional — eyeballing is totally okay here!)

Storage & Tips:

  • All sauces can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5–7 days.
  • Stir before each use — some separation is normal.
  • Add chopped veggies (like cucumber, celery, onions, apples) to make them chunkier and more flavorful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these sauces dairy-free?
Absolutely. Use plant-based yogurt or vegan mayo.

What if I don’t have mustard?
For the mayo-based sauce, just skip it or substitute with a small amount of vinegar or lemon juice for tang.

How do I use these sauces?
As dressings, spreads, or dips — they’re super versatile.

How spicy are they?
None of these are spicy unless you want them to be. Add chili flakes or hot sauce if you like heat.

Final Words

Simple sauces like these are small changes that make big flavor differences. They’re easy to experiment with, quick to make, and guaranteed to keep your meals exciting — even on the busiest of days. So grab a bowl, trust your taste buds, and make something tasty today!

Recipes from other youtubers you can also try

* creamy ranch dressing, one of classic dressing/condiments
* you can also make pesto from scratch, but I picked this one because it is super easy, feel free to add some grated parmesan if you like