If you are the one who spends hours watching food creators online, chances are you would have come across the term "crack sauce". Despite its creative name, the sauce has nothing to do with its ingredients. The name is simply a fun way of describing a sauce that's extremely addictive due to its bold, creamy, tangy, and spicy flavour profile. Originally, it was very common in American home kitchens where barbecue culture was prevalent. Crack sauce has evolved as a favourite because it needs absolutely no cooking, can be made in minutes, and can be paired with almost any savoury dish. 

Whether you are grilling chicken, making burgers, tossing the roasted vegetables, or just want to have a dip for fries, this sauce has it all. The best part is that it is prepared using pantry staples, which makes it easy to customise as per your preference and spice tolerance. Once you make it, it's likely to be one of those refrigerator staples you will keep going to for your every meal.

How To Make Crack Sauce?

As creative as the name can be, making crack sauce just requires a handful of everyday ingredients to create a condiment that feels rich, perfectly balanced, and also full of flavour.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce (Sriracha or your favourite)
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives or parsley (optional)

Steps:

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  • In a bowl, add the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, honey, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, grated garlic, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. 
  • Whisk this until the mixture turns smooth and creamy. 
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning as per requirement. If you want some spice, add some extra hot sauce or a little more honey if you like a sweeter note. 
  • Mix in some chopped herbs if using. 
  • Transfer the prepared sauce to an airtight jar and keep it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before using so that the flavours blend and settle.

(Image credit: Pexels)

Best Ways To Use Crack Sauce

There are no certified best ways. Its biggest advantage is that it can be paired well with almost every savoury food.

  • Serve crack sauce alongside grilled chicken, steak, prawns, or roasted vegetables as a dipping sauce. 
  • Spread it inside burgers, sandwiches, and wraps in place of regular mayonnaise for an instant flavour. You can also use it as a drizzle over loaded fries, baked potatoes, tacos, bowl meals, or grilled corn. 
  • You can also use it as a salad dressing by thinning it a bit with a splash of milk or buttermilk. 
  • For noodle bowls, mix a spoonful of warm noodles with a little reserved cooking water to get a quick creamy sauce that covers every strand of noodle.

Also read: Grilled Chicken With Tarragon Sauce: Juicy Meat In Creamy Sauce

Easy Ways To Customise Crack Sauce

Everybody has their own preference, and it can be customised as per that. For a smokier version, you can increase the smoked paprika or add a pinch of chipotle powder. If you like the garlic taste, roast the garlic and then mix it into the sauce for a sweet, deep flavour. 

Greek yoghurt can be used in place of sour cream for a lighter version, while a pickle sauce or finely chopped jalapeños can add some extra texture and tang. Fresh dill works especially well if you are pairing the sauce with seafood, while chopped coriander on the sauce tastes nice when paired with tacos and grilled vegetables.

Storage Tips

Proper storage is essential to keep the sauce fresh and ready to use whenever you want it. Store the sauce in a clean, airtight glass jar or food-safe box and keep it in the refrigerator. As it has mayonnaise and dairy, it needs to be chilled at all times and should never be left at room temperature for extended periods. 

One batch of crack sauce remains fresh for about 5 to 7 days when refrigerated properly. While using it, always use a clean spoon so that there is no contamination, and also give it a quick stir before serving if you see any splits.