Imagine walking into your favorite local tavern, the aroma of sizzling burgers in the air and a little dish of creamy, tangy magic on the side — that’s the glory of Pub Sauce. This homemade condiment is a zesty blend of pantry staples with just the right balance of smokiness, spice, and tang, perfect for drizzling, dunking, or slathering on just about anything. You won’t believe how simple it is to whip up this crowd-pleaser at home, and once you’ve tasted it, you’ll wonder how you ever ate fries without it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Pub Sauce recipe keeps it simple, relying on a handful of essentials you probably already have in your kitchen. Each ingredient adds a note of flavor — creamy, sharp, smoky, or bold — and together, they create a condiment dreams are made of.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base that gives Pub Sauce its signature smoothness, binding all the flavors together.
- Ketchup: Adds sweet tang and a pop of color that makes the sauce irresistibly dippable.
- Dijon mustard: Brings a gentle heat and deep savory undertone, elevating the sauce from basic to unforgettable.
- Worcestershire sauce: Introduces a layer of umami, lending a pub-style richness you can’t get with salt alone.
- Prepared horseradish: Delivers just enough bite to make each mouthful lively and memorable.
- Smoked paprika: Infuses a subtle smokiness, perfect for capturing those classic pub vibes at home.
- Garlic powder: Enhances the savory flavor, giving the sauce a crowd-pleasing depth.
- Onion powder: Provides a mellow sweetness and helps round out the sharp edges of the other ingredients.
- Apple cider vinegar: Balances richness with a tangy lift, making each taste more craveable.
- Hot sauce (optional): Crank up the heat if you like things spicy — or leave it out for a milder version.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for fine-tuning and bringing out all those delicious, layered flavors.
How to Make Pub Sauce
Step 1: Grab a Bowl and Whisk Ingredients
Start by getting a small mixing bowl and a sturdy whisk. Add mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce if you’re feeling bold. Whisk everything together until the mixture looks creamy, smooth, and uniformly colored — that’s your sign the flavors are happily mingling.
Step 2: Season to Taste
Give your Pub Sauce an initial taste, then sprinkle in salt and freshly ground black pepper. Go a little at a time — you want just enough to enhance all the tangy, savory notes without overpowering them. Whisk again, and sneak another taste to make sure it’s just right for you.
Step 3: Let the Flavors Meld
For the true “pub” experience, cover your sauce and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. This chill time gives all those bold flavors a chance to marry, resulting in a well-balanced, utterly scoopable creation.
How to Serve Pub Sauce
Garnishes
For a little extra color and flair, sprinkle your finished Pub Sauce with chopped chives or parsley before bringing it to the table. A crack of fresh black pepper or a dusting of smoked paprika can also make it look as fantastic as it tastes — no one can resist a beautifully garnished bowl of dip.
Side Dishes
The classic move is to serve Pub Sauce with crispy fries, onion rings, or hand-cut potato wedges. But don’t stop there — try dunking fried pickles, sweet potato fries, or even grilled veggies in this dreamy dip for a modern twist on pub favorites.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to get playful, serve Pub Sauce in tiny ramekins on a platter for dipping, drizzle it over burgers or sandwiches for a saucy surprise, or offer it as a side for chicken tenders and fish sticks at a party. You could even put out a variety of hot sauces and let people customize their own spice level for a fun DIY dip bar!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Good news: Pub Sauce is a breeze to make ahead! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will stay fresh and zippy for up to a week. Just give it a good stir before serving, as some ingredients may settle a bit over time.
Freezing
While Pub Sauce is at its best fresh, you can technically freeze it for up to one month. Just keep in mind that mayonnaise-based sauces can sometimes separate once thawed. If you do freeze it, thaw in the refrigerator and whisk vigorously to revive its creamy texture before serving.
Reheating
This sauce is designed to be served cold or at room temperature and doesn’t require reheating. If you’ve stored it in the fridge, simply give it a minute or two on the counter before serving, and whisk if needed to bring back its silky consistency.
FAQs
Can I make Pub Sauce vegan?
Absolutely! Just swap traditional mayonnaise for your favorite vegan mayo, and double-check that the Worcestershire sauce you use is vegan-friendly (there are lots of brands without anchovies). The rest of the ingredients are good to go.
What can I use instead of horseradish?
If horseradish isn’t your thing or you don’t have it on hand, a dab of wasabi or a pinch of extra mustard will bring in a similar hint of heat. You can also just leave it out and enjoy a milder sauce.
How spicy is this Pub Sauce?
This recipe delivers gentle warmth from the horseradish and smoked paprika, but the real heat only kicks in if you add hot sauce. It’s easy to customize: add more hot sauce for extra fire, or skip it for a kid-friendly dip.
Can I double or triple the recipe?
Definitely — Pub Sauce is made for sharing! Feel free to double or triple the ingredient amounts for big gatherings. Just make sure to mix in a large enough bowl and chill for the best flavor.
Is Pub Sauce gluten-free?
As written, this recipe is naturally gluten-free if you check that your Worcestershire sauce and other condiments are certified gluten-free. Always double-check product labels if gluten is a concern.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried making your own Pub Sauce at home, now’s the time to dive in and discover what you’ve been missing. With a handful of everyday ingredients, you can instantly elevate everything from burgers to veggies — so go on, treat yourself and your friends to a little dip of pure pub-worthy joy!
Print
Pub Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 3/4 cup
- Category: Condiment
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Pub Sauce is a versatile and flavorful condiment perfect for dipping fries, onion rings, burgers, and more. This homemade sauce combines creamy mayonnaise with tangy ketchup, zesty Dijon mustard, and a mix of spices to create a delicious accompaniment for your favorite snacks.
Ingredients
Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, vinegar, and hot sauce if using.
- Season: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix until smooth and fully combined.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- Great as a dipping sauce for fries, onion rings, burgers, or fried pickles.
- Adjust heat by increasing or omitting the hot sauce.
- Keeps in the fridge for up to 1 week in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
