The 10 Best Sauces for Roasted Vegetables
Are you looking for a delicious way to add flavor to your roasted vegetables?
If so, sauces are the perfect option.
Roasted vegetables can be bland and boring without something flavorful to accompany them – that’s where sauces come in!
From pesto and balsamic glaze to teriyaki and chimichurri, there are plenty of amazing sauces that will turn your roasted veggies into an unforgettable meal.
In this article, I’m going to share 10 of the best sauces for roasted vegetables.
So if you’re ready to get creative with your cooking, let’s dive right in!
Read Also: What To Serve With Roasted Vegetables – 10 Best Side Dishes
Why Pair Roasted Veggies with A Sauce?
Roasted vegetables are a delicious and nutritious way to enjoy your favorite veggies.
But adding a sauce can take them to the next level!
Here are three reasons why pairing roasted vegetables with a sauce is such an excellent idea:
- Flavor – Sauces add flavor complexity and depth that you just don’t get from roasting alone. Whether it’s a creamy tahini-based dressing, tangy balsamic glaze, or spicy harissa paste, sauces can bring out the natural sweetness of roasted vegetables while also providing contrast in terms of texture and taste.
- Nutrition – Many sauces contain healthy fats like olive oil or nut butter which help increase absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K found in many roasted veggies. Additionally, some sauces may be fortified with additional nutrients like calcium or iron for added health benefits.
- Variety – Roasted veggies can become boring if eaten on their own day after day; however by changing up the type of sauce you use each time you make them they will always feel new and exciting! Plus there are so many different types of sauces available that you’ll never run out of ideas for how to dress up your roasted veggie dishes!
The 10 Best Sauces for Roasted Vegetables
Roasted vegetables are a delicious and healthy side dish, but they can be even better with the right sauce.
Here are ten sauces that will add flavor and texture to your roasted vegetables:
1. Mustard Garlic Sauce
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/458241330852281518/Mustard garlic sauce is a condiment made from mustard, garlic, and other ingredients.
It has a creamy texture and a tangy flavor that pairs well with roasted vegetables.
- To Make It: To make mustard garlic sauce, combine mayonnaise or Greek yogurt with Dijon mustard, minced garlic, lemon juice, honey or maple syrup (for sweetness), salt and pepper to taste. Blend all the ingredients together until smooth.
- Substitutions: If you don’t have any mayonnaise or Greek yogurt on hand, you can substitute plain yogurt for either one of them. You can also use prepared horseradish instead of Dijon mustard if desired.
- Variations: For an extra kick of flavor, try adding some chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or chives to the sauce. You can also add some grated Parmesan cheese for a cheesy twist on the classic recipe.
2. Tahini Lemon Sauce
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/214695107227657479/Tahini lemon sauce is a creamy, flavorful condiment made from tahini (sesame seed paste), lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil.
It’s often used as a dip or dressing for roasted vegetables, salads, falafel, and other Middle Eastern dishes.
- To Make It: To make tahini lemon sauce, simply combine 1/4 cup of tahini with 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice in a bowl. Add 1 minced garlic clove and season with salt to taste. Slowly whisk in 3-4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Substitutions: If you don’t have any tahini on hand, you can substitute it with almond butter or peanut butter for a slightly different flavor profile. You can also use lime juice instead of lemon juice if desired.
- Variations: For an even creamier texture add some Greek yogurt or mayonnaise to the mix; for added sweetness try adding some honey; for more heat add some chili flakes; for an Asian twist add some soy sauce; or for an Indian twist add some curry powder or garam masala spice blend!
3. Chimichurri
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/914862414443062/Chimichurri is a sauce or condiment made from finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, oregano, and vinegar.
It originated in Argentina and Uruguay but has become popular all over the world.
The name comes from the Basque word tximitxurri which means “a mixture of several things in no particular order.”
- To Make It: To make chimichurri, combine fresh parsley leaves with garlic cloves, red wine vinegar, olive oil, oregano leaves (dried or fresh), salt and pepper to taste. Blend all ingredients together until they form a thick paste. If desired you can also add other herbs such as cilantro or basil for extra flavor.
- Substitutions: If you don’t have access to parsley or oregano you can substitute them with other herbs like cilantro or basil. You can also use white wine vinegar instead of red wine vinegar if desired.
- Variations: There are many variations on the traditional recipe for chimichurri including adding different types of peppers such as jalapeno or habanero for an extra kick of heat; adding lemon juice for a tangy flavor; using different types of oils such as avocado oil; and adding nuts like walnuts or almonds for texture and crunch.
4. Chili Almond Dressing
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/386535580531734358/Chili almond dressing is a creamy, nutty, and slightly spicy condiment made with almonds, olive oil, garlic, chili flakes, and other seasonings.
It’s perfect for drizzling over roasted vegetables or salads to add flavor and texture.
- To Make It: To make chili almond dressing you will need almonds (preferably blanched), olive oil, garlic cloves, red pepper flakes (or any other type of chili pepper), salt and pepper to taste. Start by blending the almonds in a food processor until they are finely ground. Then add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.
- Substitutions: If you don’t have almonds on hand you can substitute them with cashews or walnuts instead. You can also use any type of chili pepper that you prefer such as jalapenos or habaneros if you want more heat.
- Variations: For an extra kick of flavor try adding some fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley to the mix before blending it all together. You can also experiment with different types of oils such as avocado oil or sesame oil for a unique flavor profile.
5. Spicy Aioli
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/14777505019503237/Aioli is a Mediterranean condiment made from garlic, olive oil, and egg yolks.
It’s similar to mayonnaise but has a more intense flavor due to the addition of garlic.
Spicy aioli is simply a variation on traditional aioli that adds some heat with the addition of chili peppers or hot sauce.
- To Make It: To make spicy aioli, start by combining two cloves of minced garlic with one egg yolk in a food processor or blender. Slowly add 1 cup of extra-virgin olive oil while blending until the mixture thickens and emulsifies into an opaque sauce. Finally, stir in 1 teaspoon of your favorite hot sauce or chili pepper flakes for added heat and flavor.
- Substitutions: If you don’t have any eggs on hand, you can substitute Greek yogurt for the egg yolk in this recipe. You can also use other types of oil such as avocado oil if desired.
- Variations: For even more flavor, try adding fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro to your spicy aioli before serving it over roasted vegetables or grilled meats. You can also experiment with different types of hot sauces such as sriracha or harissa for an extra kick!
6. Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/358458451603812070/Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing is a creamy, tangy dressing made with cilantro, lime juice, and mayonnaise.
It’s perfect for salads or as a dip for roasted vegetables.
- To Make It: To make the dressing, combine 1/2 cup of mayonnaise with 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lime juice in a bowl. Add 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro leaves and stir until combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Substitutions: If you don’t have access to fresh cilantro, you can substitute it with dried cilantro or parsley flakes. You can also use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise if you prefer a lighter version of the dressing.
- Variations: For an extra kick, add some minced garlic or jalapeno peppers to the dressing. You can also add some honey or agave nectar for sweetness if desired.
7. Maple Balsamic Dressing
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/484418503678519061/Maple balsamic dressing is a sweet and tangy vinaigrette made with maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and seasonings.
It’s a delicious way to dress up roasted vegetables or salads.
- To Make It: To make the dressing, combine 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar with 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup in a small bowl. Whisk in 1/2 cup of extra-virgin olive oil until combined. Add 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon each of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk until all ingredients are blended together. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Substitutions: If you don’t have balsamic vinegar on hand, you can substitute red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar instead. You can also use honey or agave nectar instead of maple syrup if desired.
- Variations: For an even more flavorful dressing, try adding fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary to the mix before whisking it together. You can also add some grated Parmesan cheese for an added depth of flavor and richness to the dressing.
8. Tomato Sauce
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/324259241932491300/Tomato sauce is a condiment made from tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and spices.
It is used as a base for many dishes such as pizza, pasta sauces, and stews.
- To Make It: To make tomato sauce at home, start by sautéing onions and garlic in olive oil until softened. Then add canned or fresh tomatoes (or both) to the pan along with some herbs like oregano or basil. Simmer the mixture for about 30 minutes until it has thickened and reduced slightly. Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
- Substitutions: If you don’t have any tomatoes on hand but still want to make a delicious sauce for your roasted vegetables, there are several alternatives that can be used instead of tomato sauce. These include pesto sauce (made from basil leaves), white wine cream sauce (made from butter and white wine), or even just plain olive oil with some freshly chopped herbs like parsley or oregano added in for flavor.
- Variations: There are countless variations of tomato sauces that can be made depending on what ingredients you have available in your kitchen. For example, if you’re looking for something more flavorful try adding some red pepper flakes or anchovies to the mix; if you’re looking for something more creamy try adding some heavy cream; if you’re looking for something more spicy try adding some chili powder; etc.
9. Spicy Salsa
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/533465518372713408/Spicy salsa is a type of condiment made from tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices.
It can be served as a dip for chips or vegetables, or used as a topping for tacos, burritos, and other Mexican dishes.
- To Make It: To make spicy salsa at home you will need the following ingredients: 4-5 ripe tomatoes (diced), 1/2 onion (diced), 2 jalapeno peppers (seeded and diced), 1/4 cup cilantro leaves (chopped), 2 cloves garlic (minced), juice of one lime, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix until combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Substitutions: If you don’t have jalapenos on hand you can substitute with any other type of chili pepper such as serrano or habanero peppers. You can also use canned diced tomatoes instead of fresh ones if desired.
- Variations: There are many variations to this recipe that you can try out depending on your taste preferences. For example, adding some chopped mangoes to the mix will give it a sweet flavor; adding some roasted corn kernels will add texture; adding some black beans will make it more filling; adding some avocado cubes will give it creaminess; adding some chopped bell peppers will add color; etc.
10. Pesto
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/121808364911153077/Pesto is a traditional Italian sauce made from fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese and salt.
It originated in the Liguria region of Italy and is commonly used as a condiment for pasta dishes.
- To Make It: To make pesto at home, you’ll need to gather all the ingredients listed above. Start by crushing the garlic with a mortar and pestle or food processor until it forms a paste. Then add the basil leaves and pine nuts to the mixture and blend until smooth. Finally, add in some extra-virgin olive oil while blending until you reach your desired consistency. Once everything is blended together, stir in grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt to taste.
- Substitutions: If you don’t have access to fresh basil or pine nuts, there are several substitutions that can be made for these ingredients without compromising flavor too much. For example, spinach can be substituted for basil leaves; walnuts or almonds can be used instead of pine nuts; and nutritional yeast can replace Parmesan cheese if you’re looking for a vegan option.
- Variations: There are many variations on classic pesto recipes that use different herbs such as cilantro or parsley instead of basil; different types of cheeses like feta or goat cheese; different types of oils like avocado oil; and even adding fruits like sun-dried tomatoes or olives into the mix!
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many delicious sauces that can be used to transform a simple roasted vegetable dish into something extraordinary.
The best sauces for roasted vegetables include garlic dijon sauce, tahini lemon sauce, herb sauce, creamy almond sauce, aioli, cilantro dressing, honey and balsamic syrup, tomato sauce, spicy salsa, and pesto.
Each of these sauces can be used to add unique flavors and textures to roasted vegetables, making them a great addition to any meal.
Whether you’re looking for something to spice up your weeknight meals or something to impress your guests, one of these sauces is sure to do the trick.
The 10 Best Sauces for Roasted Vegetables
Ingredients
- Mustard Garlic Sauce
- Tahini Lemon Sauce
- Chimichurri
- Chili Almond Dressing
- Spicy Aioli
- Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Maple Balsamic Dressing
- Tomato Sauce
- Spicy Salsa
- Pesto
Instructions
- Select your favorite recipe.
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prep a sauce recipe in 30 minutes or less!
Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.