French chefs built their entire culinary tradition around five "mother sauces" - béchamel, velouté, espagnole, hollandaise, and tomato. These became the foundation for hundreds of derivative sauces because early chefs understood a fundamental truth.
Sauce is what separates cooking from mere food preparation.
But modern kitchens need more than European classics. Today's cooking sauces must handle global flavors and dietary restrictions. The best contemporary cooking sauces combine traditional sauce-making principles with ingredients that actually reflect how we eat now.
With the right list of sauces, you can transform your kitchen capabilities exponentially. With ten carefully chosen sauces, you can handle Indian curries, Asian stir-fries, Mediterranean grilled vegetables and Middle Eastern mezze plates. Each sauce multiplies your recipe options while reducing prep time - the holy grail of home cooking.
Think about it practically: you've got fresh vegetables, quality proteins, perfectly cooked grains. But something's missing. That magic moment when everything comes together? That's your sauce working as the flavor foundation that makes everything else shine.
1. Garlic Chilli Sauce
The most essential sauce in any kitchen isn't fancy - it's fundamental. Our Garlic + Chilli sauce gives you the two flavors that appear in nearly every cuisine worldwide. When you have this, you're never more than one spoonful away from transforming any dish.
Drizzle it over roasted vegetables and watch them come alive. Toss it with noodles for instant comfort food. Use it as a marinade for chicken, and suddenly you've got something worth making again. The beauty lies in how garlic and chilli amplify everything else without overwhelming it.
Dishes you can make with these: Garlic chilli noodles, spicy roasted vegetables, chilli garlic fried rice, marinated grilled chicken, spicy pasta aglio e olio, chilli garlic prawns, roasted potato wedges, spicy stir-fried greens, garlic chilli tofu, quick spicy ramen upgrades.
Nutritional Profile: Per 15g serving - Energy: 20.10 Kcal, Protein: 0.35g, Total Fat: 0.69g, Saturated Fat: 0.04g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Carbohydrates: 3.11g, Total Sugar: 1.2g, Added Sugar: 0.72g, Sodium: 44.01mg. Plant-based, sustainably farmed, no refined sugar, no bad oils, 6 months shelf life.
Buy the Garlic + Chilli sauce here →
2. Vegan Mayo
Every kitchen needs a creamy base, and our Garlic Vegan Mayo delivers richness without the guilt. Made with nuts, seeds and extra virgin olive oil, this becomes the foundation for countless other sauces, dressings, and spreads.
Mix it with herbs for an instant aioli. Thin it with lemon juice for salad dressing. Spread it on sandwiches, dollop it on roasted vegetables, or use it as a dip for fresh vegetables. The garlic adds complexity while the nut base provides that satisfying richness your brain craves.
Dishes you can make with these: Creamy coleslaw, garlic mayo sandwiches, roasted vegetable bowls, potato salad, veggie wraps, garlic aioli dip, creamy pasta salad, grilled corn with garlic mayo, falafel bowls, loaded sweet potato fries.
Nutritional Profile: Per 15g serving - Energy: 50.90 Kcal, Protein: 0.92g, Total Fat: 4.43g, Saturated Fat: 0.87g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Carbohydrates: 1.85g, Total Sugar: 0.60g, Added Sugar: 0g, Sodium: 97.25mg. Plant-based, sustainably farmed, no refined sugar, no bad oils, gluten free, 6 months shelf life.
Buy the Garlic Vegan Mayo here →
3. Teriyaki Sauce
Sweet, savory, and incredibly versatile, our Teriyaki sauce handles both marinades and glazes with equal grace. The natural sweetness from jaggery creates that perfect caramelization without any refined sugar.
Brush it on salmon before baking, toss it with stir-fried vegetables, or use it as a glaze for grilled chicken. The sweetness balances out stronger flavors beautifully. It's your shortcut to restaurant-quality results.
Dishes you can make with these: Teriyaki glazed salmon, chicken teriyaki bowls, teriyaki stir-fried vegetables, glazed tofu steaks, teriyaki meatballs, grilled pineapple teriyaki, teriyaki fried rice, glazed eggplant, teriyaki burger sauce, sweet and savory noodles.
Nutritional Profile: Per 15g serving - Energy: 20.93 Kcal, Protein: 0.37g, Total Fat: 0.38g, Saturated Fat: 0.02g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Carbohydrates: 4g, Total Sugar: 2.13g, Added Sugar: 1.44g, Sodium: 145.49mg. Plant-based, sustainably farmed, no refined sugar, no bad oils.
4. Schezwan Sauce
When you need heat with complexity, our Schezwan sauce delivers layers of flavor that build on your palate. The multiple types of chilli create different levels of heat - some immediate, some that develop slowly.
Perfect for fried rice, noodle dishes, or any time you want to add serious depth to stir-fries. The complexity means you don't need multiple spice bottles - this one sauce handles the job of an entire spice rack. It's what makes the difference between good Chinese food and great Chinese food.
Dishes you can make with these: Schezwan fried rice, spicy Schezwan noodles, Schezwan cauliflower, spicy stir-fried vegetables, Schezwan paneer, chilli chicken, spicy dumplings, Schezwan dosa, fiery vegetable manchurian, spicy Indo-Chinese gravy.
Nutritional Profile: Per 15g serving - Energy: 36.40 Kcal, Protein: 0.46g, Total Fat: 2.49g, Saturated Fat: 2.04g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Carbohydrates: 3.03g, Total Sugar: 0.68g, Added Sugar: 0.70g, Sodium: 38.96mg. Plant-based, sustainably farmed, no refined sugar, no bad oils, 6 months shelf life.
5. Miso Sauce
For umami depth that makes everything taste more satisfying, our Miso + Ginger sauce combines Japanese tradition with modern convenience. The fermented miso brings incredible complexity while ginger adds warming spice.
Use it as a glaze for roasted vegetables, whisk it into salad dressings, or add it to soups for instant depth. The umami from miso triggers satisfaction signals in your brain, making even simple dishes feel complete. It's the secret to making healthy food taste indulgent.
Dishes you can make with these: Miso ginger glazed vegetables, umami salad dressing, miso ramen broth, ginger miso soup, glazed carrots, miso butter corn, ginger miso marinade for fish, roasted Brussels sprouts, miso ginger noodles, savory vegetable bowls.
Nutritional Profile: Per 15g serving - Energy: 42.54 Kcal, Protein: 0.31g, Total Fat: 3.84g, Saturated Fat: 1.98g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Carbohydrates: 1.67g, Total Sugar: 1.08g, Added Sugar: 0.35g, Sodium: 152.15mg. Plant-based, sustainably farmed, no refined sugar, no bad oils, 6 months shelf life.
Buy the Miso + Ginger sauce here →
6. Roasted Sesame Sauce
Nutty, rich, and deeply satisfying, our Roasted Sesame sauce brings that toasted flavor that makes everything taste more sophisticated. The roasted sesame provides richness without heaviness.
Perfect for Asian-inspired salads, drizzled over steamed vegetables, or tossed with cold noodles.
Dishes you can make with these: Sesame cucumber salad, cold sesame noodles, roasted sesame vegetables, tahini-style dressing, sesame crusted tofu, Asian slaw, sesame green beans, nutty vegetable bowls, sesame glazed carrots, creamy sesame soup.
Nutritional Profile: Per 15g serving - Energy: 50.30 Kcal, Protein: 0.62g, Total Fat: 5.01g, Saturated Fat: 0.46g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Carbohydrates: 0.67g, Total Sugar: 0.43g, Added Sugar: 0g, Sodium: 91.46mg. Plant-based, sustainably farmed, no refined sugar, no bad oils, no onion, no garlic, 6 months shelf life.
Buy the Roasted Sesame sauce here →
7. Vegan Mayo (Black Pepper)
Rich, peppery, and incredibly versatile, our Black Pepper Vegan Mayo elevates simple ingredients into something special. The black pepper adds warmth and complexity that builds slowly on your palate.
Spread it on wraps, mix it into potato salad, or use as a dipping sauce for roasted vegetables. The pepper's heat develops gradually, creating depth without overwhelming other flavors. It's luxury eating made simple.
Dishes you can make with these: Peppery potato salad, spiced veggie wraps, black pepper aioli, creamy pepper pasta, roasted vegetable dip, peppery sandwich spread, spiced coleslaw, pepper mayo burgers, creamy pepper dressing, loaded pepper fries.
Nutritional Profile: Per 15g serving - Energy: 64.62 Kcal, Protein: 1.23g, Total Fat: 5.08g, Saturated Fat: 0.99g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Carbohydrates: 3.51g, Total Sugar: 0.46g, Added Sugar: 0g, Sodium: 87.70mg. Plant-based, sustainably farmed, no refined sugar, no bad oils, gluten free, no onion, no garlic, 6 months shelf life.
Buy the Black Pepper Vegan Mayo here →
8. Thai Sauce
Fresh, bright, and incredibly aromatic, our Lime Leaf + Lemongrass sauce brings Thai-inspired flavors that wake up your taste buds. The citrusy notes make it perfect for lighter dishes where freshness needs to shine.
Drizzle over grilled fish, toss with summer salads, or use as a marinade for chicken. The lime leaf provides that distinctive restaurant flavor that's impossible to replicate without fresh lime leaf and fresh lemongrass. It's what transforms ordinary meals into something memorable.
Dishes you can make with these: Thai-style grilled fish, lime leaf chicken marinade, fresh summer salads, aromatic rice bowls, citrusy vegetable stir-fry, lime leaf curry base, Thai-inspired noodles, fragrant grilled vegetables, somtam salads, hot soups.
Nutritional Profile: Per 15g serving - Energy: 39.45 Kcal, Protein: 0.21g, Total Fat: 2.37g, Saturated Fat: 0.23g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Carbohydrates: 4.32g, Total Sugar: 1.02g, Added Sugar: 0.71g, Sodium: 94.46mg. Plant-based, sustainably farmed, no refined sugar, no bad oils, 6 months shelf life.
Buy the Lime Leaf + Lemongrass sauce here →
9. Kokum + Green Chilli Sauce
Tangy, spicy, and uniquely Indian, our Kokum + Green Chilli sauce brings authentic flavors you won't find anywhere else. Kokum provides that distinctive sour note that makes everything taste brighter and more complex.
Perfect for adding to curries, using as a marinade for fish, or mixing into yogurt for quick raita. The green chilli heat balances the kokum's tartness beautifully, creating layers of flavor that develop on your palate. It's authentic Indian cooking made accessible.
Dishes you can make with these: Kokum fish curry, spicy yogurt raita, tangy vegetable curry, coastal Indian rice bowls, kokum dal, spicy coconut chutney, marinated grilled fish, tangy stir-fried vegetables, kokum-based drinks, authentic South Indian gravies.
Nutritional Profile: Per 15g serving - Energy: 51.24 Kcal, Protein: 0.35g, Total Fat: 4.10g, Saturated Fat: 4.46g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Carbohydrates: 3.24g, Total Sugar: 1.98g, Added Sugar: 1.08g, Sodium: 145.65mg. Plant-based, sustainably farmed, no refined sugar, no bad oils, gluten free, 6 months shelf life.
Buy the Kokum + Green Chilli sauce here →
10. Chilli Oil
Bold, complex, and utterly addictive, our Five Chilli Oil brings incredible depth. Rich, spicy flavours that add fire to everything from dumplings to stir-fries. If you’re looking to add a kick to your meals, this oil brings bold, unforgettable heat to the table.
This is your finishing sauce - the final touch that transforms good dishes into great ones. Sprinkle it over noodles, add to stir-fries, or use as a finishing touch on soups. The complexity comes from 11 different ingredients working together to create something truly special.
Dishes you can make with these: Chilli crisp noodles, spicy topped ramen, crispy chilli oil dumplings, chilli crisp fried rice, spicy noodle soups, crispy topped salads, numbing spicy stir-fries.
Nutritional Profile: Per 15g serving - Energy: 103.55 Kcal, Protein: 0.47g, Total Fat: 9.52g, Saturated Fat: 0.84g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Carbohydrates: 4g, Total Sugar: 0.82g, Added Sugar: 0g, Sodium: 52.25mg. Plant-based, sustainably farmed, no refined sugar, no bad oils, gluten free.
Buy the Five Chilli Oil here →
How These Different Types of Sauces Actually Work
Most commercial cooking sauces fail because they rely on artificial flavors and cheap fillers. Our approach is different - we build flavor from whole ingredients that naturally provide complexity and satisfaction. When your sauce has real depth, you don't need much to transform a meal.
The best list of sauces for any kitchen includes options that can handle multiple roles. Each of these sauces works as a marinade, glaze, dip, or dressing. That versatility means you're always prepared, whether you're cooking for yourself or hosting friends.
With the right sauces in your kitchen, you're never more than 15 minutes away from a meal worth making again. That's the power of keeping quality cooking sauces on hand - they turn basic ingredients into something special.
Did you try any of these? Tag us on Instagram @boombayway with your creations! Let's see how you make your favorites, but healthy. Boombay style.
FAQ
What are the top 5 most used sauces?
The top 5 most used sauces, while varying slightly by region and preference, generally include ketchup, mayonnaise, soy sauce, mustard, and hot sauce.
Is Schezwan Chinese or Indian?
Schezwan sauce originated in China's Sichuan province, known for its bold use of chillies and numbing Sichuan peppercorns, but has been completely adapted and reimagined in Indian cuisine. Indian Schezwan sauce typically features a different chilli blend and often includes ingredients like garlic, ginger, and Indian spices that aren't traditional in Chinese versions.
Our Schezwan sauce represents the Indian interpretation - it's plant-based with no refined sugars, crafted specifically for the Indian palate while maintaining the complex heat that makes Schezwan sauce so addictive. Most Indian-Chinese restaurants serve this Indian-adapted version rather than traditional Sichuan sauce.
What are cooking sauces?
Cooking sauces are concentrated flavor enhancers designed to be integrated into dishes during or after cooking, rather than served on the side like condiments. The best cooking sauces work multiple ways - as marinades to tenderize and flavor proteins, as glazes that caramelize during cooking, as stir-fry bases that coat ingredients evenly, or as finishing touches that brighten completed dishes.
Quality cooking sauces should enhance ingredients without masking them, provide multiple flavor notes that develop as you eat, and offer enough versatility to work across different cooking methods. Our range focuses on whole food ingredients and global flavor profiles that work seamlessly in modern kitchens.
What is the most popular hot sauce?
While Sriracha and Tabasco dominate globally, the most popular hot sauces vary significantly by region and cuisine style. In Indian contexts, garlic chilli combinations and Schezwan-style sauces have become incredibly popular because they offer heat with complexity rather than just burning sensation.
Our Garlic + Chilli sauce represents this trend - it provides satisfying heat that builds gradually while adding layers of flavor from real garlic and multiple chilli varieties. The best hot sauces balance heat with flavor, so you can use them generously without overwhelming your food or your palate.
What are examples of spicy sauce?
Spicy sauces range from simple chilli-oil preparations to complex multi-ingredient blends that provide heat alongside other flavors. Examples include harissa from North Africa, gochujang from Korea, sambal from Southeast Asia, and various chilli crisps from China. In Indian cuisine, you'll find everything from simple green chilli chutneys to complex regional specialties like our Kokum + Green Chilli that combines tart kokum with fresh green chilli heat.
The best spicy sauces offer more than just heat - they provide complexity, depth, and flavors that enhance rather than mask your food, making each bite more interesting than the last.
