One evening, while hosting a relaxed game night with friends, I realized I’d forgotten to pick up dipping sauces for the snacks. In a pinch, I whipped up a homemade Blooming Onion Sauce from ingredients already in my kitchen. It turned out to be the night’s biggest hit, surprisingly flavorful and irresistibly creamy! Since then, it’s been my go-to quick fix for any casual gathering.
This recipe is perfect for beginner cooks. It’s incredibly simple, takes mere minutes to prepare, and offers a healthier, homemade alternative to store-bought sauces loaded with additives.

Why This Recipe is Special
Blooming Onion Sauce offers a delightful blend of tanginess, sweetness, and spice, perfectly complementing crispy snacks like onion rings, fries, and even fried shrimp. It’s ideal for those just starting their cooking journey, as the process is straightforward, quick, and uses common pantry ingredients.
Ingredients and Preparation
- Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of the sauce, providing smoothness and richness. Opt for reduced-fat mayonnaise if you prefer a lighter version.
- Ketchup: Adds sweetness and tang, balancing out the flavors.
- Prepared Horseradish Sauce: Gives the sauce a spicy kick without overpowering it. If unavailable, mustard can offer a similar sharpness.
- Granulated Garlic: Delivers savory depth and enhances the overall aroma.
- Smoked Paprika: Provides a smoky undertone and appealing reddish color.
- Ground Cumin: Offers earthiness and warmth, elevating the complexity of the sauce.
- Dried Oregano: Adds a subtle herbaceous flavor, rounding out the taste.
- Kosher Salt: Enhances and balances all other flavors.
- Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and complements the creamy texture.
Feel free to substitute ingredients as needed—use garlic powder instead of granulated garlic, or sweet paprika if smoked paprika isn’t on hand.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, and prepared horseradish sauce. This mixture creates the creamy base of your sauce.
Step 2: Add granulated garlic, smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper to the bowl. These spices bring depth and complexity to your sauce.
Step 3: Stir until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and the sauce achieves a smooth consistency. Ensure no lumps remain for the best dipping experience.
Step 4: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes. Allowing the sauce to rest enhances the flavors, making it even tastier.
Beginner Tips and Notes
- If your sauce tastes overly tangy, balance it by adding a pinch more mayonnaise or a tiny dash of sugar.
- Too spicy? Adding an extra tablespoon of ketchup will mellow out the heat.
- Use a whisk for easier blending if your sauce seems lumpy or uneven.
- Efficient prep tip: Measure out all ingredients first to streamline the mixing process.
- No airtight containers? Any covered bowl or jar will work fine for refrigeration.
Serving Suggestions
Blooming Onion Sauce pairs wonderfully with crispy sides like onion rings, french fries, tater tots, or fried shrimp. You can also drizzle it over grilled chicken sandwiches or burgers for added flavor.
Leftovers store well! Simply place the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge—it stays fresh and delicious for up to two weeks.
Ready to Dip In?
I invite you to try this easy sheet pan dinner favorite. This lemon herb chicken recipe companion sauce elevates quick and healthy meals effortlessly. Dive in, savor every bite, and don’t forget to share your experiences in the comments! I’m excited to hear how it turned out for you.
FAQ About Blooming Onion Sauce
Yes! It tastes even better if you make it a day or two ahead, as the flavors blend more thoroughly.
This sauce keeps well for up to two weeks when stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Absolutely! If you don’t have horseradish, spicy mustard or extra garlic and pepper can provide a similar kick.
It has mild heat due to horseradish and black pepper, but it’s generally very manageable. You can adjust spices to your liking.
It’s great with fries, tater tots, fried shrimp, chicken nuggets, or even spread onto burgers and sandwiches.
More Sauce Recipes
- Homemade Easy Enchilada Sauce
- Seafood Garlic Butter Dipping Sauce
- Peruvian Grilled Chicken with Creamy Green Sauce
- Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce

Easy Blooming Onion Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes (including refrigeration)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Blooming Onion Sauce is a creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy dipping sauce perfect for enhancing crispy appetizers and snacks. Quick to whip up, this sauce turns any meal into a tasty treat.
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish sauce
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, and prepared horseradish sauce thoroughly until smooth.
- Add Spices: Stir in granulated garlic, smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix well until evenly combined.
- Refrigerate Sauce: Cover and place the sauce in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling period helps enhance and blend the flavors effectively.
- Serve the Sauce: Remove the sauce from the fridge and stir gently before serving alongside your favorite crispy appetizers.
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the horseradish or ketchup amounts to control sweetness and heat. You can double the recipe for larger gatherings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 115kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg