Onion Ring Sauce

Close up of Crispy onion ring dipped into bowl of sauce.

Course: Sauce

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 5

Servings: people

Calories: 132kcal

Author: Platings and Pairings

This creamy onion ring sauce combines creamy mayonnaise, tangy ketchup, sharp horseradish sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and paprika for a deeply flavorful condiment. Whipped up in just a minute, it delivers the perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and smoky-savory notes. It's the ultimate dipping sauce for onion rings, burgers, fries, and chicken tenders.

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Ingredients

½ cup mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon ketchup
1-2 Tablespoons horseradish sauce creamy style
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon cayenne optional
¼ teaspoon worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix until fully combined.
Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Storing

Store leftover onion ring sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Make sure to give the sauce a good stir before serving, as the creamy mayo may separate during storage.
I don’t recommend freezing this sauce as the freezing and thawing can alter the smooth and creamy consistency.

Tips and tricks

Always taste this onion ring sauce after mixing the ingredients together. You may find that you want to adjust the flavor by adding more salt and pepper, or other ingredients to suit your preference.
Adjust the consistency of the sauce to your liking. Stir in some water or milk for a thinner sauce, or mix in more mayo for a thicker sauce.
Chill the sauce for about an hour before serving. While this is optional, it helps the sauce to thicken and for the flavors to meld together and intensify.
The sauce will naturally thicken in the fridge. Give it a good stir and add in extra liquid, if needed.
Make a double batch of this onion ring sauce by simply doubling the ingredients called for in this recipe - great for serving to a crowd at a party or large social gathering.

Variations

Sweetener - I’ve used brown sugar in this onion sauce to balance the sharp and tangy notes. You could also stir in honey or maple syrup. That sweet and tangy flavor combo is perfect with crispy chicken tenders or chicken wings.
Level of heat - Omit the cayenne pepper for a milder version or add in more for a stronger kick of heat.
Vegan onion ring sauce - Use vegan mayonnaise for a vegan-friendly sauce.
Light onion ring sauce - Use reduced fat mayo for a lighter sauce that won’t be as rich, if you prefer. Plain Greek yogurt can also be used to replace the mayo for a tangy, protein-rich version that’s still lighter than mayo.
Smoky onion ring sauce - Use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika or chipotle powder to pair this sauce with grilled meats, seafood, and roasted vegetables.
Spices - For added depth of flavor, consider including onion powder or garlic (minced or powdered).

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