Bowl of mayonnaise with ingredients on the side
FOOD NEWS
15 Condiments You Can Totally Make From Scratch
BY ANNA KOT
Jar of mayonnaise on a napkin
Mayonnaise
Whether you’re hoping to save money or cut out additives, making condiments from scratch is a great habit, and mayonnaise is one of the easiest places to begin.
Mayonnaise on a whisk
All you need is a whisk, egg yolks, mustard, salt, lemon juice, vinegar, oil, and sugar. You can also make it vegan by replacing the eggs with tofu, aquafaba, or soy milk.
Log of compound butter with garlic and thyme on the side
Compound Butter
Compound butter may sound fancy, but it’s easy and affordable to make. All you need is softened butter and your desired seasonings and aromatics.
Simply whip together room-temperature butter and your aromatics, then shape it into a log with plastic wrap and refrigerate it until it's solid.
Bowl of chili oil
Chili Oil And Chili Crisp
Chili oil is made simply by pouring hot oil over a mix of spices like chili flakes, Chinese five-spice powder, sesame seeds, and Sichuan peppers.
If you need added texture, you can make chili crisp by sautéing shallots in oil and mixing with toasted sesame seeds, dried alliums, red pepper flakes, paprika, and salt.
Molcajete of guacamole
Guacamole
Store-bought guacamole is an easy shortcut, but homemade guac lets you tailor it exactly to your liking whether spicier or heavier on the lime and cilantro.
Pit, peel, and mash your avocados, then add some lime juice and finely chopped garlic, onions, tomatoes, and cilantro before seasoning and mixing it all together.
Jar of chimichurri with a spoon
Chimichurri
South American barbecue isn’t the same without chimichurri sauce, and luckily, the tangy, spicy condiment is quick to make at home with oil and some herbs.
To make it easy on yourself, use your blender to combine oil, parsley, garlic, oregano, red wine vinegar, and chili pepper. Let it sit for a few hours, and it’s ready to serve.