Dress up your proteins and veggies with these crave-worthy sauce ideas you can slather on just about anything!
What’s a meal without sauce? It’s the one staple that will either make or break your dish and can range from savory marinades to sweet and creamy mix-ins.
This expansive list features every sauce you can imagine. Best part is, you won’t need to worry about dairy or refined sugars often found in conventional versions. Instead, you’ll find many ways to pack bold flavors into your food with just a few spices, herbs, oils, and more.
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There’s even Italian blends like spicy Arrabbiata sauce, lamb ragu, creamy tomato sauce, and dairy-free Alfredo. All of which are perfect for tossing with your favorite veggie noodles.
We also didn’t forget about dessert, either. You’ll find salted caramel sauce, healthy hot fudge, and even a vanilla cashew sauce perfect for drizzling atop baked goods. This list is plentiful, so whip up a saucy meal tonight.
Simple Dairy-Free Pesto
This vibrant, green pesto packs an herbaceous punch with any dish you serve it on.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Simple Dairy-Free Pesto
Easy, Refined Sugar-Free Marinara Sauce
Store-bought marinara sauce is notorious for hidden sugars. Opt for this sugar-free homemade version instead.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Easy, Refined Sugar-Free Marinara Sauce
Paleo Honey Garlic Sauce
If you don’t have any fermented honey garlic on hand, simply combine some garlic with raw honey to make this simple sauce.
Recipe: The Primal Desire | Paleo Honey Garlic Sauce
Lamb Ragu
This hearty lamb ragu is practically a meal in and of itself, but serve it atop some cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a complete dinner.
Recipe: PaleoPlan | Lamb Ragu
Healthy, Easy Caramel Sauce
Don’t forget about sauce when it comes time for dessert! This homemade Paleo caramel sauce is delicious drizzled over coconut milk ice cream.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Healthy, Easy Caramel Sauce
Easy Ranch Dressing
This versatile Paleo ranch can be used as a sauce, dressing, or dip. The possibilities are endless!
Recipe: Paleo Running Momma | Easy Ranch Dressing
Paleo Peach Barbeque Sauce
The fresh peaches in this sauce do a lot more than adding natural sweetness; they also add thickness and texture to the sauce.
Recipe: Cook Eat Paleo | Paleo Peach Barbeque Sauce
Paleo Thai Marinade
Slather this vibrant, umami-filled marinade all over your favorite meat.
Recipe: PaleoPlan | Paleo Thai Marinade
Everyday Chicken Marinade
You’ll love how quickly this chicken marinade comes together, as well as the bold flavors it imparts on your meal.
Recipe: Physical Kitchness | Everyday Chicken Marinade
Paleo Cranberry Sauce
This sweet and tart sauce doesn’t have to just be served on Thanksgiving! Pour it over your favorite poultry for a little sweetness.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Paleo Cranberry Sauce
Paleo Whole30 Marinade
Pork, chicken, or beef: This orange-based marinade packs a flavorful punch to any cut of meat.
Recipe: Real Food with Jessica | Paleo Whole30 Marinade
Paleo Sweet and Spicy Dipping Sauce
This quick, sweet, and spicy sauce couldn’t be easier to put together. You probably have all the ingredients on hand already!
Recipe: Perchance to Cook | Paleo Sweet and Spicy Dipping Sauce
Paleo Tzatziki Sauce
This dairy-free tzatziki takes Mediterranean meals to the next level.
Recipe: The Real Food Dietitians | Paleo Tzatziki Sauce
Cilantro Garlic Marinade
This vibrant green marinade features flavorful notes from cilantro, fresh garlic, white wine vinegar, jalapeños, and more.
Recipe: What a Girl Eats | Cilantro Garlic Marinade
Dairy-Free Alfredo Sauce
This creamy Alfredo sauce is the perfect Paleo alternative to conventional cheese and dairy sauces.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Dairy-Free Alfredo Sauce
4-Ingredient Paleo Honey Mustard Sauce
With just four pantry staples, you can have honey mustard so creamy and sweet, you’ll be dying to dip everything in it.
Recipe: Our Paleo Life | 4-Ingredient Paleo Honey Mustard Sauce
Easy Tahini Sauce Dip
Use this tahini recipe as a sauce or dip. Either way, you’ll make your food infinitely more delicious.
Recipe: Chew Out Loud | Easy Tahini Sauce Dip
Avocado Garlic Sauce
If you haven’t thought to try avocado as a dairy-free sauce yet, you’re missing out. This simple avocado-garlic sauce only needs a few, bright, refreshing ingredients to get started.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Avocado Garlic Sauce
The Best Tahini Dressing
This tahini vinaigrette is perfect for salads, but also for constructing bowls or adding more flavor to steak or chicken.
Recipe: Physical Kitchness | The Best Tahini Dressing
Mojo Verde
You’ll be amazed at how quickly this sauce comes together with just four ingredients: cilantro, olive oil, garlic, and salt.
Recipe: PaleoPlan | Mojo Verde
15-Minute Paleo Keto Barbeque Sauce
This easy barbeque sauce is keto-friendly, too! Skip the optional xylitol add-in, and use a natural, Paleo-friendly sweetener if you want to add extra sweetness.
Recipe: Gnom Gnom | 15-Minute Paleo Keto Barbeque Sauce
Homemade Eggplant Bolognese
Sub out the ground beef in this Bolognese sauce, complete with hearty chunks of eggplant.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Homemade Eggplant Bolognese
Paleo Thai Peanut Sauce
While this sauce channels the classic flavor of Thai peanut sauce, there are no peanuts to be found. In fact, you can make this sauce nut-free by opting for sunbutter!
Recipe: I Heart Umami | Paleo Thai Peanut Sauce
Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
You’d be surprised how much flavor and texture pumpkin purée adds to pasta sauce.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
Orange Turmeric Tahini Sauce
This flavorful, anti-inflammatory sauce is ideal drizzled over a bowl with your favorite veggies and meats.
Recipe: The Roasted Root | Orange Turmeric Tahini Sauce
The Essential Paleo Steak Marinade
This marinade is easy-peasy, but so delicious with any hunk of steak you can imagine.
Recipe: Real Simple Good | The Essential Paleo Steak Marinade
Whole30 Paleo Gravy
This gravy is super simple to put together with some chicken stock, tapioca starch, arrowroot starch, cooking fat, coconut aminos, and poultry seasoning.
Recipe: 40 Aprons | Whole30 Paleo Gravy
Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce
This creamy, bacon-flavored butternut squash sauce is 100 percent dairy-free.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce
Mango Curry Barbeque Sauce
You may love barbeque sauce, but we’re willing to bet you’ve never whipped up a crazy flavorful, mango curry version before.
Recipe: Food Faith Fitness | Mango Curry Barbeque Sauce
Savory Balsamic Steak Sauce
This slightly sweet, slightly tangy, slightly spicy steak sauce tastes just as good as the store-bought stuff.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Savory Balsamic Steak Sauce
5-Minute Paleo Enchilada Sauce
While some enchilada sauces compile dozens of ingredients, this Paleo-friendly recipe is minimalist in its approach.
Recipe: Dr. Axe | 5-Minute Paleo Enchilada Sauce
Paprika Lemon Chicken Marinade
The bold spice of paprika blends well with zesty lemon and fresh garlic in this marinade.
Recipe: Paleo Leap | Paprika Lemon Chicken Marinade
Oregano Garlic Cream Sauce
This creamy sauce packs a healthy dose of veggies, with cauliflower serving as one of the primary ingredients.
Recipe: Unbound Wellness | Oregano Garlic Cream Sauce
Homemade Salsa Verde
This spicy green salsa is delicious as a dip or as a sauce atop veggies or meat.
Recipe: My Natural Family | Homemade Salsa Verde
Easy 3-Minute Pizza Sauce
Not sure what to top your cauliflower pizza crust with? We’re thinking this 3-minute pizza sauce right here.
Recipe: All the Nourishing Things | Easy 3-Minute Pizza Sauce
Tartar Sauce
This sauce combines homemade mayo with pickles, dill weed, and lemon juice – perfect for dipping Paleo-friendly fried fish!
Recipe: Primal Palate | Tartar Sauce
Basil Aioli
Part pesto, part mayo, this creamy basil aioli is uber-delicious when slathered on a Paleo burger or served alongside sweet potato fries.
Recipe: Living Loving Paleo | Basil Aioli
Paleo Barbeque Sauce with Medjool Dates
Did you know you can use naturally sweet dates to add sweetness and texture to your barbeque sauce?
Recipe: Fit Mitten Kitchen | Paleo Barbeque Sauce with Medjool Dates
Salted Caramel Sauce
This caramel sauce only has a handful of ingredients, but salt really sets it apart.
Recipe: Downshiftology | Salted Caramel Sauce
Paleo Asian Garlic Ginger Sauce
This simple Asian garlic ginger sauce is perfect for tossing wings in.
Recipe: The Paleo Chef’s Table | Paleo Asian Garlic Ginger Sauce
Garlic Cream Sauce
What should you serve this crazy simple garlic cream sauce with? We suggest adding it to everything.
Recipe: Paleo Scaleo | Garlic Cream Sauce
Paleo Avocado Sauce
Part dressing, part all-purpose sauce, this zesty avocado sauce can be drizzled all over taco bowls to great effect.
Recipe: Paleo Newbie | Paleo Avocado Sauce
Lifesaving Lemony Salad Dressing
This refreshing salad dressing could also make for a great chicken marinade!
Recipe: The Endless Meal | Lifesaving Lemony Salad Dressing
Bone Broth Gravy
Bone broth imparts a more intense flavor than typical stock or broth, making it perfect for rich, meaty gravy.
Recipe: Perchance to Cook | Bone Broth Gravy
Kale Pesto
Kale, basil, and parsley fill this pesto to the brim with greens.
Recipe: Paleo Gluten Free Eats | Kale Pesto
Paleo Coconut Oil Hollandaise Sauce
Paleo eggs benedict is made easy with this coconut oil-based hollandaise sauce.
Recipe: Against All Grain | Paleo Coconut Oil Hollandaise Sauce
3-Ingredient Chocolate Fudge Sauce
With some dates, nut milk, and unsweetened chocolate, you can have this uber-healthy sauce at your disposal in minutes.
Recipe: Top with Cinnamon | 3-Ingredient Chocolate Fudge Sauce
Paleo Vegan Vanilla Sauce
This creamy vanilla sauce is great drizzled over your favorite Paleo baked goods.
Recipe: TexanErin | Paleo Vegan Vanilla Sauce
2-Ingredient Paleo Date Sauce
This caramel-like date sauce only requires Medjool dates, water, and salt. That’s it.
Recipe: Paleo Gluten Free Eats | 2-Ingredient Paleo Date Sauce
5-Minute Cashew Cheese Sauce
Drizzle this cheese sauce atop veggies or mix with tender cauliflower for an approximation of mac ’n cheese.
Recipe: Paleo Gluten Free Eats | 5-Minute Cashew Cheese Sauce
Chipotle Aioli
An immersion blender makes this flavor-packed aioli a cinch to make.
Recipe: Living Loving Paleo | Chipotle Aioli
Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Nothing could be simpler than this tangy apple cider vinaigrette, which tastes amazing drizzled over fresh greens.
Recipe: A Clean Bake | Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Creamy Tomato Sauce
When you can’t decide whether to serve your veggie noodles in a cream sauce or a tomato sauce, reach for this creamy tomato sauce.
Recipe: Every Last Bite | Creamy Tomato Sauce
Paleo Espresso Caramel Sauce
This date-based caramel gets a caffeinated kick from some strongly-brewed espresso. It’s perfect for serving with fruit slices or atop a bowl of Paleo oatmeal.
Recipe: Physical Kitchness | Paleo Espresso Caramel Sauce
Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Dressing
This vibrant yellow dressing is spiced with turmeric and ginger for a warm flavor that goes great with everything from salad to meat.
Recipe: Unbound Wellness | Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Dressing
Cheater’s Salsa
Did you know you can make salsa with canned tomatoes? No need to fire-roast them yourself.
Recipe: An Edible Mosaic | Cheater’s Salsa
AIP Coconut Curry Sauce
This well-spiced coconut curry sauce is a delicious way to spice up chicken, beef, fish, pork – even eggs!
Recipe: The Primal Desire | AIP Coconut Curry Sauce
Stir-Fry Sauce
This all-purpose stir-fry sauce works well in virtually every Asian-inspired stir-fry dish you can imagine.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Stir-Fry Sauce
Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette
This zesty lemon Dijon vinaigrette makes for a bright note in salads and bowls.
Recipe: Foolproof Living | Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette
Arugula Pesto
Arugula adds a distinct peppery flavor to this pesto, which gets its texture from slivered almonds.
Recipe: Nom Nom Paleo | Arugula Pesto
Chimichurri Sauce
This vibrant green chimichurri boasts parsley, cilantro, garlic, and more.
Recipe: Tastes Lovely | Chimichurri Sauce
Fresh Tomato Salsa
This quick salsa is the perfect way to top off some freshly grilled chicken.
Recipe: Cook Eat Paleo | Fresh Tomato Salsa
Easy Green Goddess Dressing
This green goddess sauce truly lives up to its name: It boasts basil, cilantro, green onions, and more.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Easy Green Goddess Dressing
Lemon Aioli Sauce
You can drizzle this aioli on your favorite salad or slather it across Paleo buns for the perfect Paleo burger.
Recipe: Paleo Newbie | Lemon Aioli Sauce
Arrabbiata Meat Sauce
This spicy meat sauce is just what your bowl of zoodles calls for.
Recipe: Perchance to Cook | Arrabbiata Meat Sauce
Whole30 Mole Sauce
Keeping Paleo doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. This mole is every bit a labor of love and packed with traditional flavors.
Recipe: Cooking with Curls | Whole30 Mole Sauce
Paleo Béchamel
At the root of all creamy, cheesy sauces (like mac ’n cheese) is a béchamel. This Paleo-friendly version means healthier, but-just-as-rich meals.
Recipe: Zesty Paleo | Paleo Béchamel
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