What starts as a mixture of ketchup and mayonnaise quickly turns into this delicious Fry Sauce that you’ll want to put on everything!
The other night, I was looking for a condiment to have with my gluten-free Crispy Air-Fried Fish and French fries from the freezer. With my handy-dandy air fryer to the rescue, dinner was ready in less than 15 minutes. Scrounging in the fridge for something to jazz up my meal, I ended up mixing some mayo and ketchup together. As I dipped my food in it, I realized that I had inadvertently made the base for fry sauce!
I first had fry sauce in Idaho, where everywhere you go, an order of fries is accompanied by the creamy pink condiment. But the sauce I remember was more flavorful. It was time to do some experimenting!
I headed back to the kitchen, scraped the mayo and ketchup into a bowl, and doctored it up with the simple addition of smoked paprika (my new favorite seasoning) and pickle juice. Adding a sprinkle of salt and pepper, I realized I had concocted the most incredible dipping sauce for fries, fish, chicken tenders, veggies, and more. If you don’t have pickle juice, use apple cider vinegar instead.
Is Fry Sauce Healthy?
This fry sauce recipe is not the healthiest dip for your favorite foods, so enjoy it in moderation. Because of the mayo, it is higher in fat and calories than using ketchup alone. That said, you can reduce those numbers by using low-fat or fat-free mayonnaise. Opting for a vegan mayo may also help. It’s all about reading the labels and finding the right product for your needs. You can also eliminate or reduce added salt with a high-quality smoked paprika, which has become my favorite spice after I bought some in Spain. It adds a nice smoky flavor that I feel makes salt unnecessary in many dishes. You can find smoked paprika at grocery or specialty food stores, and it is worth adding to your spice rack.
Discover The Many Ways To Transform And Use This Fry Sauce
I like to make fry sauce and use it as a base for other recipes. For example, I add chopped hard-boiled eggs and use it as a salad dressing, a variation on the Thousand Island dressing my mom used to make. Pickle relish is another excellent addition, reminding you of a certain “special sauce” used by a famous burger chain. Try that on Turkey Burgers, Po’Boys, and chicken sandwiches. Adding a bit of mustard with the relish might recreate a copycat version of a sauce famous at another burger joint.
If you like heat in your meals, you can stir in a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. Onion rings beg for a sauce similar to the one an Australian steakhouse chain serves. A little brown mustard and creamy horseradish can help you recreate those flavors. Start with a cup of fry sauce and add a tablespoon of horseradish and mustard for that favorite taste sensation.
FAQs & Tips
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Prepared fry sauce will last up to 1 week when refrigerated in an airtight container. Give it a stir before using, in case the ingredients separate.
What Is Fry Sauce?
A regional condiment for French fries, its most pared-down version consists of a mixture of mayonnaise and ketchup, with more mayo than ketchup, giving it an orange/pink hue. Add pickle juice and smoked paprika, and it goes to the next level.
What Are The Most Common Additions To Fry Sauce?
The most common additions are pickle relish, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, horseradish, and onion powder.
Serving Suggestions
Anything called fry sauce naturally goes great with French fried potatoes. You can also use it as a dip for fresh veggies. Some other potato recipes to try with it are Fried Potato Cakes, Air-Fryer Fingerling Potatoes, or Baked Potato Chips. Try serving the sauce with some Beer-Battered Fish or Air-Fryer Chicken Tenders, too.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 teaspoons pickle juice or apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and ketchup until well blended.
- Stir in the pickle juice or apple cider vinegar and smoked paprika until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper until smooth.
- Store the sauce in the refrigerator, covered, until needed. Enjoy it cold with fries or your preferred appetizers.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Leave a Comment