Keto and low-carb sauces, dips and dressings

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A great sauce, dressing, or dip can turn a simple low carb meal into something seriously delicious. Here you’ll find our best keto and low carb condiments, from creamy sauces and homemade mayonnaise to pesto, flavored butter, dips, and dressings.

Making your own condiments also gives you more control over the ingredients. Many store-bought sauces and dressings contain added sugar or more carbs than you might expect, so check the label or make one of our easy recipes at home.

Not sure where to start? Browse our most popular recipes below, or explore sauces, dips and dressings, seasonings, flavored butter, and dairy-free options.

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Keto and low-carb dips and dressings

Keto and low-carb sauces

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Popular sauces, dips & condiments

Build a better low-carb sauce

A good sauce doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with a flavorful base, then add herbs, spices, acidity, heat, or other bold flavors. A great sauce can completely transform a simple piece of chicken, fish, meat, or roasted vegetables.

Choose a creamy base

Heavy whipping cream, sour cream, crème fraîche, cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and mayonnaise can all make great bases for creamy low-carb sauces, dips, and dressings.

Cream cheese is also an easy way to thicken a warm sauce without flour. Add a small amount and let the sauce simmer gently until it reaches the consistency you want.

Add acidity, herbs, and spices

A squeeze of lemon or lime, a splash of vinegar, fresh herbs, garlic, ginger, chili, mustard, or spices can add a lot of flavor without adding many carbs.

Fresh herbs such as parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, and chives can brighten creamy sauces and dressings, while spices and chili can completely change their character. Don’t forget salt, either. Proper seasoning can make all the other flavors come alive.

How to thicken a low-carb sauce

Traditional sauces are often thickened with flour or starch, but there are plenty of low-carb alternatives. Depending on the sauce, you can reduce it by simmering, add cream cheese, or use a small amount of xanthan gum.

For more options, see our guide to thickening keto and low-carb gravies, sauces, and soups.

sauces

Make your own mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is one of the easiest low-carb condiments to make at home and a great base for cold sauces, dips, and dressings. Add garlic, herbs, chili, mustard, lemon, lime, or spices to create completely different flavors from the same basic recipe.

Making it yourself also gives you complete control over the ingredients. If you buy mayonnaise instead, check the label for added sugar and other ingredients you may prefer to avoid.

If you don’t eat eggs, try our egg-free keto mayonnaise, made with aquafaba instead of eggs.

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Flavored mayonnaise recipes

Recipe collection
Turn a simple mayonnaise into a completely different sauce with herbs, garlic, chili, curry, or other seasonings. Explore our favorite keto and low-carb flavored mayonnaise recipes.

Quick aioli

Quick aioli

Recipe
If you’re a garlic fan, then aioli is most likely your go-to dip already. In this quick cheater’s version, we’re using store-bought mayonnaise.

Try vegetable-based sauces

Not every sauce needs cream or mayonnaise. Vegetables, herbs, nuts, seeds, and oils can create flavorful low-carb sauces and dips with plenty of texture and freshness. Avocado makes a naturally creamy base, while roasted vegetables, fresh herbs, nuts, and seeds can add richness and depth of flavor without relying on dairy.

These sauces are also an easy way to add more variety, color, and flavor to simple meals.

Try kale pesto, sugar-free ketchup, guacamole, or chimichurri.

Romesco sauceRomesco sauce

Dairy-free sauces and dips

Frequently asked questions about keto and low-carb sauces

What sauces can I eat on a keto or low-carb diet?

Many homemade sauces can easily fit a keto or low-carb diet. Creamy sauces, mayonnaise-based dips, pesto, chimichurri, flavored butter, guacamole, and herb-based dressings are just a few options. What matters most is the complete ingredient list and the amount of carbohydrates per serving.

What should I look for in store-bought sauces and dressings?

Check the nutrition label and ingredient list. Ketchup, barbecue sauce, sweet chili sauce, salad dressings, and other condiments can contain significant amounts of added sugar and carbohydrates.

Products vary considerably, so compare brands rather than assuming that a particular type of sauce is always low carb.

How can I add flavor without adding many carbs?

Fresh and dried herbs, spices, garlic, ginger, chili, mustard, citrus juice and zest, and vinegar can add plenty of flavor without contributing many carbohydrates.

How can I thicken a sauce without flour?

Depending on the recipe, you can simmer the sauce to reduce the liquid, add cream cheese, or use a low-carb thickener such as xanthan gum. The best method depends on the type of sauce and the texture you’re trying to achieve.

Can I make keto sauces without dairy?

Absolutely. Mayonnaise, avocado, olive oil, coconut cream, nuts, seeds, herbs, and vegetables can all be used to make dairy-free sauces, dips, and dressings. Try pesto, guacamole, chimichurri, romesco, or one of our dairy-free recipes above.

Can I make sauces without eggs?

Yes. Many sauces are naturally egg-free, including pesto, chimichurri, guacamole, romesco, and many cream- or oil-based sauces. For a mayonnaise-style option, try our egg-free keto mayonnaise.
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