Step Up Your Condiment Game With These Easy Recipes and Ideas

The next time you host or attend a cookout or party where your regular mayo, mustard, ketchup, relish might be needed, try adding one (or all) of these stepped-up versions to shake things up a bit.

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For the most part, these versions of your favorite condiments are so easy that you don’t even need a recipe.

The Backstory on These Condiment Recipes

My family used to go to a friend’s house every 4th of July.  It was a large gathering with usually about 100 people.  But it was a fun time on a cul-de-sac where my kids (when they were younger) could be safe; and, it was at the base of a mountain that fireworks get shot off of so we got a good free seat to the show.  At every 4th of July BBQ there the host family took care of the hot dogs and hamburgers and everyone else brought sides and desserts to share pot luck style. 

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Look at that girl. Isn’t she cute? She’s 16 now. And despite her serious look in the photo, she loved celebrating 4th of July with these people. It was one of the highlights of her year.

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One year, I just couldn’t decide what to bring.  Over the years I’ve made the red white and blue strawberries.  I’ve made a loaded baked potato salad.  I’ve made festive drinks and various things.  This particular year, I just couldn’t decide.  I couldn’t even narrow down my list to either dessert or side dish.  I was uninspired. It was killing me!  So what did I do?  Something I’m realizing I frequently do when I’m stressed about choices.  I went in an entirely different direction.  I broke the rules. I made a fancy condiment bar. 

Remember, this looked better on a checkered tablecloth, surrounded by other barbecue related items.

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I will say, I passed by the table several times and overhead people saying things like, “These condiments are da’ bomb” and “Have you tried that one yet?”  and “I have to get another hot dog just to try the ____”.  It was affirming. 😉   The hosts supplied all the regular condiments, these were just a side dress up for those foodies in attendance.  

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With these condiment recipes, I had an adventurous option for every main condiment offered.

Ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, barbecue sauce, and relish were all represented on the tray. Just in a new and different fashion.

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Here’s what I had on the tray:

–Spicy Ketchup (ketchup with Tapatio sauce) – This jar was almost empty at the end of the night. I think it was the favorite. It’s also the most mainstream so even unadventurous people were trying it.

–Peach Onion Relish (with peaches and onions from my garden!)  The recipe is on my canning and condiments Pinterest board. Also, I have a video where I make and can this on my YouTube channel.

–Raspberry Chipotle BBQ sauce – This one I have included a printable recipe card for below. It was inspired by another recipe on the above Pinterest board, but I adjusted the ingredients to our liking. It also goes great brushed onto grilled pork loin or pork chops. And I used raspberries from my yard!

–Maple Basil Dijon (Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and fresh basil – blendered- yes, I made that word up). It’s really just that simple. I don’t have measurements or a recipe card. Just start with a large amount of dijon, then add several leaves of basil and big dollop of syrup. Blend, taste, adjust. Repeat if necessary.

–Roasted Garlic Balsamic Aoli (roasted garlic, salt, balsamic vinegar, and mayo)- If you’ve never had roasted garlic you’re deprived. It’s delicious, sweet, and mellow. It’s also easy to make. Just google search a recipe. An aoli is just a flavored mayo so start with mayo, add roasted garlic (I used about 2 cups mayo and a whole bulb of roasted garlic). Then add salt and balsamic vinegar to taste. Again, start with smaller amounts, taste, adjust.

–Sriracha Mayo (Sriracha and mayonnaise) – This couldn’t be simpler. It takes a bit more Sriracha than you might think. I’m a spice wimp but I really used about a quarter to a third of a cup of Sriracha per 1 cup of mayo because the mayo tones down the heat quite a bit.

It was a hit!  Every jar was more than three quarters empty when I brought it home. 

I have a video on my YouTube channel where I make this tray so you can check that out if you like to see things in action.

Now that I have these down, I’m looking to add to my repertoire. Do you have any great (but easy) condiment recipes you like to have at grilling parties? Let me know in the comments!

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If you like this kind of post, you might be interested in these summer recipes:

Basil Marinated Mozzarella

Summer Recipe Round Up