9 Mediterranean Sauces You’ll Want to Put on Everything

Make these low effort Mediterranean sauce recipes. They will transform your weeknight meals into a flavor party. Trust me, you will want to put these on everything.

My Mediterranean Sauces for an Instant Flavor Boost

If there is one rule I follow in my Mediterranean kitchen, it is this: The sauce makes the meal.

We do not just use garlic, chilies, herbs, yogurt, and tahini as simple garnishes. We use them to build the entire foundation of flavor in a dish. Every sauce recipe below is rooted in a specific regional tradition that I love. But I have developed them to be endlessly adaptable for your modern pantry.

Maybe you want to boost a simple soup or your chicken chili. Maybe you want to dress up your fish dinner. Or maybe you want to make the ultimate chicken gyro. These sauces are designed to be spooned, swirled, and dolloped with abandon. Consider this your invitation to cook like we do: generously. Welcome to the flavor party.

1. Ladolemono Sauce

To call ladolemono a simple salad dressing would not really capture how versatile this sauce really is. It is a garlicky Greek sauce made with oregano, lemon, and olive oil. Just as often, it acts as a marinade or a flavor base for cooked dishes. Use it on our ever popular Greek sheet pan chicken, roasted branzino, or this easy shrimp broccoli skillet. Sure, put it on your salad. But do not stop there.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Makes: About ¾ cup

What You Need:

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

How to Make It:

1. In a small bowl or jar, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Whisk vigorously until the sauce is emulsified and slightly thickened. If using a jar, close the lid tightly and shake well.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
4. Use right away or store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Shake or whisk again before using.

Why everyone loves it: It is bright, tangy, and goes with almost everything.

Pro tip: Use it as a marinade for chicken or fish, or drizzle it over roasted vegetables.

2. Tahini Sauce

Nutty tahini is the base for one of the most versatile condiments in the Mediterranean kitchen. You make it by whisking the sesame paste with lemon juice and garlic. It is both rich and bright at the same time. It is ideal for drizzling over falafel or homemade chicken shawarma.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Makes: About 1 cup

What You Need:

• ½ cup tahini
• ½ cup water, plus more as needed
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ teaspoon salt

How to Make It:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and salt.
2. Whisk while slowly adding the water. The mixture will seize up at first and become thick, but keep whisking. It will smooth out into a creamy sauce.
3. Continue adding water until you reach your desired consistency. Some people like it thick for spreading, and some like it thin for drizzling.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Why everyone loves it: It is creamy, nutty, and the perfect finishing touch for so many dishes.

Pro tip: Use it on falafel, chicken shawarma, or roasted vegetables.

3. Romesco Sauce

This smoky, nutty Spanish sauce comes from the Catalonia region. It is made from roasted red peppers, tomatoes, nuts, garlic, and olive oil. It is thick and spoonable. It is packed with depth of flavor. It is excellent as a dip or a spread. It also works well as a sauce for grilled vegetables and even pizza.

Ready in: 15 minutes
Makes: About 1½ cups

What You Need:

• 1 cup roasted red peppers, drained
• ½ cup almonds or hazelnuts, toasted
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• Salt to taste

How to Make It:

1. In a food processor, combine the roasted red peppers, toasted nuts, tomato paste, garlic, vinegar, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes.
2. Pulse until the mixture is mostly smooth but still has a little texture.
3. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the sauce is thick and emulsified.
4. Add salt to taste.
5. Serve right away or store in the fridge for up to a week.

Why everyone loves it: It is smoky, nutty, and adds instant flavor to any dish.

Pro tip: Use it as a dip for grilled vegetables or as a sauce for pizza.

4. Mediterranean Garlic Sauce (Toum)

This bold Lebanese garlic sauce delivers big garlic flavor and a creamy, fluffy texture. Despite its intensity, it is surprisingly versatile. Spread it on sandwiches. Serve it with grilled lamb or Shish Tawook. Use it as a dip for oven fries. It is pure garlic magic.

Ready in: 15 minutes
Makes: About 1½ cups

What You Need:

• 1 cup garlic cloves, peeled (about 2 whole heads)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups neutral oil like avocado or grape seed oil
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice

How to Make It:

1. In a food processor, combine the garlic cloves and salt. Pulse until the garlic is finely minced.
2. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the oil, drop by drop at first. This is important for the emulsion to form.
3. Once the mixture starts to look thick and creamy, you can add the oil in a slow, steady stream.
4. Continue processing and slowly add the lemon juice.
5. The sauce should be thick, white, and fluffy, like a stiff mayonnaise.
6. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Why everyone loves it: It is creamy, garlicky, and absolutely addictive.

Pro tip: Spread it on sandwiches, serve it with grilled meats, or use it as a dip for fries.

5. Basil Pesto

Fragrant basil pesto brings together fresh herbs, garlic, nuts, extra virgin olive oil, and cheese into a sauce that tastes like summer. While it is famously paired with pasta or gnocchi, pesto is also amazing with chicken, chickpeas, and salmon. Swirl it into pasta salad or soup. Spread it on sandwiches. Its concentrated basil flavor makes it an instant upgrade for countless dishes.

Ready in: 10 minutes
Makes: About 1 cup

What You Need:

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup pine nuts or walnuts, toasted
• 2 garlic cloves
• ½ cup olive oil
• Salt to taste

How to Make It:

1. In a food processor, combine the basil, Parmesan cheese, nuts, and garlic. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
2. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto is smooth and well combined.
3. Add salt to taste. Remember that Parmesan is salty, so start with a small amount.
4. Use right away or store in the fridge with a thin layer of olive oil on top to keep it green.

Why everyone loves it: It is fresh, herby, and tastes like pure summer.

Pro tip: Pesto is amazing with chicken, chickpeas, and salmon, not just pasta.

6. Tzatziki Sauce

Cool, creamy, and bright with garlic and dill, tzatziki is a classic Greek yogurt based cucumber sauce. It is perfect over grilled chicken souvlaki or on a lamb burger. Swipe it onto wraps. Use it as a vegetable dip. Dollop it onto roasted potatoes. It is endlessly useful.

Ready in: 10 minutes, plus draining time
Makes: About 1½ cups

What You Need:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 cucumber, grated
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped (optional)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt to taste

How to Make It:

1. Grate the cucumber using a box grater. Place the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much water as you can. This step is important to keep your tzatziki from becoming watery.
2. In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, squeezed cucumber, minced garlic, olive oil, dill, mint, and lemon juice.
3. Stir everything together until it is well mixed.
4. Add salt to taste. Start with ¼ teaspoon and add more if you need it.
5. For the best flavor, cover the bowl and put it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Why everyone loves it: It is cool, creamy, fresh, and goes with almost everything.

Pro tip: Try its Persian cousin, Mast O’Khiar, with dried mint and lime.

7. Harissa Sauce

Harissa is a North African hot sauce made with dried chilies and spices. It can be fiery or mild depending on the type of chilies used. We love it paired with honey as a glaze for grilled chicken. It is the spicy base for our Mediterranean Bloody Mary. It adds a huge flavor boost to a simple whipped ricotta dip. And when you mix it with yogurt, it becomes the perfect spicy and creamy sauce for salmon bites.

Ready in: 20 minutes (if making from dried chilies)
Makes: About 1 cup

What You Need:

• 4 ounces dried red chilies, like guajillo or New Mexico
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for storing

How to Make It:

1. Remove the stems and seeds from the dried chilies. Place them in a bowl and cover with hot water. Let them soak for 20 minutes until soft.
2. Drain the chilies and place them in a food processor. Add the garlic, cumin, coriander, caraway seeds, salt, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
3. Blend until smooth, adding a tablespoon of water at a time if needed to help it blend.
4. Transfer the harissa to a jar and cover the top with a thin layer of olive oil to preserve it. Store in the fridge for up to a month.

Why everyone loves it: It is spicy, smoky, and adds a huge flavor boost to almost anything.

Pro tip: If you do not want to make it, you can always pick up a jar from our shop.

8. Creamy Feta Dressing

This creamy blend of feta, Greek yogurt, lemon, and olive oil makes a smooth, tangy sauce. It instantly elevates salads, roasted vegetables, and grilled fish. Think of it as a lighter, drizzle able version of our Whipped Feta Dip. It has endless versatility. One favorite application is on these Mediterranean Chicken Nachos.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Makes: About 1 cup

What You Need:

• 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 small garlic clove
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill or parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. In a food processor, combine the crumbled feta, Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and fresh herbs.
2. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
3. Taste and add a little black pepper if needed. You probably will not need salt because the feta is salty.
4. Use right away or store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Why everyone loves it: It is tangy, creamy, and so much better than bottled dressing.

Pro tip: Use it on salads, roasted vegetables, or Mediterranean Chicken Nachos.

9. Zhoug (Spicy Cilantro Sauce)

Bright, spicy, and aromatic, zhoug wakes up anything it touches. This cilantro and green chili sauce keeps well in the fridge, too. You can make a batch anytime you wind up with leftover cilantro on hand. Use it to top tender red snapper fillets or sweet and smoky grilled carrots. It is also the base of one of our favorite vegetarian party dips.

Ready in: 10 minutes
Makes: About 1 cup

What You Need:

• 2 cups fresh cilantro, thick stems removed
• 2 fresh green chilies, like jalapeño or serrano, seeded if you want less heat
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon cardamom
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup olive oil

How to Make It:

1. In a food processor, combine the cilantro, green chilies, garlic, cumin, cardamom, and salt.
2. Pulse until everything is finely chopped.
3. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the sauce is well combined and slightly smooth. It should still have a little texture.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
5. Store in a jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Why everyone loves it: It is bright, spicy, and adds an instant kick to any dish.

Pro tip: Use it to top fish, grilled carrots, or as a base for a party dip.

More Mediterranean Sauces to Love

If you loved these sauces, check out some of our other favorites.

• 5-Minute Chermoula Recipe: A Moroccan herb sauce that is bright and flavorful.
• Turkish Tarator Sauce (Creamy Walnut Spread): A rich and nutty sauce perfect for vegetables.
• 5 Ingredient Mint Yogurt Sauce: Cool and refreshing, perfect for lamb or grilled meats.
• Tonnato—The Italian Tuna and Caper Sauce: A unique and delicious sauce you will want on everything.

Browse all Mediterranean recipes. Visit Our Shop.