Thanksgiving meals are all about flavor, comfort, and bringing everything together beautifully on the plate. Whether you’re dressing turkey, potatoes, roasted veggies, or building the ultimate leftover sandwich, the right sauce can turn any dish from simple to spectacular. Here are seven must-make sauces that add richness, zest, and gourmet flair to your feast.
1. Classic Turkey Gravy
A silky, savory gravy is a Thanksgiving essential — the finishing touch for turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 cups turkey drippings or chicken broth
- Salt & pepper to taste
How to Make
Melt butter, whisk in flour, and cook for 2 minutes until lightly golden. Add broth slowly while whisking. Simmer until thick and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Cranberry Orange Relish 🍊
Bright, tangy and fresh — a delicious contrast to rich holiday foods.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 whole orange (with peel)
- ½ cup sugar (adjust to taste)
How to Make
Blend everything until finely chopped. Chill for at least 1 hour for flavors to meld. Fantastic on turkey and leftover sandwiches.
3. Creamy Herb Garlic Sauce 🧄🌿
Soft, luscious and full of aromatic herbs — perfect over roasted vegetables and potatoes.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp mixed dried herbs (thyme, rosemary, oregano)
- Salt and pepper
How to Make
Sauté garlic in butter for 30 seconds. Add cream and herbs. Simmer 5–7 minutes until thickened.
4. Maple Mustard Glaze 🍁
A sweet-tangy glaze that caramelizes beautifully on roasted vegetables and ham.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
How to Make
Whisk together until smooth. Brush onto roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, ham, or turkey wings.
5. Brown Butter Sage Sauce 🍂
Nutty, rich, and deeply aromatic — a perfect match for pasta, gnocchi, squash, and stuffing.
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- A handful of fresh sage leaves
- Salt to taste
How to Make
Cook butter in a pan until golden brown and fragrant. Add sage and cook 1 minute until crispy. Season lightly with salt.
6. Roasted Garlic Aioli 🧄✨
Creamy and deeply flavorful — incredible with turkey sliders, fries, sandwiches, and roasted potatoes.
Ingredients
- 1 whole garlic bulb
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Salt & pepper
How to Make
Cut the top off a garlic bulb, drizzle with oil, wrap in foil, and roast at 190°C / 375°F for 40 minutes. Squeeze roasted garlic into a bowl and mash. Mix with mayo, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
7. Red Wine Reduction Sauce 🍷
A gourmet, restaurant-style sauce that elevates any dish — especially roasted meats and hearty vegetables.
Ingredients
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 cup beef or chicken broth
- 1 small shallot or onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- Thyme (optional)
- Salt & pepper
How to Make
Sauté shallots in butter. Add wine and broth. Stir in balsamic and thyme, then simmer until reduced by half and glossy. Whisk in final butter piece for shine and richness. Season to taste.
How to Use These Sauces
Use them to enhance:
- 🥔 Mashed potatoes
- 🥖 Dinner rolls & stuffing
- 🥬 Roasted vegetables
- 🍗 Turkey leftovers
- 🥪 Sandwiches & sliders
- 🍝 Pasta, squash & gnocchi
Final Thoughts
Sauces are the secret weapon of a memorable Thanksgiving meal. They bring balance, creativity, and comfort to the table — and with these seven in your lineup, every dish will shine.