Many budget-conscious people depend on rice and bean or other grain bowls for meals every week. In our family, we have a bowl meal at least once a week (and often twice!) because they are easy, filling, and inexpensive. Rice cooks effortlessly in the rice cooker, and beans can come from a can or be cooked from dried. Add a bit of protein and frozen or canned vegetables and you’ve got a complete meal. Sauces are one of the best ways to make these simple ingredients taste exciting and new. The recipes below are all super affordable and use basic pantry staples or low-cost ingredients. Each one can be drizzled, mixed, or spooned over your favorite bowl meals to instantly add flavor and variety. And if you’re not vegan, don’t skip these sauces because they are just as delicious on any kind of meal.
- Tzatziki: A refreshing Mediterranean cucumber-yogurt sauce made with grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and Greek yogurt. It would taste best as a spread on grilled meats or with flatbread and roasted vegetables. The ingredients are inexpensive and easy to find, making this a very budget-friendly sauce. From your own Moon and Hare Collective!
https://www.moonandharecollective.com/tzatziki-recipe/ - Butternut Squash Sauce: A creamy vegan, gluten-free sauce made from roasted butternut squash, almond milk, nutritional yeast, and lemon juice that mimics the flavor of cheese sauce. It would taste best poured over pasta or drizzled on roasted vegetables. The ingredients are simple and relatively affordable, especially when using seasonal squash.
https://wellnesstrickle.com/butternut-squash-sauce-recipe - Copycat Café Yumm Sauce: A vegan and gluten-free version of the restaurant favorite made with chickpeas, almond flour, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and herbs. It would taste best on grain or rice bowls, burritos, and salads. Most ingredients are pantry staples, making it cheaper than buying the original sauce.
https://www.servedfromscratch.com/copycat-cafe-yumm-sauce - Adobo Sauce: A smoky, rich sauce made with chili powder, vinegar, tomato paste, and spices to replicate chipotle peppers in adobo. It would taste best as a marinade for grilled vegetables or meats, or as a drizzle over tacos. The ingredients are mostly shelf-stable and inexpensive, especially if you already keep basic spices on hand.
https://cinnamonsnail.com/adobo-sauce-recipe - Vegan Yum Yum Sauce: A creamy, sweet, and tangy sauce made with vegan mayo, tomato paste, vinegar, and paprika for a mild kick. It would taste best drizzled over fried foods, roasted vegetables, or rice bowls. Vegan mayo may cost slightly more than standard, but the rest of the ingredients are affordable and easy to find, and you can use regular mayo!!
https://yumveganlunchideas.com/vegan-yum-yum-sauce-recipe/ - Avocado Crema: A smooth, tangy blend of avocado, Greek yogurt, and lime juice that’s perfect as a dip or sauce. It would taste best on tacos, burrito bowls, or as a dip for chips and vegetables. Avocados can vary in price, but the rest of the ingredients are inexpensive, keeping the overall cost low.
https://cupcakesandkalechips.com/avocado-crema - Lime Crema: A light, citrusy sauce made in minutes from yogurt, lime juice, and a few seasonings. It would taste best drizzled over Mexican or Southwestern dishes like tacos, nachos, or grilled vegetables. The ingredients are few and cheap, making this one of the most budget-friendly sauces on the list.
https://rightathome.blog/lime-crema/ - Easy Enchilada Sauce: A bold, smoky enchilada sauce that comes together quickly from pantry staples like tomato paste, broth, and spices. It would taste best over enchiladas, tacos, or as a simmer sauce for chicken or beans. Since it uses only common ingredients, it’s a very affordable homemade alternative to store-bought versions.
https://vibrantlygfree.com/enchilada-sauce/ - Sweet and Sour Sauce: A simple four-ingredient sauce that perfectly balances tangy and sweet flavors for dipping or glazing. It would taste best with chicken nuggets, spring rolls, or stir-fried vegetables. With such minimal ingredients, it’s one of the cheapest sauces you can make at home.
https://thebutteryfairytale.com/4-ingredient-sweet-and-sour-sauce - Peanut Sauce: A creamy, slightly spicy sauce made with peanut butter, rice vinegar, maple syrup, tamari, garlic, and ginger. It would taste best as a dip for fresh vegetables, tossed with noodles, or poured over grain bowls. All ingredients are affordable pantry staples, making this a thrifty and versatile recipe.
https://frommybowl.com/easy-peanut-sauce/
