20+ Sauces for Turkey – Platings + Pairings

20+ Sauces for Turkey – Platings + Pairings

It’s time to spice up your Thanksgiving turkey! Whether you’re looking for something classic or creative, there are plenty of delicious sauces you can use to give your roasted turkey a flavorful twist.

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Wondering what sauces go well with turkey? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide of 20+ easy sauce recipes. From traditional sauces, to regional sauces, healthy sauces and more!

The BEST Sauces for Roast Turkey

These are some of my favorite sauces to serve with a Thanksgiving turkey:

Pick one of your favorites from the list below, add a couple side dishes, and you’re guaranteed an amazing dinner!

Don’t forget about the best wine pairings for turkey too.

Sauces to Elevate Your Thanksgiving Dinner

Prepared gravy in small gravy boat.Prepared gravy in small gravy boat.

Put your leftover drippings to use in this surprisingly simple Gravy recipe! It’s easy to make with either roasted turkey drippings or chicken broth as the base and is loaded with deeply rich and savory flavors. Enjoy it as the ultimate compliment to your weeknight dinner or make it a part of your Thanksgiving menu.

Gravy

Incredibly easy homemade cranberry sauce made with fresh or frozen cranberries. Much better than store-bought sauce!Get the RECIPE from Little Sunny Kitchen

Cranberry Sauce

Creamy tarragon sauce in white bowl with wooden spoon.Creamy tarragon sauce in white bowl with wooden spoon.

Tarragon Cream Sauce is a warm and luxurious condiment for chicken, fish, beef, and more. Quick and easy to make with only 8 ingredients, it instantly makes your everyday dinners feel gourmet!

Tarragon Cream Sauce

Honey mustard dipping sauce in small serving bowl next to honey wand.Honey mustard dipping sauce in small serving bowl next to honey wand.

This easy homemade Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce recipe is made with just 4-ingredients and the perfect dipping sauce for chicken tenders, pretzel bites, veggies and so much more! It will be ready in 5 minutes! All you need to make it are yellow mustard, dijon mustard, mayonnaise and honey. 

Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

Spoonful of creamy garlic sauce.Spoonful of creamy garlic sauce.

This 5-minute Creamy Garlic Sauce recipe is an easy go-to sauce you can serve with pasta, chicken, shrimp, and so much more. The flavors are rich and savory, and will keep you coming back for more!

Creamy Garlic Sauce

Overhead closeup of creamy mushroom sauce in skillet with spoon.Overhead closeup of creamy mushroom sauce in skillet with spoon.

This extra creamy, incredibly flavorful Mushroom Cream Sauce is easy to make and on the table in about 20 minutes. It’s a rich, umami-forward sauce that’s fantastic spooned over chicken, pork, steak, and even pasta!

Mushroom Cream Sauce

White bbq sauce in small jar with spoon.White bbq sauce in small jar with spoon.

This Alabama White BBQ Sauce is a rich and tangy twist on traditional barbecue sauce. Made with mayo, horseradish, and seasonings, the bold flavors pair perfectly with grilled meats and so much more!

White BBQ Sauce

Spoon stirring yellow herb sauce in small white bowlSpoon stirring yellow herb sauce in small white bowl

This lemon butter sauce, made with dry white wine and fresh dill, is the upgrade your turkey dish craves! Switch up your go-to weeknight dinner recipes with this 10-minute sauce or add it to your favorite veggies for a quick, healthy snack.

Lemon Butter Sauce

Onion gravy in large skillet with spoon.Onion gravy in large skillet with spoon.

Learn how to make gravy without drippings using this red wine onion gravy recipe! Luxurious and incredibly savory, it’s an easy homemade gravy made from simple, yet flavor-packed ingredients.

Onion Gravy

Lemon caper sauce on spoon over small bowl.Lemon caper sauce on spoon over small bowl.

This easy 6-ingredient lemon caper sauce has a delicious dimension of flavors and a velvety richness, making it the perfect match for fish, shrimp, chicken, and more! Ready in just 5 minutes, it’s a simple go-to sauce that always upgrades your weeknight dinner.

Lemon Caper Sauce

Fluffy toum in bowl with spoonFluffy toum in bowl with spoon

With only four ingredients, you can make your own whipped, creamy and delicious Toum, a traditional Lebanese garlic sauce, at home!

Toum

SIDE VIEW OF BOWL OF GREMOLATA NEXT TO LEMON AND GARLIC CLOVES.SIDE VIEW OF BOWL OF GREMOLATA NEXT TO LEMON AND GARLIC CLOVES.

Learn to make Gremolata Sauce, a zesty Italian condiment that always adds fresh, vibrant flavor to seafood, chicken, steak, veggies, and pasta. All you need is fresh parsley, lemon zest, and garlic. Bonus: customize it with more add-ins or use olive oil to transform it into a marinade!

Gremolata Sauce

Hand holding spoon dipped into jar of buffalo sauce.Hand holding spoon dipped into jar of buffalo sauce.

This Buffalo Wing Sauce recipe can be made mild, medium or hot to suit your taste preference. It’s the BEST Buffalo Sauce and made with only 4-ingredients!

Buffalo Wing Sauce

Pesto cream sauce in small white bowl topped with sprig of basil.Pesto cream sauce in small white bowl topped with sprig of basil.

Rich and herbaceous Pesto Cream Sauce in just 10 minutes! Make it with homemade or store-bought pesto for a quick and easy Italian-inspired dinner.

Pesto Cream Sauce

Spoonful of peri peri sauce.Spoonful of peri peri sauce.

Awaken your taste buds with Peri Peri Sauce, a classic South African condiment made with African bird’s eye chili peppers, garlic, and citrus. Its bold, fiery flavor perfectly complements chicken, shrimp, vegetables, and more!

Peri Peri Sauce

Hand holding jar of homemade bbq sauceHand holding jar of homemade bbq sauce
This Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe is so easy!  Made in just 15-minutes with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. This southern sauce is delicious on brisket, pork chops, chicken, and ribs.

Homemade BBQ Sauce

Jar of jerk sauce with spoon.Jar of jerk sauce with spoon.

This authentic jerk sauce recipe is jam-packed with spice and an incredible blend of sweet, savory, herbaceous, and warm flavors. Each taste will transport you to the beaches of the Caribbean!

Jerk Sauce

Hand holding small bowl of mojo sauce.Hand holding small bowl of mojo sauce.

This Green Mojo Sauce can be used for topping SO many different things. It’s loaded with fresh herbs, garlic and spicy peppers and it just perks up everything that it comes in contact with.

Green Mojo Sauce

Jar of chipotle crema with spoon on small plate next to lime wedges and small bowl of chipotles.Jar of chipotle crema with spoon on small plate next to lime wedges and small bowl of chipotles.

Add some smoke and spice to your favorite recipes with this Chipotle Crema. A Mexican-inspired sauce, this creamy mix is made with chipotles in adobo to give a boost to tacos, salads, and more!

Chipotle Crema

Poblano cream sauce in white bowl with serving spoon.Poblano cream sauce in white bowl with serving spoon.

If there’s one sauce to keep in your fridge at all times, it’s this Roasted Poblano Cream Sauce. Super creamy, bursting with smoky flavors, and perfect for topping on enchiladas, tacos, and eggs, you’ll be hooked after just one taste!

Poblano Cream Sauce

Romesco sauce in white bowl next to almonds and crusty bread.Romesco sauce in white bowl next to almonds and crusty bread.

Romesco Sauce is packed with flavor and easy to make with simple ingredients & your blender or food processor. This roasted red pepper based Spanish sauce is delicious with chicken, pork, seafood and roasted vegetables.

Romesco Sauce

Crema arranged on plate with limes and cilantro.Crema arranged on plate with limes and cilantro.

This quick and tangy Cilantro Lime Crema is ready in just 5 minutes. Better than sour cream, this Mexican condiment is flavored with fresh cilantro and lime juice to create a creamy and vibrant dressing, taco topping, or dipping sauce.

Cilantro Lime Crema

Red wine sauce in small serving container with spoon.Red wine sauce in small serving container with spoon.

Red wine jus is full of flavor and perfect drizzled on pork, beef, lamb or poultry. This easy sauce is rich, savory & complex.

Red Wine Jus

What to serve with turkey

Also, be sure to check out the best wine pairings for turkey.

Did you make any of these sauces for roasted turkey?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of sauces for turkey. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? For more great Platings & Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on PinterestTikTokFacebookYouTube and Twitter.

Turkey gravy in small cruet with spoon.Turkey gravy in small cruet with spoon.

  • If using drippings (optional): Pour the drippings from a roasted turkey into a liquid measuring cup or bowl. Let it sit for a few minutes, then use a spoon to skim the fat from the top, reserving the drippings on the bottom.

  • Add the drippings to a small saucepan and add the white wine or dry vermouth. Heat over medium-high heat until the mixture reduces by about half. Add the chicken broth, soy sauce, and seasonings and bring to a simmer.

  • Meanwhile, to a small mason jar or tupperware container, add the water and cornstarch and shake well to combine.

  • Add the cornstarch slurry to the simmering gravy mixture. Whisk to combine. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue whisking, until thickened. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

  • Remove from heat and enjoy.

Calories: 80kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 0.5g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 469mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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