Sauces add depth and excitement to certain dishes. Whether used for dipping, dolloping or spreading, contemporary condiments offer a universe worth of culinary exploration beyond the realms of tired HP and bog-standard ketchup.
Empires have risen and fallen over the seemingly simple concept of sauce. Sean Evans of Hot Ones has built a business so beloved by A-listers that they’ll flock to his studio and reveal their deepest, darkest secrets – just to see what the fuss is over the hottest pepper sauce in the world known as ‘Da Bomb’.
Similarly, there is such a cult of adoration for McDonald’s limited run of Szechuan Sauce, which was launched in 1998 as part of a promotion for Disney’s Mulan, that the 25-year-old condiment sold on eBay for $14,000 back in 2017. Granted, this popularity was largely caused by its presence in the popular animated series Rick and Morty (2013), but the concept of a sauce which would normally set you back 10p at most being sold for thousands of dollars is quite spectacular.
On the flipside, the ‘Ketchup War’ of 2016 saw the people of Leamington, Ontario embroiled in a patriotic food fight over Heinz and French’s ketchup. Leamington had been home to a Heinz factory for more than 100 years, but after it closed up shop, French’s saw an opportunity to move in. To this day, residents fight over the Canadian-made French’s and the historically significant Heinz.
In some cultures, adding a hefty dollop of sugary ketchup to a meal lovingly and painstakingly crafted is an untold offence. Even for condiment enthusiasts, conforming to the sickly-sweet monopoly which Heinz has developed over the sauce space is blasphemous. When there’s such a vast array of unique, handcrafted bottles of chilli, plum and pepper sauces on offer, why settle for something average?
Indeed, when we talk about condiments, we tend to know which brands we like. From Hellman’s Mayonnaise to Grey Poupon’s Dijon, these condiments have built up a historically significant cult following for a reason. But what if we were to introduce a selection of satiating sauces lovingly crafted by small businesses across the globe?
That’s right, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best condiments and sauces lovingly crafted by small businesses with top-secret recipes. Keep scrolling to get saucy.
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Conbini Sunday Sauce
It’s difficult to sum up the bustling flavours of the Sunday Sauce from Combini in just a few sentences. Whether stirred into your homemade spaghetti Bolognese as the secret ingredient, dolloped over your avocado toast in the morning or mixed into a homemade salad dressing – this sauce brings an invaluable umami taste experience to the table. Sitting somewhere between teriyaki and harissa sauce, this condiment is sure to make your regular shopping list.
Buy now £9.95, Harvey Nichols
Concrete Jungle - Everything Bagel Peanut Butter
Sold on Delli is a range of nut butter from Two Nods. This Everything Bagel Nut Butter, however, has won our hearts. Filled with all of our favourite bagel flavours – including sesame and poppy seeds, garlic, onion and peanuts – we’re feeling all Pavlovian just thinking about it. Schmear it on your bagels in the morning or even incorporate it into a nutty noodle dish.
Buy now £7.50, Delli
Mama Yu’s Crispy Shallot Oil
Created by the founder of Depop, Delli is a remarkably similar online marketplace which instead deals exclusively in foods and condiments created by small businesses. It doesn’t get more on the nose than this. Our favourite on the site is the small batch-made Mama Yu’s Crispy Shallot Oil, which is frustratingly constantly sold out – so you’ll have to set reminders to get your hands on a jar of the stuff.
Buy now £5.95, Delli
Heartbeat Dill Pickle Serrano Hot Sauce
Are you a fan of those spicy, pre-packaged pickles that you can purchase from gas stations across the United States? Then you’ll go crazy over this dill pickle serrano hot sauce from Heartbeat. Sour and garlicky with the perfect level of spice, it’ll be a fan favourite at your next cook-out.
Buy now £8.99, Hot Headz
Poon's London Chilli Vinegar Dressing
Constantly stuck when it comes to deciding whether to drench your salad in delicious, tangy vinegar or invigorating chilli oil? Look no further than the award-winning Chilli Vinegar dressing by Poon’s London. A twist on the Shanghainese traditional ‘red oil’ wonton sauce, this spicy and sour dressing goes beautifully with steamed veg, salads, noodles and whatever else you fancy.
An artisan product with the price point to prove it, bring out this delectable dressing for special occasions or simply to treat yourself.
Buy now £9.99, Selfridges
Lao Gan Ma Crispy Chilli in Oil 210 g
This cult-favourite crispy chilli oil might already be sitting pretty on the top shelf of your fridge at home. If not, it’s time to head down to your local Asian supermarket and pick up a jar. Lao Gan Ma, which translates as ‘Old Godmother’ may not necessarily be considered a ‘small’ business in China, but it’s certainly an obscure condiment brand to the vast majority of UK residents. Credited with popularising Chinese chilli and crispy chilli oil in the Western world, it’s time to see what all the fuss is about. Pop a dollop atop your next ramen or homemade chicken and rice dish and experience a sumptuously spicy and umami flavour explosion.
Buy now £5.75, Amazon
Dishoom Chutney Gift Set
We've yet to meet leftovers that couldn't be elevated with a touch of spice. Go the gourmet route this Christmas by adding dollops of Dishoom's famous Indian chutneys to your Boxing Day turkey curry plate. This trio comprises sweet apple chundo and tamarind and date chutney - which pair well with a cheeseboard too, incidentally - and a jar of the chilli chutney which brings welcome fire to the darkest winter.
Buy now £26.00, Dishoom
Sauce Shop Honey Chipotle BBQ Sauce
Heaping truckloads of flavour onto basic ingredients like chicken and veg is London brand Sauce Shop’s Honey Chipotle BBQ Sauce. The small batch sauces are made with - no surprise here - honey and chipotle peppers, making it perfect on Mexican fajitas and ears of buttered sweetcorn as well as meats (including cold cuts). Try it as a glaze on chicken wings for addictive finger food at your next party.
Get Sauce Shop’s Original BBQ Sauce, £2.50 at Amazon or Sainsbury’s.
Buy now £3.50, Amazon
Brianna's Honey Mustard Dressing
We’re not exactly sure who Brianna is, but we’d deeply like to thank her for creating this deliciously addictive yet wonderfully healthy elixir. This honey-mustard dressing is smooth and thick, making it suitable for use as a dip as well as a dressing. The wonderful hint of sweetness afforded by the honey is tempered with the delicious, strong spiced flavour of Dijon mustard. No fridge is complete without a bottle.
Buy now £4.60, Ocado
Salsa Brava, 130g
Ever wondered how to make patatas bravas at home? The task has never been simpler than with a jar of Sala Brava. This Romanesco-esque sauce has been made with ground almonds for an unbeatably nutty flavour.
Buy now £3.60, Sous Chef
Seaweed Ketchup Sauce (Kelpchup)
If you fancy yourself a particularly tangy, salty ketchup which goes wonderfully with seafood and rich, slow-cooked meals, look no further than this Seaweed Ketchup produced by Pembrokeshire Beach Company. Featuring ‘organic sea spaghetti’, dulse seaweed, dried laver seaweed, bladderwrack puree and more – don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.
Buy now £5.99, Hot Headz
The Newt in Somerset Garden Piccalilli
For those who simply adore the golden oldies when it comes to condiments, look no further than this traditional Piccalilli from The Newt in Somerset. Made from pickled vegetables from the estate’s gardens, this would make a fantastic Christmas gift.
Buy now £4.95, The Newt in Somerset
Banana Ketchup Roni B's Kitchen | Filipino Style Banana Ketchup
This historically significant condiment was first created during World War II, when there was a global shortage of tomatoes which meant that the classic tabletop condiment couldn’t be produced. Filipinos instead turned to the humble banana as a substitute, and thus delicious, naturally sweet Banana Ketchup was born. We recommend giving Roni B’s a try.
Buy now £5.50
