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seafood sauces to make

How to Make Your Own Homemade Seafood Sauce: Recipes and Tips

Shane Lowry
Making your own homemade seafood sauce can elevate the flavours of your favourite seafood dishes.

Whether you're looking for a marinara sauce to accompany pasta and seafood, a creamy mornay sauce for a rich and indulgent experience, or a tangy cocktail sauce for dipping prawns, we have you covered with these delicious recipes and helpful tips.

Let's start with a cocktail dipping sauce for prawns.
This is a delicious creamy cocktail sauce, mild yet tangy and can be created in no time at all.
You can add to a prawn or shrimp cocktail, or use as a dipping sauce with fish, crayfish/lobster, mussels, shrimps or oysters.
It's the perfect marriage of flavours.
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Additional Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Sauce Recipes: Unleashing the Flavours in Your Kitchen
Cuisine New Zealand
Servings 175 ml
Calories 620 kcal

Ingredients
  

Cocktail Dipping Sauce For Prawns Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup thickened/whipping cream
  • ¼ cup tomato sauce ketchup
  • cup Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp Tabasco sauce
  • 2 tsp Lemon Juice
  • salt and pepper

Instructions
 

Cocktail Dipping Sauce For Prawns Instructions:

  • Whip cream lightly.
  • Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl.
  • Fold whipped cream through the sauce gently.
  • Put in a bowl and refrigerate.

  • If you need to make this seafood cocktail sauce in advance, store the sauce in a jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days.
    Bring back to room temperature and use.

  • Cocktail Sauce Recipe VariationsBrandy
    Adding a tablespoon of brandy will really give it more depth.
    Substitute the lemon juice with 2 tsp Brandy.
  • Sweet N Sour
    Make a light sweet n sour sauce by adding ⅛ cup of orange marmalade.

Notes

Marinara sauce for seafood

This marinara sauce recipe is the perfect complement to seafood dishes.
Made with fresh ingredients and packed with flavour, it is sure to elevate your seafood dishes to the next level.
Follow this easy recipe to create a delicious marinara sauce for your seafood meals.

Marinara sauce for seafood ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 800 gram (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Marinara sauce for seafood instructions:

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to low.
  4. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
  5. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
  6. Serve immediately over your favorite seafood dishes.
Tips:
  1. For a richer flavour, use homemade tomato sauce instead of canned crushed tomatoes.
  2. If you want a spicier sauce, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
  3. You can also add other vegetables to your marinara sauce, such as mushrooms, capsicum/bell peppers, or zucchini.
  4. Marinara sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Creamy mornay sauce for seafood

Looking for the perfect creamy Mornay sauce recipe to complement your seafood dishes?
Look no further! This easy-to-follow recipe will guide you through creating a delicious Mornay sauce that adds a rich and flavourful touch to any seafood dish.
The creaminess of the sauce helps to create a luxurious and satisfying dish, while the cheese adds a sharp and nutty flavour.
Mornay sauce is also relatively light, so it doesn't overpower the flavour of the seafood.
Here is a good recipe for a creamy mornay sauce for seafood:

Creamy mornay sauce for seafood ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons plain (all-purpose) flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Creamy mornay sauce for seafood instructions:

  1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add the flour and whisk until well combined.
  3. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  4. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth.
  5. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the sauce has thickened.
  6. Remove from the heat and stir in the Gruyère cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until melted and smooth.
  7. Serve immediately over your favourite seafood dishes.
Tips:
  1. For a richer flavour, use heavy cream instead of milk.
  2. If you want a thinner sauce, add more milk.
  3. You can also add other herbs and spices to your mornay sauce, such as nutmeg, cayenne pepper, or paprika.
  4. Mornay sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Here are some ideas for how to use creamy mornay sauce with seafood:
  • Baked seafood mornay:
    This is a classic dish that is made by baking seafood in a mornay sauce.
    You can use any type of seafood, such as crayfish, lobster, prawn, shrimp, scallops, or crab.
  • Seafood mornay gratin:
    This is a similar dish to baked seafood mornay, but it is topped with bread crumbs and baked until golden brown.
  • Seafood mornay pasta:
    This is a quick and easy dish that is made by tossing cooked Pasta with seafood and mornay sauce.
  • Seafood mornay risotto:
    This is a luxurious dish that is made by cooking risotto rice with seafood and mornay sauce.

Tangy tartar sauce for seafood

Make your seafood dishes even more delicious with this tangy tartar sauce recipe. With a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a homemade sauce that will take your seafood to the next level of flavour.
The acidity in the sauce helps to cut through the fat and richness, making the seafood taste lighter and more refreshing.
The tanginess of the sauce also helps to balance out the saltiness of the seafood.
Here is a good recipe for a tangy tartar sauce:

Ingredients for tangy tartar sauce:

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup finely diced dill pickles
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions for tangy tartar sauce:

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients until well combined.
  2. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight, to allow the flavours to meld.
Tips:
  1. For a richer flavour, use homemade mayonnaise.
  2. If you don't have dill pickles, you can substitute another type of pickle, such as cornichons or sweet pickles.
  3. Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your taste.
    For example, if you like a spicier sauce, add more cayenne pepper.
  4. To make a vegan tartar sauce, substitute vegan mayonnaise for the regular mayonnaise.
Remember, these recipes are just starting points - feel free to adjust the ingredients and quantities based on your personal preferences.
Making your own homemade seafood sauces allows you to customise the flavours and experiment with different combinations of ingredients.
So go ahead, get creative in the kitchen and enjoy your seafood dishes with these delicious sauces!

Tips for Pairing the Right Seafood Sauce with Different Types of Fish and Shellfish

When it comes to seafood, choosing the right sauce can elevate the flavours and enhance your dining experience.
Whether you're grilling fish fillets or enjoying shrimp or mussels, pairing them with the perfect sauce can make all the difference.
For grilled fish fillets, a popular choice is a tangy citrus-based sauce.
The bright acidity of lemon or lime complements the natural flavours of fish and adds a refreshing touch. Alternatively, a creamy dill sauce can provide a rich and herbaceous flavour that pairs well with grilled fish.
When it comes to dipping sauces for shrimp or mussels, there are several options to consider.
A classic cocktail sauce made with ketchup, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce is always a crowd-pleaser for shrimp.
It provides a zesty kick that balances well with the sweetness of the seafood.
For mussels, a garlic butter sauce is an excellent choice. The richness of melted butter combined with minced garlic creates a decadent flavour profile that enhances the natural taste of mussels.
Ultimately, finding the perfect seafood sauce is about experimenting and discovering your personal preferences.
Don't be afraid to try different combinations and get creative in your kitchen!

Conclusion: Enhance Your Seafood Experience with the Perfect Sauce!

In conclusion, adding the perfect sauce to your seafood dishes can truly enhance your dining experience.
Whether you prefer a tangy citrus-based sauce for your grilled fish or a rich and creamy sauce for your buttery crayfish and lobster, the right sauce can elevate the flavours and bring out the best in your seafood.
The key to finding the perfect sauce lies in understanding the flavours of different seafood varieties and pairing them with complementary ingredients.
Experimentation is key, as you can explore a wide range of sauces from around the world to find your personal favourite.
Remember that sauces not only add flavour but also provide moisture and balance to your seafood.
They can help to offset any natural saltiness or richness in certain types of fish or shellfish, creating a harmonious taste profile.
So next time you're enjoying a seafood feast, don't forget to enhance your experience by choosing the perfect sauce.
Whether it's homemade or store-bought, a well-crafted sauce can take your seafood dishes to new heights of deliciousness.
Keyword Recipes For Seafood Sauce, Seafood Cocktail Sauce Recipe