In my house, sauces are almost as important as the main dish. I grew up with at least two or three condiments on the dinner table every night—ketchup, mustard, mayo, something spicy—and that habit has stuck with me. Over the years, I’ve realized that the best sauces are the ones you can whip up in just a few minutes with things you already have in the fridge.
This Cajun dipping sauce is exactly that kind of recipe. It’s creamy, tangy, and just the right amount of spicy. I first made it as an experiment to serve with shrimp cakes instead of the avocado salsa I usually make. The verdict? My family loved it so much that it immediately earned a permanent spot in our sauce rotation. Now we dip fries in it, spread it on burgers, and even scoop it up with tortilla chips when we’re too lazy to make anything else.
Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This Sauce
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Quick and easy – Just mix everything in a bowl. No cooking, no waiting around.
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Endlessly versatile – Works as a dip, spread, or topping for all kinds of meals.
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Customizable heat – Mild, medium, or fiery—it’s up to you.
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Better than store-bought – Fresh garlic, lemon juice, and your favorite Cajun seasoning make it taste far more alive than bottled sauces.
Tips from My Kitchen
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Use full-fat mayo: It gives the dip a richer and smoother texture. If you’re using light mayo, it’ll still taste good, just a little thinner.
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Make it ahead: This sauce actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a couple of hours. The flavors blend and mellow together.
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Adjust the heat: I start with a few dashes of hot sauce and taste from there. For family dinners, I keep it mild, but when it’s just me and my friends, I usually double the heat.
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Balance with lemon: Don’t skip the fresh lemon juice—it brightens the flavors and keeps the sauce from being too heavy.
Make Ahead and Storage
This sauce is great for prepping ahead. Mix it up the night before a cookout or game day, cover, and chill in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 4 days. I usually give it a quick stir before serving, and if it thickens too much, a splash of lemon juice loosens it right back up.
Serving Suggestions
The fun part about this sauce is that it works with just about anything. Some of my favorite pairings:
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Crispy French fries or sweet potato fries
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Fish sticks, shrimp cakes, or fried catfish
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Burgers, chicken sandwiches, or even pulled pork sliders
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Fresh-cut veggies like carrots, cucumbers, or bell peppers
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Tortilla chips when you’re craving something snacky
FAQs
Is this sauce really spicy?
It’s more of a mild-to-medium heat depending on how much hot sauce you add. If you like things fiery, just add more hot sauce or even a pinch of cayenne.
Can I make it with Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes, Greek yogurt works well and makes it a little lighter. The flavor is slightly tangier, but still delicious.
What’s the best Cajun seasoning to use?
Any store-bought blend works, but if you have a homemade mix, even better. Just make sure it has paprika, garlic powder, and a bit of heat.
How long does it keep?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it lasts up to 4 days.
Can I use lime instead of lemon juice?
Definitely. Lime gives it a slightly different brightness, and it pairs really well if you’re serving the sauce with seafood.
Spicy Cajun Dipping Sauce
Creamy, zesty, and full of flavor, this spicy Cajun dipping sauce is the perfect partner for crispy fish sticks, juicy burgers, or even a simple bowl of chips.
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1½ cups sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, Cajun seasoning, garlic, lemon juice, and hot sauce. Stir until smooth and well blended.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, allowing the flavors to meld together. This sauce tastes even better after resting for a short while.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 181Total Fat 19gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 31mgSodium 523mgCarbohydrates 3gFiber 0gSugar 2gProtein 1g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thought
This Spicy Cajun Dipping Sauce is one of those little recipes that makes meals more fun. It takes almost no time to whip up, but it adds a punch of flavor that makes even basic frozen fries feel like something special. For me, it’s the kind of sauce I never mind having a jar of in the fridge—it’s just too handy not to keep around.
Next time you’re planning burgers, seafood night, or even just a snacky movie night, mix up a batch of this sauce. I guarantee you’ll find yourself reaching for it again and again.
