Homemade Steak Sauce
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.I love making my own sauces, and this homemade steak sauce is ready in just 5 minutes. With tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, and spices, it adds rich flavor to anything I serve it with. It is so easy to make and way better than anything you find in a bottle.
You should always have a great-tasting homemade steak sauce recipe in your back pocket. It’s cheaper and healthier than anything you’ll find at the store. I mean, why buy sauces loaded with artificial ingredients anyway? I love making sauces, if you’ve been around here, you probably saw my vegan caramel sauce the other day, and trust me, there are plenty more coming!
But in the meantime, you can enjoy my tomatillo salsa verde, it’s perfect with tacos or my veggie pasta sauce, which is another favorite around here. My boys are always asking for it, and as a foodie mom, how could I ever say no? Ha!
👩🏽🍳 Why I Love This Recipe
I’ve always liked the idea of steak sauce, but I wasn’t a fan of all the store-bought versions packed with preservatives and ingredients I couldn’t even pronounce. When I decided to make my own, I wanted something made from whole food ingredients like tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, and tamari. It had to taste great, and guess what? Of course I make sure it tastes fantastic!
My homemade steak sauce recipe is so easy to make. I just whisk everything in a bowl and it’s ready to go – no cooking, no blending, no long simmering time. Just simple pantry staples that come together into a rich, tangy, slightly sweet sauce that goes well with everything from grilled tofu to roasted veggies and veggie burgers. I can even adjust the spice if my husband wants a little heat or keep it mild for my picky eaters.
If you are like me and want a quick condiment that actually tastes good and doesn’t rely on Worcestershire sauce or hard-to-find ingredients, this steak sauce is perfect for you to try. I’ve served it at family dinners, on meal prep bowls, even as a dip for fries, and it always gets a nod of approval. It’s homemade, it’s simple, and it works with so many dishes I already make. This sauce is an easy win I’ll keep coming back to, and I hope it becomes a staple in your kitchen too.
🥘 Ingredients
These are the ingredients I use to make my homemade steak sauce recipe, and I’m pretty sure you already have most of them in your pantry from making other healthy recipes.
Tomato Paste: I use tomato paste as the rich and hearty base for this sauce.
Balsamic Vinegar: This adds a tangy flavor that balances the sweetness perfectly.
Tamari or Soy Sauce: I mix in tamari or soy sauce to bring a salty taste to the sauce.
Maple Syrup: A little maple syrup adds just the right amount of natural sweetness without overpowering.
Garlic Powder: I sprinkle in garlic powder for that savory flavor.
Ground Black Pepper: A pinch of ground black pepper gives the sauce a tiny bit of heat and a nice finish.
Hot Sauce: I add a little hot sauce when I want the steak sauce to be a bit spicy.
🔪 How To Make
This easy homemade steak sauce recipe comes together fast. All it takes is just two simple steps!
Mix the ingredients: I add all the ingredients to a bowl and whisk everything together until it is smooth and fully combined.
Serve it up: I use this sauce on anything I want. Check out my serving suggestions later in the post for some of my favorite ideas.
💭 Expert Tips
My #1 Secret Tip for making my homemade steak sauce is to take a quick taste before serving and adjust if needed. Sometimes I add a little extra maple syrup if I want it sweeter or a splash more vinegar if I want it tangier. A small tweak can really make the sauce just right for whatever I am serving.
Other Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Use Good Quality Ingredients Since this recipe is so simple, using good quality tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, and tamari makes a big difference. I stick to ingredients I already trust and use in my kitchen.
- Whisk Well: I make sure to whisk everything really well until the sauce is completely smooth.
- Let It Chill If You Can: If I have time, I let the sauce sit in the fridge for a little while before serving. It helps the flavors deepen and makes the sauce even tastier.
- Adjust the Spice: When I know the kids will be eating it too, I go easy on the hot sauce. If I’m making it for friends who love a little heat, I’ll add an extra splash.
📖 Variations
This homemade steak sauce is one of my favorite kitchen staples, and I love how easy it is to switch things up. For easy variations, I suggest the following favorites:
Smoky Flavor: I sometimes add a pinch of smoked paprika to give the sauce a smoky flavor that pairs really well with grilled veggies or burgers.
Sweet and Tangy: When I want a little more sweetness, I swap the maple syrup for a spoonful of date syrup. It makes the sauce a little richer without being too sweet.
Extra Savory: I mix in a tiny splash of coconut aminos when I want a slightly sweeter and more savory sauce. It balances the vinegar and tomato paste perfectly.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
When I made this homemade steak sauce for my husband’s birthday party a couple months ago, it turned into one of the surprise favorites of the night. I served it with a big platter of baked veggie tots and crispy yuca fries for everyone to dip into, and honestly, I should have made double. My boys were first in line grabbing the tots, and our friends kept going back for more fries with that sauce. It was simple, but it made the snack table filling without me having to do anything fancy.
For dinner, I grilled up some juicy portobello steaks and stacked a few veggie burgers for a fun build-your-own station. I set out bowls of toppings and a big jar of this sauce on the side. It is definitely staying on the menu for our next party.
🧊 Storage Directions
Refrigeration: I like storing this homemade steak sauce in an airtight jar or bottle in the fridge. It keeps fresh for up to 7 days and stays nice and flavorful.
Freezing: If I make a bigger batch, I freeze the extra in a freezer-safe container. It holds up really well for up to 3 months.
Reheating: I let it thaw in the fridge overnight. If it needs a little loosening up, I stir it well or warm it gently before serving.
❓Recipe FAQs
How do I make the sauce thicker?
This sauce is naturally a little thick because of the tomato paste, but if I want it even thicker, I let it chill in the fridge for an hour or so. It thickens up nicely without needing anything extra.
Can kids eat this sauce?
Yes, my kids eat this sauce all the time and they really enjoy it. When I am making it just for them, I leave out the hot sauce completely so it stays mild and easy for them to eat. I will sometimes add just a tiny splash of hot sauce to give it a little extra flavor without making it too spicy. It is easy to adjust and makes the sauce something the whole family can enjoy together.
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, I usually make it a day or two ahead if I know I will be busy. It stores really well in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to a week. I think it even tastes better after a day because all the flavors have more time to blend together.
🥣 More Sauce Recipes!
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📋 Recipe Card
Homemade Steak Sauce
I love making my own sauces, and this homemade steak sauce is ready in just 5 minutes. With tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, and spices, it adds rich flavor to anything I serve it with. It is so easy to make and way better than anything you find in a bottle.
Servings: 10
Calories: 26kcal
Ingredients
- ½ cup tomato paste
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup Tamari or Soy Sauce
- 2 teaspoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoon hot sauce , optional
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients in a bowl until combined and smooth.
- Serve on everything!
Notes
- My #1 Secret Tip for making my homemade steak sauce is to take a quick taste before serving and adjust if needed. Sometimes I add a little extra maple syrup if I want it sweeter or a splash more vinegar if I want it tangier. A small tweak can really make the sauce just right for whatever I am serving.
- Use Good Quality Ingredients Since this recipe is so simple, using good quality tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, and tamari makes a big difference. I stick to ingredients I already trust and use in my kitchen.
- Whisk Well: I make sure to whisk everything really well until the sauce is completely smooth.
- Let It Chill If You Can: If I have time, I let the sauce sit in the fridge for a little while before serving. It helps the flavors deepen and makes the sauce even tastier.
- Adjust the Spice: When I know the kids will be eating it too, I go easy on the hot sauce. If I’m making it for friends who love a little heat, I’ll add an extra splash.
Nutrition
Calories: 26kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 247mg | Potassium: 19mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg
