What Is Denny’s All American Sauce? [Recipe Included]
If you know anything about fast food, you surely must have heard of Denny’s All-American, which has grown to become an institution among sauces. So wholesome, comforting, and satisfying, it is my go-to sauce for any occasion, celebratory or otherwise.
If there is anything just as good as having Denny’s All-American Sauce at Denny’s, that’s having it in your fridge and making a little feast whenever you feel like it. In this article, I will tell you all you need to know about this sauce and how to make your very own version of it.
What Is All-American Sauce?
Denny’s All-American sauce is a creamy and tangy sauce you can use as a dipping sauce. Describing it seems like explaining something everyone knows. Still, this delicacy definitely deserves time to shine, but no description comes even close to its deliciousness.
The creamy base of mayonnaise sets the creamy tone, while the tangy notes of ketchup and mustard add a zingy and savory twist, creating a mouthwatering sensation. Now, add Worcestershire sauce and vinegar to this equation, and you get a flavor explosion without overburdening the taste buds.
I love its creamy texture and well-balanced flavor, and for me, it is the perfect companion to meals you don’t know what to pair with. Since it is so versatile and so well-balanced, its flavor pairs with many dishes, ranging in flavor and complexity.
It strikes the sweet spot where tangy, savory, and sweet notes meet to form a strong flavor alliance, where each note plays its part without underestimating the rest of the flavors.
What Does All-American Sauce Taste Like?
As I said before, no description is good enough to capture the taste of All-American Sauce. It strikes a perfect balance between tangy, savory, and discretely sweet flavors. I would say that it has everything in moderation.
So, you can call it a little bit sweet, a little bit savory, a little bit tangy, and even a bit bitter, but the balance created among these flavors is what makes All-American sauce a unique and so beloved condiment. The overall flavor is complex and deep but not at all heavy on the taste buds.
On the contrary, All-American sauce can add freshness to the dish depending on what you pair it with. It is the shape-shifter among sauces, with an excellent ability to adapt to various flavors and notes.
How to Make Denny’s All-American Sauce?
And now, for the best part, which is making your very own Denny’s All-American Sauce! Before I get into the recipe, let me just say that the homemade version and Denny’s version won’t be identical, but that doesn’t make the homemade version any less delicious.
You’ll need mayonnaise, fresh garlic, fresh onion, celery, green bell pepper, tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, brown sugar, honey, and cayenne pepper. As you can see, the ingredients are pretty basic, and you probably already have them in your kitchen, which makes this sauce even better.
I usually add half a tomato, half an onion, one clove of garlic, half a bell pepper, a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, a pinch of salt and pepper, half a teaspoon of brown sugar, and a teaspoon of honey. I play the oregano and basil by ear. The mayo is the base, so I use half a cup and one teaspoon of tomato paste.
The procedure is basically chopping and simmering. Finely chop the veggies, or even better, blend them in a blender. Pop them in a heated pan along with the fresh herbs and let them sauté for a few minutes.
Add a bit of water and simmer for about 7-10 minutes. Next, add the brown sugar, tomato paste, and honey and simmer for another 7-10 minutes. So, 15 to 20 minutes of simmering in total.
Season the mixture to taste with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix well and let it cool. Once the mixture is cool, mix it with the mayo and let it homogenize. Enjoy!
How to Store This Sauce?
Due to the mayonnaise, All-American Sauce is a highly perishable condiment, and it doesn’t last very long, even under perfect conditions. So, to make sure your sauce stays safe and sound for as long as possible, you must take its storage very seriously.
Even if it seems good, the spoilage may have started if the storage is improper. So rule number one, never store your All-American Sauce at room temperature, even for a short while. It’s okay to have it at room temperature for up to an hour, but even that could be too long if the room is warmer.
Place the sauce in an airtight container or jar and refrigerate it. Refrigerated, it can last for up to a week. Use spotless utensils to scoop it out when you want to eat it, and always make sure you close the lid as tightly as possible.
If you don’t have an airtight container or a jar, I strongly advise you to get one before making this sauce at home.
Freezing isn’t an option with this sauce, so don’t bother trying. Freezing the sauce diminishes all its delicious properties and ruins its texture and consistency. It will be safe in the freezer, but it won’t be of any use.
What to Serve with It?
Serving Denny’s Sauce is what I love the most about it. You can serve it with almost anything and use it in many ways. I use it as sauce, dip, and even spread. If there’s anything that can turn an ordinary piece of bread into a refined gourmet experience, it’s this sauce, trust me.
Beyond the realm of fast-food favorites, such as fried chicken, burgers, fries, hot dogs, onion rings, and other deep-fried delicacies, it is also excellent with grilled meats such as chicken, steak, or pork chops. I love how it enhances the smokiness giving the meat a tangy kick.
Wraps, tacos, and ordinary homemade sandwiches are also great with this sauce. It adds complexity where it lacks and balances the surrounding flavors. So, feel free to go wild on the ingredients!
You can also combine this delicious homemade sauce with seafood, seafood salads, seafood stir-fries, or simply as a seafood cocktail dip. Speaking of salads, you can use All-American sauce as a salad dressing for chicken or tuna salad, Caesar salad, or even a simple green salad.
Grilled and roasted veggies are an excellent base for this sauce. Just put a dollop of this sauce onto the veggies while they are still warm, and watch the miracles happen before your eyes.
Pastas and pizzas are also great with All-American Sauce. When I feel lazy but I still want to treat myself to something delicious, I cook pasta and mix it with this sauce and add grated cheese on top.
If your pizza seems a little empty, spread some All-American Sauce on top. It is perfect for all sorts of pizzas, but my favorite is the four-cheese pizza.
What will you serve your homemade Denny’s with? I can’t wait to read about your combinations in the comments below!
Denny’s All American Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ tomato
- ½ onion
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ bell pepper
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp honey
- oregano and basil to taste
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp tomato paste
Instructions
- Finely chop the veggies, or even better, blend them in a blender. Pop them in a heated pan along with the fresh herbs and let them sauté for a few minutes.
- Add a bit of water and simmer for about 7-10 minutes. Next, add the brown sugar, tomato paste, and honey and simmer for another 7-10 minutes. So, 15 to 20 minutes of simmering in total.
- Season the mixture to taste with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix well and let it cool. Once the mixture is cool, mix it with the mayo and let it homogenize. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Before diving into the nutritional details, please review our Nutritional Disclaimer page for important context and clarifications.
