Spicy Onion Ring Sauce

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When I make homemade onion rings, I always make sure there’s a bold, flavorful dipping sauce ready to go with them.

Crispy onion rings are already hard to resist, but pairing them with a creamy, zesty dip takes them to the next level.

This spicy onion ring sauce is quick to make, packed with smoky flavor, and has just enough heat to keep you coming back for another bite.

It tastes like a restaurant-style dipping sauce, but it’s made with simple pantry ingredients and comes together in just a few minutes.

No cooking, no complicated steps — just stir, chill, and serve.

What Makes This Spicy Onion Ring Sauce So Good?

The flavor comes from a simple but powerful combination of ingredients. The mayonnaise creates a rich, creamy base, while ketchup adds a touch of sweetness and tang.

Prepared horseradish gives the sauce its signature kick, and smoked paprika brings a subtle smoky depth.

Garlic powder rounds everything out, and a pinch of cayenne adds gentle heat without overpowering the sauce.

After a short chill time, the flavors blend together and become even more balanced and bold.

What Is Spicy Onion Ring Sauce?

Spicy onion ring sauce is a creamy, zesty dipping sauce made to pair perfectly with crispy homemade onion rings.

It’s typically built on a mayonnaise base and flavored with tangy and smoky ingredients like ketchup, horseradish, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and a touch of cayenne pepper for heat.

The result is a bold, restaurant-style sauce that adds extra flavor and richness to every bite.

You’ll often see this style of sauce served with blooming onions and other fried appetizers at steakhouses and casual restaurants.

The creamy texture and spicy kick help balance the crunch and sweetness of fried onions, making it a favorite for dipping not only onion rings, but also fries, chicken tenders, and fried pickles.

It’s quick to make at home and easy to adjust depending on how mild or spicy you like your sauce.

Ingredients

• mayonnaise
• prepared horseradish
• ketchup
• garlic powder
• smoked paprika
• salt
• cayenne pepper

How to Make Spicy Onion Ring Sauce

Add the mayonnaise, ketchup, and prepared horseradish to a small bowl and stir until smooth.

Sprinkle in the garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and cayenne pepper, then mix until fully combined.

Taste the sauce and adjust if needed. If you like more heat, add a little extra cayenne or horseradish. If you want it milder, reduce the cayenne slightly.

Cover and refrigerate the sauce for about 30 minutes before serving so the flavors can fully develop.

Ways to Use It

Even though this spicy onion ring sauce is made specifically for homemade onion rings, it’s incredibly versatile.

It’s also delicious with french fries, sweet potato fries, chicken tenders, fried pickles, and burgers. It even works well as a spread on sandwiches and wraps when you want to add extra flavor.

Make It Ahead

This is a great make-ahead sauce. You can prepare it earlier in the day or even the night before.

Store it covered in the refrigerator for up to five days. Give it a quick stir before serving, and it’s ready to go.