Best Sauces for French Fries: A Guide to Perfect Pairings

A plate of crispy fries is great on its own, but the perfect sauce can make it an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re dipping, drizzling, or dunking, the right sauce can turn fries from a simple snack into a culinary delight. 

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best French fry sauces to pair with fries, covering everything – from timeless classics to innovative gourmet creations. At BurgerFi, we make fresh sauces with simple ingredients and avoid using store-bought pre-made dips for that fresh authentic taste. And that’s what we’re gonna teach you here! 

Why do Sauces Matter for French Fries?

One of the most popular ways of enhancing and balancing flavor profiles in a meal is through food pairing. This technique is used while cooking the food, garnishing the dish, plating, and even taking a bite. Sauces are the go-to pair for French fries. Here’s why: 

The Flavor Impact of Sauces

Sauces are the best complement to fries’ dry and crispy texture. They add moisture, richness, and variety to the otherwise simple fries. A tangy ketchup can elevate the flavor of salty fries, while creamy mayo softens crispy textures. 

Cultural Preferences in Fry Sauces

French fries are usually cooked plain with basic condiments like salt, pepper, paprika, etc. This makes them a clean canvas for adding bold and unique flavors. People from different parts of the world enjoy fries with the flavors they grew up with. This versatility is the core reason for the universal acceptance of French fries.

A look at how different countries pair sauces with fries will show you that there is no right or wrong pairing of sauces when it comes to fries. This humble recipe of potato mingles with all kinds of flavors without contraindicating or overpowering the majority of seasonings. 

For instance, French fries are usually served with ketchup in the US, mayo in Belgium, and curry ketchup in Germany. Canadians on the other hand go all heavy with soupy poutine gravy and the Indo-Chinese version of honey chilly fries is famous in India. 

Every sauce caters to local preferences as well as complements fry cuts uniquely. On a general note, delicate dips suit thin, crispy shoestring fries, while rich and soupy sauces pair well with thick steak fries.

Famous Sauces Paired with French Fries

Let’s see which sauces are frequently paired with French fries and understand what makes them famous. 

Classic French Fry Sauces

Ketchup

Ketchup has been the cornerstone of fry sauces since the origin of French fries and is loved for its sweet and tangy simplicity. This simple tomato-based sauce can be subtle or spicy, thick or runny, and can have flavors of garlic, onion, peppers, etc. 

Mayonnaise

Mayo is a creamy and smooth emulsion of vegetable oil, egg yolks, citrus juice, and other condiments. Based on the flavors used, there are different types of mayonnaise, among which is the famous aioli – mayo infused with garlic and olive oil, smoked lemon mayo, and more. This thick and indulgent sauce is an ideal choice for thicker-cut fries which can hold big chunks of this creamy sauce. 

Vinegar

Vinegar, especially malt vinegar, is a time-honored choice for fries. Vinegar adds a tangy kick, especially when diluted with other complimentary condiments like honey, soy sauce, mustard, and fresh herbs. It pairs perfectly with thinner fry cuts like string and crinkle cuts. Thinner fries will not soak up a lot of sauce when dipped and won’t make your crunchy fries soggy. 

Innovative and Gourmet French Fry Sauces

Truffle Aioli

Truffles are edible subterranean fungi that give a complex umami flavor to any sauce. Truffle aioli is a famous and luxurious dip that works wonders with crispy fries. For people who love depth and layers of flavors in their food, this is a must-try. 

Sriracha Mayo

As the name suggests, this fusion of sweet and spicy sriracha and salty and sour mayo hits all taste buds at once. Sriracha mayo adds heat and richness to a variety of fry types, including crinkle-cut and shoestring fries. 

Cheese Sauce

Nothing screams indulgence more than cheese sauce. Cheese sauce, especially melted cheddar which gives the unique sharp and tangy flavor is a classic for fries. Another famous cheese dip is the creamy nacho cheese dip. If you love a generous helping of sauce, pair this with thick-cut fries for that mouth-filling bite. For those who can enjoy a bold, funky, and tangy kick, blue cheese sauce is an excellent choice.

International Sauces for French Fries

Curry Ketchup

This spicy-sweet twist on traditional ketchup is popular in many parts of Europe. Thick-cut fries are paired with a blend of tomato paste, curry powder, and sweet paprika. 

Poutine Gravy

Canadians have made a complete meal out of French fries. Poutine gravy is a thick savory gravy made up of meat, potato, and other hearty vegetables and is topped with fresh cheese curds. Poutine’s gravy works best with thick-cut fries which soak up the flavorful liquid inside out. 

Chimichurri

Busy cooks and freshness lovers – try this zesty, herb-filled sauce that adds freshness and tang to fries. Chimichurri is a raw concoction of olive oil, red wine vinegar, crushed garlic, red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, and a sprinkle of oregano. This raw and bold-flavored sauce goes well with almost all kinds of fries, but especially with big steak French fries which picks up the sauce well. 

How to Make Your Own French Fry Sauces at Home

Now that you have all these known sauces as inspiration, let’s break down the pillars of a great sauce: Balanced flavors and the right consistency.  

 

• Flavors used in a sauce should not overpower or negate each other. A great sauce achieves harmony among its flavor components – sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. 
• Next comes the consistency of the sauce which is determined by the base ingredient used. The tip to remember here is that a sauce’s texture should match its intended purpose. A dipping sauce should be thick enough to coat fries, while a drizzling sauce should have a lighter, more pourable consistency. Moreover, strong-flavored dips should be kept runny and served with thin fries so that one is not overwhelmed with a big helping of sauce in a single bite. 

Simple DIY Fry Sauces

New enthusiasts should start with easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing sauces like garlic mayo, barbecue sauce, and ranch. Also, you know your guests better than we do, so don’t shy away from using local herbs and condiments to add a personal touch. For a gourmet touch, you can start experimenting with unique ingredients like truffle oil, cheese, and exotic herbs to create your signature fry sauce. 

 

From timeless classics like ketchup and mayo to gourmet sauces like truffle aioli and chimichurri, the world of French fry sauces is as diverse as it is delicious. And so is our menu at BurgerFi is filled with diverse options – from famous Truffle aioli to signature Frank’s red hot sauce. Order now from your nearest BurgerFi for a quick hassle-free delivery!