Hush puppies are a beloved Southern staple – crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these fried cornbread balls are the perfect vehicle for dipping in a variety of delicious sauces. As a certified sauce expert and self-proclaimed “Queen of Dips,” I aim to guide you through the broad world of hush puppy pairings. Though hush puppies are scrumptious on their own, the right sauce takes them to a whole new level of finger-licking satisfaction.

In this article, we will explore nine mouthwatering sauces that complement the neutral cornmeal flavor and crispy-outside-fluffy-inside texture of hush puppies. From sweet to savory, mild to spicy, there’s a sauce here for every palate. Once you discover your perfect match, you may never eat a plain hush puppy again!

So what sauce goes with hush puppies?

Hush puppies are ideal for dipping in a variety of sauces that complement their neutral cornmeal flavor and crispy exterior. Popular options include honey mustard, remoulade, barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, maple syrup, and chocolate sauce. The best sauce pairing comes down to personal taste preferences, whether you like it sweet, savory, spicy, or creamy. Trying different sauces is the best way to find your perfect match with these Southern fried fritters.

1. Honey Mustard

Honey mustard is a tangy, sweet sauce that blends two strong flavors into one smooth, creamy dip. Combining the spice of Dijon mustard with the mellow sweetness of honey, this sauce hits all the right notes when paired with piping hot hush puppies. The mustard cuts through the fried flavor with vinegar acidity, while the honey balances it out with subtle floral sweetness.

I recommend whisking together equal parts Dijon mustard, honey, and mayonnaise or sour cream. For extra zing, add a dash of cayenne pepper. Swirl a hush puppy in this sunshine-yellow sauce for a delightful sweet and savory experience.

2. Remoulade

Originating from France, remoulade is a cousin to tartar sauce and aioli. This versatile sauce can be tweaked to preference, but generally contains a tangy, spicy blend of mustard, capers, herbs, pickled vegetables, hot sauce, and olive oil or mayonnaise. The hallmark ingredients are chopped pickles and piquant Creole mustard, which give remoulade its signature zing.

When paired with hush puppies, the acidity and crunch of the pickled vegetables contrasts nicely with the starchy softness of the breading. The spicy mustard and hot sauce also help cut through the fried flavor. For best results, finely mince the pickles and herbs so they incorporate fully into the sauce. Dip the hush puppies and let the tangy flavors dance on your tongue!

3. Ketchup

Good old ketchup is a no-fuss, classic dipping sauce for hush puppies. Made from tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, and spices, ketchup offers a hit of sweet, tangy tomato flavor. It has just enough thickness to adhere nicely to the craggy exterior of a freshly fried hush puppy. The acidity helps cut through the oil, while the sweetness and gentle spice blend well with the neutral cornmeal flavor.

To make quick homemade ketchup, combine pureed tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of cloves and celery salt. For the perfect dipping consistency, aim for a 4:1 ratio of tomatoes to vinegar. Dunk those hush puppies to your heart’s delight!

4. Barbecue Sauce

What’s better than warm, pillowy hush puppies fresh from the fryer? Warm, pillowy hush puppies dunked in smoky, sweet barbecue sauce! This is a match made in heaven. The cornmeal absorbs the sauce, taking on its sticky, charred flavor. Vinegar-based barbecue sauces work best.

For homemade barbecue sauce, cook down ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, paprika, garlic, and onion. Finish it off with a touch of honey for sweetness and molasses for smokiness. The possibilities are endless – play around with spices, smoky peppers, pineapple juice, beer, Dr. Pepper, etc. Dip those hush puppies and transport yourself to a summer barbecue!

5. Hot Sauce

If you like a little heat with your savory snacks, hot sauce is the way to go. The sound of sizzling hush puppies being dunked into hot sauce is music to a spice lover’s ears. The burn of the chilies and tang of the vinegar cuts perfectly through the oil and carbohydrates. Some good hot sauces to try are Cholula, Tabasco, Frank’s RedHot, Crystal, Texas Pete, and Sriracha.

For the daring, go for something more potent like habanero sauce. You can also make your own by blending vinegar and chili peppers of your choice. Start with a few drops and work your way up – things can get messy quick! Just have a cold drink on hand to tame the flames.

6. Ranch Dressing

Ranch and fried foods go together like peas and carrots. The creamy, herby flavor of ranch cools down the heat of freshly fried hushpuppies. Making your own ranch from scratch is simple: just whisk together mayo, sour cream, buttermilk, lemon juice, garlic, dried dill, chives, parsley, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

The cool, tangy dressing provides a lovely contrast to the starchy interior of the hush puppies. Feel free to tweak the herb blend to your liking. Ranch pairs well with just about anything fried – hush puppies are just the beginning!

7. Honey

For those with a major sweet tooth, you can’t get much simpler than drizzling raw honey over warm hush puppies. Let the amber nectar soak in, combining with the natural corn sweetness. Wildflower and orange blossom honey varieties work nicely.

Raw honey offers the most health benefits and nuanced floral flavors based on where the bees collected the pollen. If you can get local honey, go for it! The subtle floral notes play off the cornmeal beautifully. And don’t forget a pat of butter – a classic combination that can’t be beat.

8. Maple Syrup

Maple syrup is another way to satisfy a sweet craving along with your hush puppies. The rich maple flavor pairs wonderfully with the cornmeal. Try real maple syrup, not just maple-flavored syrup, for the best flavor.

Warm it up first to get it drizzling consistency – cold syrup won’t soak in well. Vermont maple syrup offers that authentic maple sugar taste, though Canadian maple syrup is another excellent option.

To make your own, simply boil down maple sap, filtered water, brown sugar, and maple extract until thickened. Drizzle liberally over piping hot hush puppies and take a bite of sweet corn heaven!

9. Chocolate Sauce

Now for the wild card – chocolate sauce. Before you write me off, let me tell you that the combination of warm fried dough, melty chocolate, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt is pure magic. The crisp cornmeal shell soaks up the bittersweet chocolate sauce, making each bite rich and decadent.

Opt for a dark chocolate or cocoa-based sauce. Melt down some chocolate chips with butter, cocoa powder, confectioner’s sugar, milk, and vanilla for an easy homemade sauce. Dip those puppies and prepare for chocolate bliss! Sweet and salty flavors collide in this unexpectedly perfect pairing.

No matter which sauce suits your fancy, the versatility of hush puppies makes them an ideal base for customizable flavor adventures. Dip, drizzle, and dunk to your heart’s content! Just be cautious of stray crumbs and loose droplets, as things can get messy.

Have plenty of napkins on hand. Now get to the kitchen and start mixing and matching – your taste buds will thank you. Hush puppies offer a perfect neutral canvas for any of your favorite sauces. With this list by your side, you’ll never struggle with the age-old question, “What do I dip these in?” again.

FAQs

1. What are some classic sauce pairings for hushpuppies?

Classic sauces for hushpuppies include honey mustard, ketchup, ranch dressing, and hot sauce. These are traditional pairings that complement the flavor and texture.

2. Can you make homemade sauces for hushpuppies?

Absolutely! Homemade sauces like honey mustard, remoulade, barbecue sauce, ketchup, and maple syrup are easy to make from scratch and taste delicious with hushpuppies.

3. What sweet sauces go well with hushpuppies?

Great sweet sauce options include honey, maple syrup, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, jam, marmalade, and fruit dipping sauces like strawberry or peach sauce.

4. What are some spicy or savory sauces that pair with hushpuppies?

Savory, spicy sauces to try are buffalo sauce, sriracha mayo, cajun remoulade, chipotle ranch, and spicy aioli. These all complement the flavor nicely.

5. Can you use unusual sauces like mole or chimichurri with hushpuppies?

The neutral flavor profile of hushpuppies makes them very versatile for dipping, so more unusual sauces like mole, chimichurri, nuoc cham, and harissa work nicely and give an unexpected flavor twist.

6. What sauce ingredients should you avoid with hushpuppies?

Stay away from sauces with very chunky ingredients that make dipping difficult. Also avoid overly strong flavored sauces that will overpower the subtle cornmeal taste.

Conclusion

Hush puppies offer a world of possibilities when it comes to flavorful dipping sauces. This Southern staple has a neutral base flavor that allows the sauce to take center stage. As we’ve discussed, sweet sauces like honey, maple syrup, and chocolate perfectly complement the fried cornmeal fritters. Savory sauces like remoulade, barbecue, ranch, and hot sauce also pair wonderfully.

The options are endless, allowing you to customize your hush puppy experience based on your tastes. So grab some hush puppies, break out your favorite sauces, and start experimenting. With the right dip, these fritters go from simple to extraordinary in just one bite! The perfect partner is out there waiting to be discovered.