🏠 Home > 🗺️ Recipes > 🥘 Sauces > 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic Sauces > 🥘 1.Salsa Criolla Dominicana (Classic Dominican Creole Sauce) , 2.Wasakaka Verde (Dominican Green Garlic Sauce) , 3.Salsa de Ajo Cremosa Dominicana (Dominican Creamy Garlic Sauce)

🥘 Dominican Sauces You’ll Want to Put on Everything

🍅 Introduction: The Heartwarming World of Dominican Sauces

Dominican cuisine is all about bold flavors, home-style comfort, and dishes that tell stories of heritage, family, and warmth. And if you’ve ever enjoyed Dominican food before, you probably know that sauces play a major role in elevating simple ingredients into dishes packed with flavor. These sauces are bright, aromatic, and often incredibly easy to make.

From homes in Santo Domingo to Dominican kitchens in New York, Madrid, and Miami, people are discovering how versatile, budget-friendly, and satisfying Dominican sauces can be. They transform everyday meals—grilled meats, rice dishes, fried snacks, and even roasted vegetables—into something unforgettable.

This article brings together three beloved Dominican sauces, each unique in flavor and incredibly easy to prepare:

🌶️ 1.Salsa Criolla Dominicana (Classic Dominican Creole Sauce) – The essential Dominican savory sauce for meats, rice, and plantains.

🌶️ 2.Wasakaka Verde (Dominican Green Garlic Sauce) – A bright, garlicky green sauce perfect for chicken and yuca.

🌶️ 3.Salsa de Ajo Cremosa Dominicana (Dominican Creamy Garlic Sauce) – A creamy garlic sauce that pairs amazingly with snacks and comfort foods.

All three are beginner-friendly, use simple pantry ingredients, and are written in a warm, conversational tone—like a Dominican friend guiding you through their family recipes.

🍅 Recipe 1: Salsa Criolla Dominicana (Classic Dominican Creole Sauce)

🍅 About this Recipe

Salsa Criolla is one of the Dominican Republic’s most iconic sauces—savory, fragrant, colorful, and incredibly versatile. Dominicans use it on everything: chicken, pork, fish, stews like “carne guisada,” fried plantains, and even rice dishes. It’s the kind of sauce that instantly brings life to a simple meal.

This sauce is tomato-forward, filled with onions, peppers, garlic, herbs, and gentle spices. Its aroma is comforting and deeply nostalgic for many Dominican households. If you enjoy flavorful home cooking with layers of seasoning, this is the sauce you’ll want to keep in your weekly rotation.

🍅 Ingredients & Measurements

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 1 large onion, sliced

• 1 bell pepper, sliced (any color works)

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 tomatoes, diced

• 1 teaspoon oregano

• 1 bay leaf

• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ cup water or broth

• 1 teaspoon tomato paste (optional for thicker sauce)

• A handful of cilantro, chopped

🍅 Step-by-Step Instructions

1.Heat the oil

Warm a pan over medium heat and add vegetable oil.

2.Cook the onions and peppers

Add sliced onions and peppers. Cook for 3–4 minutes until soft and fragrant.

3.Add garlic and herbs

Toss in garlic, oregano, bay leaf, and black pepper. Stir well.

4.Add the tomatoes

Add diced tomatoes and let them soften until they release their juices.

5.Add a splash of water or broth

Pour in water and optionally tomato paste to adjust thickness.

6.Simmer gently

Let everything simmer for 8–10 minutes until the sauce thickens.

7.Finish with cilantro

Add chopped cilantro and remove the bay leaf.

8.Taste and adjust seasoning

Add salt as needed.

🍅 Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

Tips:

• Use ripe tomatoes for a naturally sweeter, fuller flavor.

• Add a touch more water if you want it more saucy for stews.

• Great to prepare ahead of time—flavor gets richer overnight.

Mistakes:

• Burning garlic will make the sauce bitter.

• Using unripe tomatoes leads to a more acidic taste.

• Adding too much tomato paste can overpower the natural flavors.

🍅 FAQ

1. Can I blend the sauce for a smoother texture?

Yes—just remove the bay leaf first.

2. How long does Salsa Criolla last in the fridge?

Up to 4 days in a sealed container.

3. Can I freeze it?

Absolutely! Freeze in small portions for easy use.

🍅 Summary

Salsa Criolla is the backbone of Dominican home cooking—bright, comforting, and full of flavor. It goes well with almost anything and instantly transforms simple meals into something special.

🌿 Recipe 2: Wasakaka Verde (Dominican Green Garlic Sauce)

🌿 About this Recipe

Wasakaka Verde is one of the most famous Dominican sauces, loved for its fresh, garlicky kick and bright green color. Unlike creamy sauces, Wasakaka is thin, zesty, and bursting with herbs. It's especially popular with roasted chicken, yuca, grilled vegetables, and plantain dishes.

The combination of garlic, citrus, herbs, and oil creates a simple yet powerful flavor profile. Think of it as a Dominican-style chimichurri—light, herbal, tangy, and incredibly addictive.

🌿 Ingredients & Measurements

• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves

• ½ cup fresh parsley leaves

• 4–5 garlic cloves

• 1 teaspoon oregano

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon sugar (balances acidity)

• ¼ cup vegetable oil

• ¼ cup lime juice or bitter orange juice

• 2–3 tablespoons water (to adjust consistency)

🌿 Step-by-Step Instructions

1.Prepare fresh herbs

Rinse cilantro and parsley, shake dry, and remove thick stems.

2.Blend garlic and herbs

Add cilantro, parsley, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper into a blender.

3.Add liquids

Pour in vegetable oil and lime juice.

4.Blend until smooth

Pulse until the sauce reaches a smooth but pourable consistency.

5.Adjust consistency

Add 1–3 tablespoons of water to thin the sauce to your liking.

6.Rest before serving

Let it sit for at least 10 minutes so flavors can combine.

🌿 Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

Tips:

• Add extra lime juice if you prefer a more zesty flavor.

• Use fresh herbs for the brightest green color.

• Great as a marinade for chicken or fish.

Mistakes:

• Over-blending can make herbs taste bitter.

• Using old garlic creates a sharp, unpleasant aftertaste.

• Adding too much water weakens the flavor.

🌿 FAQ

1. How long does Wasakaka last in the fridge?

Up to 3 days because of the fresh herbs.

2. Can I make it spicier?

Yes—add a small piece of fresh chili.

3. Can I use lemon instead of lime?

Yes, but lime gives a more authentic flavor.

🌿 Summary

Wasakaka Verde is fresh, lively, and full of Dominican personality. It’s the perfect sauce to brighten any meal and adds a refreshing herbal punch.

🧄 Recipe 3: Salsa de Ajo Cremosa Dominicana (Dominican Creamy Garlic Sauce)

🧄 About this Recipe

This creamy garlic sauce is a Dominican-style comfort sauce—a smooth, mild, garlicky blend often paired with fried snacks like tostones, yuca fries, breaded chicken, or crispy potato bites. It’s rich but simple, with a soft, velvety texture that makes it incredibly addictive.

Dominican homes and street-food stands often serve variations of this sauce. Some are thicker, some are lighter, but they all share the same irresistible garlic flavor and creamy feel.

🧄 Ingredients & Measurements

• 4 garlic cloves

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1 tablespoon lime juice

• ½ cup mayonnaise

• ¼ cup plain yogurt

• 1–2 tablespoons water (optional for thinning)

• 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro (optional)

🧄 Step-by-Step Instructions

1.Crush garlic

Mince or crush the garlic until very fine.

2.Mix seasonings

In a bowl, combine garlic, salt, pepper, and sugar.

3.Add creamy base

Mix in mayonnaise and yogurt until smooth.

4.Add lime juice

Stir well to brighten the flavor.

5.Adjust texture

Add water little by little for a thinner consistency if desired.

6.Finish with cilantro

Add chopped cilantro for extra freshness (optional).

7.Chill before serving

Let sit for 15 minutes so flavors meld.

🧄 Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

Tips:

• Use fresh garlic for the best aroma.

• Add a bit more yogurt if you want it tangier.

• Perfect as a dip, spread, or drizzle.

Mistakes:

• Too much garlic may overpower the creaminess.

• Skipping lime makes the sauce taste flat.

• Adding too much water ruins the creamy texture.

🧄 FAQ

1. Can I make this sauce vegan?

Yes—use vegan mayo and vegan yogurt.

2. Can I store it overnight?

Yes, and it becomes even more flavorful the next day.

3. Why is my sauce too thick?

Add a small spoonful of water or a little yogurt.

🧄 Summary

This creamy garlic sauce is smooth, flavorful, and perfect for dipping or drizzling. It’s a simple comfort sauce that complements almost any Dominican snack or meal.

🌺 Final Thoughts

Dominican sauces are big on flavor yet simple at heart. Whether you're making the savory Salsa Criolla, the herbal Wasakaka Verde, or the creamy garlic sauce, each recipe offers a taste of Dominican warmth and everyday comfort.

Making homemade sauces isn’t difficult—they’re quick, satisfying, and elevate any meal instantly. Try each recipe one at a time, enjoy the process, and don’t forget to share your results with friends and family. If you'd like more Dominican recipes, I’m here anytime to help you create more!

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