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The Best Sauce Dishes

Shebeko/Shutterstock.com
🕚 Updated February 2023

Sauce dishes are a staple for any kitchen or dining room setting. They make it easy to organize your condiments for meals and add an elegant touch to any platter. Here are our picks to elevate your next dinner party.

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  Top Choice Most Colorful Best with Spoons Best for Dipping Cutest Design
 
  Delling
Ceramic Dipping Sauce Bowls
Sweese
Porcelain Bowls
BestySuperStore
Tiny Wooden Bowls for Condiments
LIFVER
Dipping Bowls
BigNoseDeer
Cat Ceramic Sauce Dishes
 
Our SummaryThese dishes come in a classic style that works for most decor schemes.This fun set of various colors with a playful design make these bowls perfect for dinner parties.This unique wooden set of dishes offers a variety of sizes and features complementary spoons.This wide-mouthed set of bowls are made perfect for holding sauces.This fun set of cat-inspired dishes can work as a conversation piece for your next gathering.
Pros✓ Available in four colors
✓ Set of six
✓ Affordable
✓ Dishwasher-safe
✓ Set of six
✓ Large 10-ounce capacity
✓ Assorted color ways available
✓ Microwave-, dishwasher-, and oven-safe
✓ Made from Acacia wood
✓ Comes with matching spoons
✓ Available in four different diameters
✓ Set of eight
✓ Wide mouth to prevent spills
✓ Freezer-, oven-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe
✓ Set of six with different design on each
✓ Choose from two sizes
✓ Heat-resistant
✓ Dishwasher-safe
Cons✗ Ideal for individual use✗ Bowls may chip easily✗ May be impractical for some given their tiny size✗ Bowls may chip easily✗ May be impractical for some given their small size
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The Best Sauce Dishes

Five sauces in bowls with spoons on a table.
Shebeko/Shutterstock.com

Buying Guide for Sauce Dishes

Sauces in small white bowls.
Kristine Dzalbe/Shutterstock.com

Why buy sauce dishes?

Sauce dishes are a practical and convenient way to display all of your favorite sauces for meals. They make it easy for you to dip all of your favorite foods in your choice of condiments. They also streamline dinner parties and large meals because you don’t have to constantly return to your fridge to replenish your sauces at the table. Sauce dishes are a great accompaniment for appetizers, and you can easily display your sauce dishes on a serving tray or lazy Susan.

What should you look for in sauce dishes?

  • Material: Choosing a sauce dish made of a durable material that won’t shatter or crack and that’s easy to clean is essential. Porcelain sauce dishes are a classic, elegant choice, but they can easily chip or break when mishandled. Stainless steel is a sleek, heavy-duty alternative, but it can’t be microwaved, so that’s also something to consider.
  • Size: Small sauce dishes are great for condiments, as well as dishes that often require several dipping sauces, like sushi, egg rolls, or wings. On the other hand, large sauce dishes are perfect for pestos, salsas, dips, and dressings.
  • Quantity: If you’re using your sauce dishes for everyday meals, you’ll probably only need two to three for your daily-dining needs. If you love hosting large dinner parties or potlucks, you’ll probably need at least six to eight sauce dishes. Having enough dishes to display your favorite sauces easily is important, so choosing a set that best suits your serving needs is essential.

What’s the best way to clean your sauce dishes?

Most sauce dishes can be easily washed in a dishwasher with your choice of detergent, depending on the material. If your sauce dish is made from a delicate material like glass or porcelain, you may want to opt for hand-washing since those materials are prone to cracking when exposed to high temperatures.

Our Picks for the Best Sauce Dishes

Top Choice

Delling Ceramic Dipping Sauce Bowls

These dishes come in a classic style that works for most decor schemes.

Pros: Sometimes, you want a simple set of sauce dishes that aren’t meant to be the main event for your dinner party or get-together. This set of six sauce dishes is designed to hold up to three ounces. They’re made from ceramic for added durability and come in a choice of solid hues to be unobtrusive on your dinner table. These dishes are microwave, and dishwasher-safe and are oven-safe up to 590 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cons: These are truly small dishes that are better for individual use dipping sauces rather than larger dishes for shared use between people.

Bottom Line: Durability and practicality combine with this set of sturdy dipping sauce dishes. They’re a discreet, reliable choice to keep the party going.

 

Most Colorful

Sweese Porcelain Bowls

This fun set of various colors with a playful design makes these bowls perfect for dinner parties.

Pros: When you’re ready to bring some life to your table, this six-piece set of 10-ounce porcelain bowls is a great addition. Their unique modern curved shape makes them easy to hold while eating and easy to stack once they’re cleaned and need to be put away. Besides being dishwasher-, oven-, and microwave-safe, the larger size makes them ideal for side dishes or even serving ice cream. Choose from the hot assorted and blue assorted colors.

Cons: Some shoppers noted that these bowls have a tendency to chip easily.

Bottom Line: If you want a set of dishes that can seamlessly shift between sauces and more substantial fare, this six-piece set is perfect.

 

Best with Spoons

BestySuperStore Tiny Wooden Bowls for Condiments

This unique wooden set of dishes offers a variety of sizes and features complementary spoons.

Pros: If you’re ready for something other than the standard ceramic or porcelain choices, these Acacia wood bowls are a great change from the routine. You’ll get a set of four wooden bowls that also come complete with matching wood serving spoons. Choose from four diameters ranging from 2.75 inches to 3.75 inches. They’re food-safe and toxin-free and are made to be resistant to water and stains.

Cons: These might not be practical for shared sauce, given the tiny nature of each bowl.

Bottom Line: Bring character to your next dinner party with these authentic Acacia hardwood sauce bowls. A little more natural yet beautiful, these can be a wonderful addition to your dining area.

 

Best for Dipping

LIFVER Dipping Bowls

This wide-mouthed set of bowls are made perfect for holding sauces.

Pros: When you need to serve a wide array of sauces, and you want to make it easy for people to enjoy them, you need bowls that can practically double as gravy boats. This eight-piece set of porcelain dipping sauce dishes features a wide mouth that makes access significantly easier. Each bowl can hold up to three ounces and offers an extended edge to prevent spoons from dropping into the sauce. Note that these are freezer-, oven-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe.

Cons: Some reviewers commented that these bowls chip easily.

Bottom Line: Although still small in terms of capacity, these bowls are designed for easy access. Pour your favorite soy sauce or load it with ketchup for all your dipping needs.

 

Cutest Design

BigNoseDeer Cat Ceramic Sauce Dishes

This fun set of cat-inspired dishes can work as a conversation piece for your next gathering.

Pros: Who says that your dishware has to be boring? This six-piece set of cat-themed ceramic sauce dishes is the perfect way to bring a bit of whimsy to your dinner or buffet table. Each of these bowls is heat-resistant, stackable, and dishwasher-safe. Note that you can choose from two sizes, 2.8 and 3.1 inches.

Cons: The small size may be impractical for some people.

Bottom Line: Pet lovers and whimsy fans alike will love these cat-tastic bowls. Celebrating and enjoying the party just got even more fun with these cat-themed dishes at the center of your table.

Final Thoughts

Sauce dishes are a staple at most dinner parties, potlucks, and picnics. They’re convenient and versatile, making it a breeze to serve your favorite condiments and side dishes. They’re also durable, easy to clean, and the perfect complement for your next meal.

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