Restaurant Style Mexican White Sauce
May 11, 2021, Updated Oct 15, 2024
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This Mexican white sauce is a creamy, flavorful sauce that is typically served alongside chips at some Mexican restaurants. Not a cheese dip, this white salsa has a garlicky flavor that is so good on everything.
My husband introduced me to this Mexican white sauce when we went to visit his parents in Newport News, Virginia. One of his favorite restaurants, Plaza Azteca, brings a big bowl of this sauce out with the salsa and chips. The first time I tasted it, I couldn’t stop eating it with my chips, I even poured it all over my tacos it’s so good. This recipe is my version of this Virginia favorite. Enjoy!
What is Mexican White Sauce?
Sometimes referred to as “salsa blanca”, or white salsa, this Mexican white sauce is similar to ranch and is served with salsa at many Mexican restaurants in the Hampton Roads Virginia area. According to the Virginian Pilot, it’s thought to have originated from a restaurant named El Toro and actually was first served as a salad dressing.
Ingredients
- Miracle Whip – This is the secret ingredient to this sauce. You could substitute with mayonnaise but the Miracle Whip gives it the authentic restaurant flavor.
- Sour Cream – This helps to balance out the sweetness in the Miracle Whip. You can use full or light sour cream.
- Milk – Helps to think out the sauce. You can adjust the amount depending if you would like the sauce thicker or thinner.
- Garlic Powder – Gives this dip it’s delicious garlicky flavor.
- Cumin – Cumin adds a bit of smoky flavor.
- Oregano – I know oregano sounds strange but this dried herb contributes great taste to this sauce.
- Crushed Red Pepper – Adds a little heat to the sauce. If you like really spicy, feel free to add extra.
- Jalapeno Brine – This is the juice you can find in the pickled jalapeno jar. Adds another layer of flavor.
- Chopped Pickled Jalapenos – These can be left out but I like the flavor and texture they add.
How To Make Mexican White Sauce
This comes together quick and easy. The key is letting it chill in the refrigerator.
- Mix together Miracle Whip, sour cream, milk, crushed red pepper flake, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, jalapeno brine and pickled jalapenos in a food processor.
- Place in a sealable container and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours.
How To Serve
This is delicious used as a dipping sauce for chips, fries, and vegetables. It could also be used as a salad dressing or a sauce for quesadillas, tacos, wraps, even hamburgers.
Heather’s Recipe Tips
- Let it sit. I recommend letting this sit in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. This gives the flavors a chance to come together to make this amazing sauce.
- Mixing. If you don’t have a food processor or blender, you can just stir this up with a spoon. Just be sure to chop up the jalapenos before mixing.
- How to make it thinner. You can add a little milk if you prefer a thinner sauce.
How to store leftovers
If you have any sauce leftover, keep it in a jar or airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay good for about 1 week.
More Easy Sauce Recipes
Have you had Mexican white sauce at a restaurant? Let us know how this recipe compares.
Mexican White Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Miracle Whip
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flake
- 3/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 tablespoon jalapeno brine The juice from pickled jalapeno jar.
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapenos
Instructions
- Place Miracle Whip, sour cream, milk, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, jalapeno brine and pickled jalapenos in a food processor or blender.
- Pulse until combined and jalapenos are chopped.
- Pour in airtight container and store in refrigerator until ready to eat. Best if it can refrigerate for 24 hours.
Video
Notes
- Let it sit. I recommend letting this sit in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. This gives the flavors a chance to come together to make this amazing sauce.
- Mixing. If you don’t have a food processor or blender, you can just stir this up with a spoon. Just be sure to chop up the jalapenos before mixing.
- How to make it thinner. You can add a little milk if you prefer a thinner sauce.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
You mentioned Newport News, but Richmond also has it at a Mexican restaurant on Southside called Rio Grande in 360 West Shipping Center on Hull Street Road. Searching for the same white salsa as Rio Grande offers, I’ve sampled the those offered by many other local Mexican restaurants, but none compare to Rio Grande. I’ve haunted the internet for an authentic recipe to no avail. One of them even my dogs refused to eat. But this one sounds like it’s Johnny on the spot! Anxious to try 🥺 I’ll let ya know! Thanks for posting it.
How long is this good for? I’m assuming a week but not sure. Thanks!
Yes, this should stay good for 4-5 days. thanks!
Can it be served warm?
The version I loved from Juan’s doesn’t have the chopped jalapeños! You can serve it warm, but I don’t suggest it! It is best Ice coke with warm tortilla chips on a hot summer day or even a cool fall evening. There is just something about the warm chip with the cool not too spicy dip that reminds me of the 20 years I spent making Hampton Roads Home! I miss things like this! Before this white sauce I didn’t eat even many chips. This sauce for some can be life changing! 😉