If you love to dip your foods, then the Cowboy Dipping sauce is perfect. We especially love to dip Tater Tots or French Fries in this 2 ingredient recipe but that's not all. Use this recipe for the best Onion Ring Dipping sauce ever. It's sweet and savory in every bite.
The brand of BBQ Sauce you choose changes the whole flavor profile too. And I'll walk you through my favorites below. It's like a fry sauce but so much more. Just two ingredients, mixed together and somehow it's better than the sum of it's parts.
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Posted May 2019 ~ Updated July 2021
Tater Tot Dipping sauce is especially good when eating this fun and easy Tater Tot Kabob recipe loaded with bacon, cheese, tomato, and onions. But truly we love to dip Burritos, Air Fryer Crinkle Cut Fries, Quesadillas, and even Air Fryer Onion Rings in this sauce. Don't stop there because you can also dip Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, Air Fryer Waffle Fries and Air Fryer Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
Shopping List for Cowboy Sauce
- BBQ Sauce ~ We love Sweet Baby Rays
- Ranch Dressing ~ Hidden Valley Ranch is our favorite
How to make Tater Tot Dipping Sauce
This quick recipe is so quick you will miss it if you scroll to fast. In a bowl combine BBQ Sauce and Ranch Dressing. Stir to combine and enjoy! Feel free to adjust proportions as you like.
The Classic Ratio
As described in the recipe this recipe is 1 part BBQ Sauce and 2 parts Ranch Dressing. This gives a nice lighter brown color when combined and the sweetness of the BBQ Sauce does not over power the Ranch Dressing.
The Equal Ratio
1 Part BBQ Sauce to 1 Part Ranch Dressing. This will give a bolder BBQ flavor and will be a slightly thinner sauce. This is best as a spread on burgers or even burritos and a favorite among BBQ lovers.
The BBQ Forward Ratio
2 parts BBQ to 1 part Ranch. For those who like Ranch but want a little less. This combination gives a hint of ranch and the savory herbs while letting the BBQ shine big and bold. It's wonderful for dipping Chicken Nuggets, Chicken Tenders, or even Ribs.
My suggestion is to start with the classic ratio and adjust to taste. Make sure to test small batches before committing to a full bowl.
BBQ Sauce Brand Guide
Sweet Baby Rays Hickory and Brown Sugar or Classic are family favorites. Loaded with flavor and sweet notes throughout. Sweet, thick, molasses bbq sauce. The sauce will be creamy and something everyone can enjoy.
Blue Hog: Classic, Original or Smoky Mountain. Each of these sauces gives a distinct flavor profile as you can imagine. For a more smoky earthy flavor go with the Smoky Mountain. The dipping sauce with be more smoky and savory. The Original and Classic have sweeter notes. Overall this BBQ Sauce is a thiner sauce with a strong bbq flavor.
Kinder's BBQ Sauce: With a variety of flavors the Sweet Heat or the Hot are great choices for anyone who loves a kick.
Sugar Free Option: For low-carb/keto readers. With a husband who watches his sugar intake he is always looking for sugar free options. And his favorite happens to be G Hughes Sugar Free.
Do you have a favorite BBQ Sauce? I'd love to hear what you have tried! Leave a comment below.
What to Serve it With
Cowboy sauce is our go to for Frozen Tater Tots in Air Fryer and the best tater tot dipping sauce in my opinion. The BBQ and Ranch combo was made for a crispy tot. And every bite is delicious.
It's really a toss up because dipping Air Fryer Onion Rings into this sauce recipe is also better than anything from a restaurant. Hands down delicious.
Just skip the ketchup, Cowboy Sauce on Crinkle Cut Fries is a game changer. It's a fantastic french fry dipping sauce.
And don't forget to spread it on your favorite burgers instead of ketchup and mayo. It ties all the flavors together as the perfect dipping sauce for burgers.
But what about Chicken Nuggets, Dino Nuggets, or even Chicken Patties in the Air Fryer. The great news is all of these can be dipped into cowboy sauce for an added punch of flavor.
Fun Fact
Tater Tots is a form of hash browns made by Ore-Ida. Tater Tots were first available in stores in 1956. Americans consume approximately 70 million pounds of tater tots per year.
What does Cowboy Dipping Sauce taste Like?
Using the measurements below in the recipe card, it’s a sweet, tangy dipping sauce. You can always add more BBQ Sauce for more sweetness. But our personal preference of measurements are listed below.
How to Store Dipping Sauce
Serve cold or chilled and is easily doubled or tripled if needed for parties, cookouts or even game day.
Make ahead as this sauce can keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.
Service in a small ramekin or bowl but make sure to have your favorite sides to dip into.
Variations for Dipping Sauce
Spicy Cowboy Sauce: Use a spicy BBQ sauce + standard ranch dressing. Then add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne to this classic recipe.
Honey Cowboy Sauce: Use Honey BBQ Sauce which adds sweetness.
Smoky Cowboy Sauce: Try a hicory or mesquite BBQ Sauce for a deeper more complex flavor.
Light Version: Use light ranch or a reduced sugar BBQ Sauce. Same great flavor with fewer calories and carbs
Extra Creamy: Add 1 tablespoon sour cream or greek yogurt to the classic ratio. It's thicker with a little tang.
Garlic Kick: Add ¼ teaspoon garlic powder. This will elevate the savory ranch flavor.
Tater Tot Dipping Sauce FAQ's
BBQ Sauce and Ranch Dressing. The classic ratio is 1 part BBQ Sauce to 2 parts Ranch. Simple but the combination is genuinely addictive.
Sweet Baby Rays is our go to. It's sweet, thick and mixes beautifully with Ranch.
Tater Tots, Onion Rings, French Fries, Curly Fries, Burgers, Chicken Nuggets, Dino Nuggets, Burritos or as a veggie dip. Anything that benefits from a creamy, BBQ flavored sauce.
Up to 2 weeks in an airtight container. Stir before serving as it may separate slightly.
Yes, the flavors melt together better after a few hours in the fridge. Make it the night before for parties or cookouts.
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Cowboy Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ Cup Ranch Dressing
- ¼ Cup BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- In a bowl combine Ranch Dressing and BBQ and stir.
- Adjust the amounts of BBQ Sauce as needed for your own personal flavor.
Notes
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.
Nutrition
Lana
This was delicious..everyone loved it
Susan
It’s great, and easy too!
Thank you