Halal Guys White Sauce Recipe

No visit to New York City is complete without stopping to eat at one of the many halal “street meat” carts, and the most popular of them all is by far The Halal Guys.

His food truck is located at 53rd Street and 6th Avenue, where tourists and locals alike wait patiently to eat dishes of chicken over yellow rice smothered in his famous white sauce

The Halal Guys White Sauce recipe is a closely guarded secret, but we think we’ve cracked the code.

How to make Halal Guys White Sauce

If you’ve never tried halal cart-style chicken, the basic concept is to take the chicken breast and thigh, brush them in a marinade, place them on a spit, and slow grill until the meat is juicy and tender.

The chicken is then served over a bowl of rice or rolled in pita bread along with iceberg lettuce, onions, tomatoes, hot sauce, and copious amounts of halal white sauce, the mysterious star of the show.

The Halal Guys recently published an ingredient list for their white sauce that contains egg yolk, confirming the use of mayonnaise as part of the base, but the rest is a closely guarded secret.

Greek yogurt, vinegar, and lemon juice are suspected to play a role, along with “natural flavors” and black pepper. Although we may never know the exact ingredients, it bears repeating!

This white sauce is made in less than 5 minutes and then sits in the fridge for 30 minutes to thicken. Best of all, it can be served with so much more than Halal Guys chicken!

Ingredients:

(8-10 servings)

• ½ cup of whole mayonnaise
• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground red pepper (optional)

Instructions:

This sauce takes minutes to prepare, but letting it thicken in the fridge for half an hour is the most important step.

For ease of use, put it in squeeze bottles and spray it on your dishes.

Step 1:

In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, vinegar, lemon juice, herbs, pepper, garlic, sugar, salt, and red pepper (if using).

Beat vigorously until the sauce is smooth and the spices are well incorporated.

Step 2:

Place the sauce in the refrigerator, uncovered, for 30 minutes to thicken. If it hasn’t thickened enough, add another tablespoon of yogurt.

Taste and adjust salt levels if necessary.

Step 3:

Serve and enjoy!

Ingredient Substitution

The nice thing about halal white sauce is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the recipes, which leaves plenty of room for experimentation.

Here are some substitutions that will work for this recipe.

1. Sour cream

If you don’t like Greek yogurt or just don’t have it on hand, sour cream is a great substitute.

Sour cream has a similar flavor and creamy texture, but it’s not as thick as Greek yogurt. Let the sauce thicken in the fridge for a little longer if you’re using sour cream, but you don’t have to go crazy.

2. Lime juice

There are two acidic components in this recipe, and both are necessary. Although cutting out citrus is not recommended, if you don’t like lemon, lime juice is a good substitute.

Avoid the limes, as they will make the sauce too sweet.

3. Fresh herbs

If you prefer to use fresh herbs instead of dried, no problem! Fresh herbs work very well in this recipe and are definitely recommended.

To use fresh herbs, double the amount (1 tsp dried herbs = 2 tsp fresh herbs) and make sure the herbs are finely chopped before adding them to the bowl.

4. White wine vinegar

Use white wine vinegar instead of distilled white vinegar for a more nuanced and delicate sauce.

With what to accompany the Halal Guys white sauce

This sauce was made to accompany halal meat, and while chicken is the most popular option, there are countless meats and vegetables that go well with it.

You should opt for highly seasoned meats so that the sauce is not overwhelming, and grilled or roasted preparations are always a hit.

Grilled Chicken Salad

Everyone loves a grilled chicken salad with a creamy dressing, and this dip is a wonderful substitute for traditional blue or ranch cheese.

Use a hearty green as the base for salad and spicy grilled chicken!

Lamb

Like chicken, lamb is a staple in halal food, and its meat is used in many gyro recipes. This sauce goes well with lamb in any preparation, although it is traditionally served as a condiment.

If you’re making lamb burgers, use this sauce instead of the mayonnaise, or serve it as a dipping sauce for lamb chops.

Cabbage salad

Believe it or not, this sauce makes a great dressing for coleslaw. The mayonnaise and dairy base, along with the acidic component, produce an effect similar to coleslaw dressing.

The spices will complement the coleslaw mix and give it an extra addictive kick.

Steak

The traditional cream sauce with steak is horseradish cream, and while it’s a glorious combination of flavors, not everyone is a fan of horseradish.

This white sauce not only provides a creamy contrast to the steak’s golden crust, but the acidity will also help cut through some of the fat and centralize the flavor of the steak without competing with it.

The next time you’re craving a steak, make this sauce. It may be your new favorite pairing.

Asparagus

Asparagus love a creamy sauce and this one is perfect for them. It’s lighter than bearnaise, much easier to make, and can be enjoyed with asparagus hot or cold.

While it works well with both white and green asparagus, the optimal choice is green asparagus, as it is more intense and herbaceous than white and supports herbs and spices better.

How to Preserve Halal Guys White Sauce

Halal Guys White Sauce is super easy to store and super easy to scale up, so you can make a big batch and reserve the extra for future use.

Store it in the fridge

This white sauce keeps up to 1 week in the fridge.

If you have already transferred the sauce to a squeeze bottle, you can store it in the bottle with the cap closed. If you didn’t use a seasoning bottle, simply pour the sauce into an airtight container.

The sauce will continue to thicken as it sits in the fridge, so let it come to room temperature and stir before using. If it gets too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

Store in the freezer

This sauce keeps very well in the freezer for up to 3 months. Pour into a freezer-safe container or bag and remove as much air as possible before freezing to prevent ice crystals.

To thaw, place in the fridge for 12-24 hours before using, or thaw on the counter for 3-4 hours.

The consistency may change slightly once thawed. If this happens, beat vigorously in a mixing bowl until the consistency is just right. Dilute with water, one tablespoon at a time, if necessary.

Don’t refreeze.