This 5-ingredient spicy sauce is the perfect sandwich spread for a grilled reuben but makes a delicious dip for shrimp, too. Stir it together in just a minute and keep it handy in the fridge for dozens of uses.

A mason jar of homemade spicy sauce in front of sliced bread.

I look forward to making my favorite grilled turkey reubens for St. Patrick's Day every spring.

Normally, I use prepared Thousand Island dressing for the sauce but I finally found the perfect homemade spicy sauce substitute.

Made with just 5 ingredients you likely already have on hand, this creamy sandwich spread also makes a delicious dip for shrimp.

The best part? You can adjust the cayenne pepper to make it as mild or as spicy as you prefer!

Why This is the Best Recipe

Quick and Easy: I love recipes where you just measure and stir. This adds so much flavor to your sandwich with hardly any effort.
You Control the Spice: Some prepared sandwich spreads are too spicy or not spicy enough. You can easily adjust this for your family's preferences.
Fun to Use: Once you taste it, you'll find all kinds of easy ways to use the sauce on sandwiches, as a dip, and more!

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Ingredients

You likely have all of these easy ingredients on hand in your fridge or pantry:

Mayonnaise: I used one made with olive oil so it is lighter, but you can use whichever mayo you prefer.
Ketchup
Prepared Horseradish: Not horseradish sauce, just plain horseradish. I found ours in the seafood department at our grocery store.
Cayenne Pepper
Sugar

5-Minute Prep

This recipe couldn't be easier. Simply add the ingredients to a small mixing bowl and stir them together!

The ingredients for the spicy sauce are in the mixing bowl.

If you're nervous about the cayenne pepper, start with just a dash and taste it. You can always add a little more if you want it spicier.

The creamy sauce has been stirred together.

Look at that gorgeous creamy pink sandwich spread!

I love it on my favorite turkey reuben but it would be delicious with any sandwich made with roast beef, ham, or veggies!

A sandwich board has a jar of spicy sauce in a mason jar.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prep this sandwich spread up to 5 days in advance and keep it in the fridge in a sealed container like a mason jar.

Do not try to freeze it, the mayo will separate as it thaws.

Serving Suggestions

A grilled turkey reuben sandwich is on a plate with potato chips and baby carrots.

This spicy sauce is perfect spreading on a turkey reuben sandwich instead of Thousand Island dressing but you could use it as an appetizer dip like with these boudin balls.

I love to serve it in a dipping cup on a platter of these puff pastry reuben roll ups or as a shrimp dipping sauce with roasted shrimp.

It adds a nice kick to a classic BLT sandwich or roasted pork sandwich, too.