Make classic halal cart-style white sauce at home with this easy recipe! It's so creamy and tangy, perfect for topping chicken, shawarma, gyros, rice, so much more. Beware, it's addictive!

Homemade Halal Cart-Style White Sauce
If you've ever grabbed a plate of chicken and rice from a busy New York street cart, you know the sauce, that cool, creamy, tangy white sauce that ties it all together.
This easy homemade Halal White Sauce recipe brings those big city flavors right to your kitchen, made with just a handful of simple ingredients. This is very much like our favorite place, Halal Street Food, in Charlotte, NC. Yum!
We've been going there for years and I've always wanted to share my version of the halal cart white sauce. This is how I love to make it!
Let's talk about how to make Halal white sauce, shall we?
Halal White Sauce Ingredients
The full ingredients list with measurements is listed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Yogurt. Full fat plain yogurt Greek yogurt is ideal, or use full-fat sour cream.
- Mayonnaise.
- White Vinegar.
- Fresh Lemon Juice.
- Garlic.
- Parsley.
- Salt and Black Pepper. To taste.
- Optional. Sugar for a touch of balancing sweetness, water for thinning.
How to Make Halal White Sauce - the Recipe Overview
Add all of the ingredients to a mixing bowl. Whisk until very smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust the seasonings. If the sauce is too thick, whisk in 1–2 teaspoons water, vinegar, or lemon juice to thin to your desired consistency.

Cover, refrigerate, and chill at least 30 minutes for best flavor.
Makes about 1-1/4 cups.
Boom! Done! It's similar to the famous Halal Guys white sauce or other halal cart food trucks you enjoy, only made at home with simple ingredients.

Recipe Tips & Notes
- Best Mayo. Full egg yolk mayos like Kewpie or Duke’s are best for richer flavor. I love Duke's Mayo.
- Seasonings. Add a pinch of caraway, sumac, cardamom, or turmeric to customize your sauce. Make it your own!
- Make it Spicy. Add a pinch of cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce if you like a little heat with your white sauce.
- Make it Ahead - Best Served Cold. This sauce is best served chilled or cold straight from squeeze bottles, just like the street carts. Chill it for at least an hour before serving.
Serving Ideas
This sauce is great for drizzling over Halal chicken and rice, lamb gyros, or chicken shawarma wraps.
Use it as a dip for falafel, pita bread, or vegetables. It's also delicious as a salad dressing - just thin it with a bit of milk or extra lemon juice for salad with Middle Eastern flair.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is Halal White Sauce Made Of?
Halal white sauce is typically made with a base of mayonnaise and yogurt (or sour cream), plus vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, and simple seasonings like salt, pepper, and parsley.
Some versions add a touch of sugar or extra spices for more flavor.
Is Halal White Sauce Spicy?
Not by default! It’s designed to be cool and mild, balancing out the spicy red sauces often served with halal cart meals. You can add a pinch of cayenne if you want to spice it up.
How Can I Thin Out Halal White Sauce?
If your sauce is too thick, whisk in a little water, white vinegar, or lemon juice, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
Storage
Halal food white sauce will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. It is best served cold.
I do not recommend freezing it, as the mayo and yogurt base can separate and turn grainy once thawed.
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy this halal white sauce recipe. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how you served yours!
Try Some of My Other Mayo-Based Sauce Recipes
- Yum Yum Sauce is rich and creamy, popular with Japanese hibachi and sushi.
- For something a touch spicy and smoky, this Chipotle Mayo Recipe is perfection, just a dollop is all you need.
- This Remoulade Sauce adds zing and creaminess to Creole and Cajun cuisine.
- Alabama White BBQ Sauce is the sauce you didn't know you needed, awesome on grilled or fried chicken.
- Don't forget Classic Tartar Sauce, delicious for all of your seafood dishes.

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.

Halal White Sauce Recipe (NYC Cart-Style)
Ingredients
- ½ cup full fat plain yogurt Greek yogurt is ideal, or use full-fat sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional. 1 teaspoon sugar (or to personal taste), water for thinning
Instructions
- Add the yogurt (or sour cream), mayonnaise, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and optional sugar to a mixing bowl.
- Whisk everything together until very smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasonings. If the sauce is too thick, whisk in 1–2 teaspoons water, vinegar, or lemon juice to thin to your desired consistency.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Chill at least 30 minutes for best flavor.
- Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
Nutrition Information

Miska Knezevic says
Thanks for this recipe! I love it!
Mike Hultquist says
Absolutely! Thanks, Miska!
Darrell Blaker says
Do you have a recipe for the spicy red sauce that is usually served by the Halal carts? Been trying to find this sauce or. Recipe and not having any luck.
Mike Hultquist says
I'm working on that one, Darrell. I've been using sriracha for now, but I need to visit my local place a few more times to taste and test. Poor me!
Derek Smith says
Fantastic! Always good, Mike!
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Derek! Enjoy!
Connie Hoffman says
What can be substituted for mayonnaise?
I really don't like the taste of it.
Mike Hultquist says
Connie, you can use yogurt for this, though it won't quite be as rich. Still tasty, though. Let me know how it turns out.