Wasakaka is a flavorful Dominican garlicky sauce that will greatly improve the flavor of any dish it is drizzled on.
Why we ❤️ it
A flavorful sauce that is served with a chicken roast, and a name only known in the Dominican Republic, it hit the international stage as a recurring joke in the Saturday Night Live sketch featuring "Big Papi" Ortiz (as portrayed by Kenan Thompson) [1]. The word is a mouthful, and funny-sounding, so it was perfect for the skit.
And now you want to know how to make wasakaka, OK, let me give you the sauce!
What is wasakaka?
Wasakaka –not to be confused with the Venezuelan guasacaca, which is an avocado sauce – is the sauce that accompanies a chicken roast that is actually the flagship dish of a popular chain of Dominican rotisserie chicken restaurants. Think of the Colonel, but with a tropical flair.
Wasakaka, served with chicken.
About this recipe
Let me be clear, the recipe for that restaurant sauce is not public knowledge. I have just guessed what it may contain based on its flavor and texture. It's a recipe that has been on this site for over ten years, and it's quite popular, so at least you know it's tasty. I just gave it its own home.
You can serve wasakaka over Dominican chicken roast, or boiled yuca. And no, we generally don't serve wasakaka con queso frito!
Video
Recipe
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[Recipe + Video] Wasakaka (Dominican Garlic Sauce)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 4 tablespoons mashed garlic
- ½ cup bitter orange juice, or lime juice
- ¼ cup minced parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt, or more, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon pepper (freshly-cracked, or ground), or more, to taste
Instructions
Making the sauce: To make the wasakaka, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and parsley, and cook stirring for a minute. Pour in bitter orange juice and 1 cup of water and simmer over low heat until it has reduced to half the liquid.Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serving: Serve sauce alongside the chicken or any meat of your preference.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated automatically based on ingredients listed. Please consult your doctor if you need precise nutrition information.
References
Published Sep 17, 2021, revised
