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Chinese Garlic Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 93 reviews

This vibrant Chinese Garlic Sauce is a versatile and flavorful blend perfect for stir-fries, vegan dumplings, or as a dipping sauce. Made with a harmonious mix of vegetable broth, low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, and aromatic spices, it adds a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and spicy notes to your favorite Asian dishes. Quick to prepare and easy to store, it’s a pantry staple for enhancing meals with authentic Chinese flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

For The Sauce:

  • ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable broth
  • 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • ½ tsp sesame oil
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • ¼ tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • ½ tsp Szechuan peppercorns (optional)
  • 2 tsp Chinese rice wine or dry sherry (optional)

For The Pan:

  • ½ tbsp vegetable oil
  • 4 tsp fresh garlic, minced (about 4 garlic cloves)
  • 2 tsp fresh ginger, minced

Instructions

  1. Prepare the sauce mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, combine vegetable broth, low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, cornstarch, Szechuan peppercorns, and Chinese rice wine or dry sherry if using. Whisk everything thoroughly until the cornstarch is dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Set this sauce mixture aside to use later.
  2. Sauté aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger, sautéing for 30 to 60 seconds while stirring frequently until fragrant but not browned. This step builds the aromatic base essential to the sauce’s flavor.
  3. Cook the sauce: Whisk the sauce mixture again briefly, then pour it into the saucepan with the sautéed garlic and ginger. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens to a glossy, sauce-like consistency. Continue stirring frequently during this time to ensure even cooking.
  4. Use or store the sauce: Use the sauce immediately as a flavorful addition to stir-fries, as a dip for vegan dumplings or summer rolls, or for other dishes needing a garlicky, tangy sauce. Alternatively, let the sauce cool completely before transferring it to a clean jar. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 or 5 days.

Notes

  • Low-sodium soy sauce is recommended to control salt content, but regular soy sauce can be used if preferred.
  • Maple syrup adds natural sweetness, but you can substitute with honey or agave nectar.
  • Cornstarch acts as a thickener; you can substitute with arrowroot powder or tapioca starch if needed.
  • Vegetable oil should be neutral-flavored like canola or sunflower oil for best results.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to taste to make the sauce milder or spicier.
  • Chinese rice wine or dry sherry adds depth but is optional; omit for alcohol-free versions.
  • Store the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat gently before use.

Keywords: Chinese Garlic Sauce, Garlic Sauce Recipe, Chinese Sauce, Stir-fry Sauce, Vegan Garlic Sauce, Asian Sauce, Quick Garlic Sauce

Find it online: https://tastemadebyclara.com/chinese-garlic-sauce-recipe/