Chinese Garlic Sauce
This Chinese garlic sauce recipe is a true standout. With a perfect balance of sweet and savory seasoning, it’s a great way to add extra flavor to many dishes. We will be using freshly minced ginger and garlic, along with chili, brown sugar, soy sauce and vinegar. This combination works excellent together. An addition of sesame oil elevates this recipe even further, and the result will transform your meal.
I first came across this sauce in Brooklyn while I was enjoying a takeout meal. Its flavors and texture amazed me. I went back to the same restaurant day after day. Eventually, I outright purchased their garlic sauce and started adding it to my own homemade dishes, whether they were baked, grilled, stir-fried, steamed or even noodle dishes. Years went by. I began to crave that same sweet & spicy garlic sauce and tried to recreate this recipe from my memory of its flavor profile. And I think that I’ve finally reached perfection.
Fresh ginger and garlic are the key to this recipe’s appeal. Brown sugar adds sweetness while soy sauce adds a salty depth. Sesame oil introduces a nutty richness and cornstarch adds the perfect thickness and texture. The simplicity of these ingredients ensures that you likely already have them in your pantry. If not, they should easily be found in your local store. This garlic sauce can easily be made in advance and stores fresh in a refrigerator for up to two weeks.
I encourage you to share your experience in the comments below if you tried this Chinese Garlic Sauce Recipe or made it differently. If you took a photo, please share with me on my instagram account ‘zesty_zahra’ and I will share your stories there. I am always happy to learn about people’s food choices and preferences!
Chinese Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp Brown Sugar
- ½ cup Soy Sauce
- 1 cup Water
- ¼ cup Vinegar
- 2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch
- 4 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 2 tbsp Garlic minced
- 2 tbsp Ginger minced
- 2 Thai Chili thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl add sugar, soy sauce, water, vinegar, pepper flakes and cornstarch. Whisk together and set aside.
- Heat a medium-size skillet over medium heat. Add oil, garlic, ginger, chili and sauté until golden brown (about 3 to 5 minutes).
- Reduce heat to low-medium. Add whisked sauce and keep stirring until sauce thickens (about one minute). Remove from heat.