Chinese dumplings have been a popular appetizer for at least two centuries. Chewy, thin dough wrapping juicy fillings that are steamed, boiled, and fried. However, there is no perfect dumpling without a delicious dipping sauce. Therefore, in this article, you will know how to make the dumpling sauce. The recipes that we have collected vary, from the simplest to a sophisticated ones.
Some of the dipping sauces can be used for marinating the meats or as flavor boosters for noodles or rice.
Chinese Hot Chili Oil
This is one of the best dumpling sauce recipes which is very easy to make. This dipping sauce is commonly found in many Chinese restaurants. It just needs three main ingredients.
The best thing about Chinese hot chili oil is you can use it for noodles sauce and stir-fry dishes. You can store the dipping sauce in the fridge and it will last up to a month. Just make sure to store it in an airtight jar.
If you often use chili oil, double the recipe so you can make a larger batch. Adjust also the amount of chili pepper you like.
Ingredients
- 12 small dried chilies
- 1 tbsp sesame oil (optional)
- 1/2 cup peanut oil (you can also use regular oil)
Instructions
- First, cut the dried chili stems and remove the seeds. If you like a stronger taste, you can skip this step. It is fine if you want to include the seeds.
- Using a processor, chop the chili until it turns into coarse flakes. You can use the blender for this step. Later, you will have around 2 tablespoons of chili flakes.
- Get your heat-resistant jar. Make sure it has a seal. Then, transfer the chili flakes there.
- Heat your skillet on medium-high heat. Let it heat until it starts smoking, and continue to heat it for around 15 seconds. Remove it from the heat.
- Wait for around 3 minutes and then pour the oil into the chili flakes carefully.
- Let the mixture cool and then strain it. You can also keep the chili flakes in the oil to make it taste stronger, then store it in the fridge for 2 days before straining. Save the strained chili flakes for another recipe if you want.
- Use the chili oil as a dipping sauce for dumplings or for noodle sauce.
Tips
- Use plastic gloves when you touch chili peppers. Remember to wash your hands with soap and warm water once you have finished.
- If you want something simpler, you can use the store-bought chili flakes. Just make sure you buy the one with good quality.
- Don’t pour the hot oil directly into the chili flakes. Wait for 3 minutes. Hot oil will burn the flakes and ruin the taste.
Soy Ginger Sauce
Soy ginger sauce is best served with pan-fried dumplings or Xiaolongbao. Making this sauce is very easy. You just need some ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, minced ginger, and white pepper. This dumpling sauce can also be used to marinate seafood. You can also use this mix to flavor the noodles or rice.
There is a fun fact about ginger in Chinese culture. It is often called “the ginseng for the poor”. In Chinese culture, ginger is believed can soothe the digestive system and also improve nausea. Besides, ginger has an anti-inflammatory agent. So, why skip this sauce if it is delicious and healthy, right?
There is also another similar ginger sauce which is used to serve with steamed crab. The ginger is chopped and then mixed with white vinegar. If you feel the vinegar is too strong, you can add a bit of sugar to the sauce to balance the taste.
Ingredients
Soy Ginger Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 pinch of white pepper
- 2 tsp minced ginger
- Sesame oil
Xiaolongbao Sauce
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 3 lengthwise slices of ginger
- 1 tsp black vinegar
Ginger and Rice Vinegar Sauce
- 2 tsp chopped ginger
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
- 1 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar
How to make dumpling sauce
Soy Ginger Sauce
- Mix all the ingredients.
- Serve it as a dumpling dipping sauce or you can pour it over noodles or rice.
Xiaolongbao Sauce
- Mix all the ingredients
- Serve it as a dipping sauce for dumplings or Xiaolongbao.
Ginger and Rice Vinegar Sauce
- Mix all the ingredients.
- Serve it as a dipping sauce for steamed prawns or crab.
Chinese Dumpling Dipping Sauce
This is another popular Chinese dipping sauce. You can adjust the seasonings and suit them to your preferences. The ingredients are simple. You just need soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, chili oil, and rice wine vinegar.
This typical sauce is usually served with jiaozi. It also tastes great when it is combined with dumplings that have vegetables, prawns, or egg fillings.
To save time, you can buy chili oil like Sichuan peppercorn oil. It will give a nice kick to your taste bud.
Ingredients
Chili Oil
- 1 tsp chili powder or chili flakes
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
For the sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Chinese rice vinegar
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp chili oil (or more if you like)
Instructions
How to make chili oil
- Mix all the chili oil ingredients.
- Place the chili into a heatproof bowl.
- Heat the 2 tablespoons of oil.
- Pour the hot oil into the bowl and let it cool.
- You can store the chili oil in an airtight jar and put it in the fridge.
How to make dumpling sauce
- Mix garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and 1 tsp of chili oil. Whisk the ingredients.
- Serve the sauce with your favorite dumplings.
Tips
- You can add chopped scallions or strips of ginger to boost the flavor and add crunchiness.
- If you like to make it sweet, you can add a tsp of sugar. Brown sugar is better.
Classic Chinese Duck Sauce
The Chinese duck sauce or plum sauce is one of the most popular dipping sauces. It is made of sugar, plum, apricot, and spices. To get the best flavor, you must prepare it in advance because this requires you to let the sauce sit for two weeks.
Besides dumplings, this sauce is also great for spring rolls or as a condiment for roast meats. You can also add the plum sauce to rice, noodles, or stir-fried vegetables.
Ingredients
Fruit Mixture
- 1 pound apricot, halved
- 1 pound plum, halved
- 1 cup cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 3/4 water
Brown Sugar Mixture
- 1 cup cider vinegar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
Spice Mixture
- 1/4 cup ginger, peeled and cupped
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 serrano chili pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, sliced
- 4 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp mustard seeds (toasted)
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Add 1 cup cider vinegar, apricots, plums, water, and balsamic vinegar to a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the mixture for around 15 minutes.
- In a separate saucepan, add brown sugar, 1 cup of cider vinegar, white sugar, and lemon juice, then bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook it until it is bubbling. Remove from the heat and let it cool for around 5 minutes.
- Pour the brown sugar mixture into the fruit mixture. Add chili, onion, ginger, salt, cinnamon stick, and mustard seeds. Simmer it for around 45 minutes. Then, remove the cinnamon stick.
- Pour the mixture into a blender or food processor. Process it until it is smooth.
- Pour the mixture into a saucepan, and simmer it until it is thickening.
- Prepare the canning jar. Sterilize it first by putting it in boiling water.
- Next, pour the duck sauce into the jar and let it cool in a room temperature. Then, tighten the cap and store it in the refrigerator for around 2 weeks before using.
- Serve it as a dipping sauce or as a condiment for chicken, duck, spare ribs, or pork.
Sweet Dumpling Sauce
This sweet dumpling sauce is very versatile. It can be used as a dumpling dipping sauce, or for Korean pancake sauce. Yes, this sauce recipe is originally from Korea. It boosts the flavor of the dish with its sweet and tangy flavor. We provide you with two versions of dipping sauces; one is kid-friendly and another one has a punchy flavor.
Ingredients
Base Sauce
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 4 tablespoon soy sauce
- 4 tablespoon water
- 4 tablespoon rice vinegar
Optional Ingredients
- 10-gram onion, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon green onion, chopped
- 1 red chili (optional)
Instructions
Base Sauce
Mix the ingredients in a bowl. Refrigerate the sauce overnight before using it for pancakes or dumplings. You can also boil the sauce but use the low heat. And then, let it cool.
Kids-friendly Sauce
Mix the 7 tablespoons of base sauce with sliced onion. Serve it as you need it.
For Spicy Version
- Mix 7 tablespoons of base sauce with the optional ingredients. Adjust the spiciness on your own. You can add chili flakes or red chili for a punchy taste.
- Serve it with dumplings.
FAQs
Do soy sauce and vinegar go together?
In Asian cooking, vinegar is often used to cut the saltiness of the soy sauce. You can use balsamic vinegar because it has a perfect acidity and sweetness which works together with soy sauce and brown sugar.
Which vinegar is best for dumplings?
If you are a Chinese food lover, you probably have come across Chinkiang vinegar. This is a staple ingredient in Chinese cooking. It has a perfect acidic, tangy, and sweet flavor.
The Chinkiang vinegar is made of glutinous rice. It has a more complex taste than other vinegar varieties. For example white vinegar. It has a sharp-sour taste while the Chinkiang vinegar is so earthy. It is not as sweet as balsamic vinegar.
That is all our quick guide on how to make dumpling sauce. Check also our best guide to a Chinese hot pot.