Dumpling Sauce

This sauce is savory, tangy, and a little spicy. It makes dumplings taste even better. Use it for fried potstickers, steamed gyoza, or boiled dumplings. A good sauce ties all the flavors together. It also adds a nice finish to each bite.

The best sauce goes well with the filling inside the dumpling — juicy meat or crunchy vegetables. I remember dipping homemade jiaozi into soy sauce as a kid. That taste stayed with me. Now I make it for my own family, just like how I serve Canh Cà Chua Trứng or Bánh Mì Nachos on cozy nights. Each dish feels complete when the sauce is right.

Sometimes I want a Japanese-style sauce. It’s full of umami and a little sour. Other times I pick a Chinese dumpling sauce with scallions, fresh garlic, and sesame oil. The nutty flavor adds a tasty crunch to soft dumplings. It pairs beautifully with dishes like Udon Carbonara or Salmon Sushi Bake, where the umami notes really shine through.

The key is balance. It should be savory, spicy, and full of flavor. When it’s just right, your dumplings go from good to great. I also love using a touch of this sauce with Tuna Sushi Bake For One or Spicy Crab Sushi Bake Cupcakes — it brings out the layers of flavor and ties everything together.

What Makes a Good Dumpling Sauce?

A good dumpling sauce should excite your taste buds with a mix of flavors. For me, it must have the right balance of salty, spicy, tangy, and a hint of sweetness — all wrapped in rich umami. The beauty of a perfect sauce is when you find yourself dipping even after you’ve run out of dumplings. That’s when you know it’s just right!

The recipe I’m sharing here is my favorite blend, and I promise it does exactly that. Once you’ve made it, you’ll see how it elevates your meal — whether you’re serving dumplings, Bánh Mì Nachos, or even a cozy bowl of Canh Cà Chua Trứng. It’s that good. So don’t be surprised if you keep going back for more — this sauce truly hits the spot!

Chinese Dumpling Sauce Ingredients

To create the perfect dumpling sauce, the ingredients must blend beautifully together:

• Garlic: A single clove of minced garlic brings a pungent and slightly spicy undertone that perfectly infuses the sauce.
• Green onions: They add a refreshing crunch and a touch of sweetness, helping to balance the flavors.
• Soy sauce: The savory base of this sauce, with earthy and almost imperceptibly sweet flavors, is an absolute must for the recipe.
• Chinkiang vinegar: A fruity and tangy ingredient, often served with dim sum favorites like xiao long bao and ginger, it adds depth and complexity.
• Chili oil: A sesame-based chili oil provides nutty perfection with a bit of fire. If you’re sensitive to spicy foods, simply add a little at a time to find the right amount of heat.

These ingredients, when combined, will create a sauce with the perfect balance of flavors, ensuring every dumpling bite is deliciously complemented!

Japanese Dumpling Sauce Ingredients

• Soy Sauce: I always go with regular Japanese soy sauce for this recipe because it has a richer flavor compared to other soy sauces and offers a more balanced taste.
• Rice Vinegar: Rice vinegar is milder than other vinegars. It brings a fruity, tangy kick with a touch of sweetness, much like apple cider vinegar. It’s perfect for sushi rice, salad dressings, and pickling, and I always keep it around for various Asian dishes.
• Chili Oil: Just a teaspoon of chili oil is all you need to give the sauce a little heat. Your gyoza will taste amazing with this! You can grab it from the store or even make your own.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you’re having trouble finding some of the ingredients I mentioned or if you have any dietary restrictions, there are plenty of substitutions you can try to make a perfect dumpling sauce. Here’s how to adjust the recipe:

Soy Sauce

For soy sauce, if you’re gluten-free, you can swap it for tamari or liquid aminos. My go-to brand for soy sauce is Kikkoman, but you can use your favorite variety, whether it’s the original or a low-sodium soy sauce.

Chili Oil

For chili oil, I love using Momofuku’s Chili Crunch. It has the right spice level with just a touch of sweetness, making it perfect for creating balanced sauces. If you’re looking for something else, Lao Gan Ma’s Spicy Chili Crisp is another great option that adds a ton of flavor, even though it’s not as spicy.

You can also make your own homemade chili oil by infusing your favorite seasonings like garlic, onion, star anise, and dried chili peppers in a neutral oil such as vegetable oil, canola, or even avocado. Don’t forget to add a bit of sugar, sesame oil, and sesame seeds for that perfect touch.

I personally think chili oil is essential for this recipe, and I wouldn’t suggest replacing it with hot sauce.

Black Vinegar

When it comes to black vinegar, make sure you’re using Chinese black vinegar, not balsamic vinegar. I recommend Gold Plum Chinkiang Vinegar, but if you can’t find it, rice vinegar works too. It won’t have the same depth of flavor, but it’s a good substitution and works well in sauces. R

ice vinegar has a more delicate acidity and tanginess, which creates a very smooth and pleasant sauce. Plus, it’s easier to find in most grocery stores!

How to Make Dumpling Sauce

Making dumpling sauce at home is super simple and takes only 5 minutes! All you need are 5 ingredients: 2 tbs soy sauce, 1 tbs chili oil, 1 tsp black vinegar, 1 garlic clove (minced), and 1 green onion (sliced). Add them all into a small mixing bowl, stir well, and you’ll have a well balanced sauce with a perfect combination of spicy, tangy, and a touch of sour flavor. This is all you need to make a delicious sauce for your dumplings!

Step 1: Combine Ingredients

Start by adding the soy sauce, chili oil, black vinegar, garlic, and green onion into a small bowl. These basic ingredients create the main flavors of your sauce, and they’re super easy to mix. Once combined, you’re ready for the next step!

Step 2: Taste and Adjust

Give the sauce a quick taste test to see how it matches your preferences. If you like it spicier, just add a little more chili oil. For a saltier flavor, add more soy sauce. If you want it less salty, you can reduce saltiness by adding more black vinegar or a little sesame oil to adjust the balance.

Step 3: Final Touches

You can also tweak the flavor by adjusting the garlic or green onion based on how pungent you like it. For some added nutty flavor, try adding sesame seeds or a touch of sugar. These ingredients can be added optional depending on your taste. Once it’s to your liking, your perfect dumpling sauce is ready to enjoy!

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!

Now, you’ve got a delicious homemade sauce that pairs wonderfully with your dumplings. You can even save the recipe for later or pin it to Pinterest so you can make it again any time!

Storage

Keep your dumpling sauce fresh and tasty with these simple tips.

For Japanese dumpling sauce, store it in a clean jar or container. Keep it in the fridge for up to 6 weeks.

For Chinese dumpling sauce, it has fresh things like garlic and scallions. Put it in a sealed jar and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

Store both sauces well so they stay fresh and full of flavor every time!

What Dumpling Sauce is commonly Eaten with

• Yangzhou Fried Rice (Cơm Chiên Dương Châu)
• Vietnamese Fried Rice Cake With Egg (Bánh bột chiên)
• Easy & Simple Tuna Sushi Bake For One
• Salmon Sushi Bake

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Tasty

Dumpling Sauce

Author: Lauren Cooking Method: Baking, Broiling, Grilling Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese Courses: Appetizer, Beverage, Breakfast, Desert, Dinner, Lunch Recipe Keys: Gluten Free High Protein Keto Quick Meals Vegan

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 5 mins Total Time 10 mins

Servings: 4 Calories: 700

Best Season: Spring, Summer

Description

This dumpling sauce is simple, tasty, and ready in minutes. It’s the perfect mix of salty, sweet, and tangy flavors that make any dumpling shine. I’ve made it many times, and it always adds that special touch to homemade or frozen dumplings. You’ll love how easy and delicious it is!

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• 2 tbs soy sauce
• 1 tbs chili oil
• 1 tsp black vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 green onion (green part), sliced
• 1 tablespoon hot water

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, pour soy sauce and rice vinegar. Add a little sesame oil. Stir well until smooth. I always taste it here to get the right balance.
2. Sprinkle in chopped garlic and ginger. If you like a little heat, add chili flakes. Stir again. The smell will make your kitchen feel amazing!
3. Add a touch of sugar to balance the sour and salty. Give it a final stir. Serve the sauce with your dumplings right away. It’s fresh, simple, and delicious.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 700kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 35g54%

Saturated Fat 6g30%

Sodium 14000mg584%

Potassium 900mg26%

Total Carbohydrate 55g19%

Dietary Fiber 2.5g10%

Sugars 7g

Protein 25g50%

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Vitamin A 35 IU

Vitamin C 5 mg

Calcium 130 mg

Iron 5 mg

Vitamin B12 1.5 mcg

Magnesium 50 mg

Zinc 2 mg

Selenium 1.2 mcg

Copper 1.5 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

• Taste as you go. Start with a small amount of soy sauce and adjust the flavor.
• Use fresh garlic and ginger for the best taste. They add a bright, warm kick.
• Mix well before serving. The sauce tastes better when all flavors blend.
• Store leftovers in a sealed jar in the fridge. Shake before each use.

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