Chinese Garlic Sauce Recipe

This vibrant Chinese garlic sauce combines minced garlic, ginger, and a balanced blend of soy, rice vinegar, and chili garlic sauce for a zesty, low-calorie twist on restaurant stir-fries. A perfect fusion of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors, it wonderfully enhances tofu, veggies, or rice dishes with a delightful kick.

I’ve been experimenting in the kitchen lately and i came up with this Chinese Garlic Sauce that is seriously tasty yet low in calories and vegan. I mix 8 cloves garlic minced with 1 tablespoon of finely chopped ginger, then add a 1/4 cup of low sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar and 1 tablespoon of vegan hoisin sauce.

I also mix in a tablespoon of chili garlic sauce to give it some heat and balance, with a splash of toasted sesame oil and a bit of water or veggie broth to give it the perfect consistency. A dash of maple syrup adds a subtle sweetness while the cornstarch slurry ( 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water ) helps thicken it up if you’re into that texture.

This easy Chinese recipe is just one of many Chinese cooking ideas i love to experiment with, and i find it works great as a stir-fry sauce. Enjoy making this homemade sauce in your own kitchen!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really like this recipe because it brings together a cool mix of flavors that just work for me. The garlic and ginger combo gives it that authentic Chinese taste that makes every bite exciting, and the sweetness from the maple syrup with a kick from the chili garlic sauce is just perfect.

I also love how easy it is to whip up. I can throw it together pretty fast when I’m in a rush and it always turns out delicious even if I mess up a step here or there, which happens sometimes.

Another reason i dig this recipe is its versatility. Whether i’m tossing it with tofu, veggies, or rice, it always comes through and lets me tweak the flavors a bit, maybe adding a bit more soy sauce if i feel like it.

Lastly, i appreciate that its vegan and low in calories. This means i can enjoy a tasty homemade meal without feeling like i’m missing out on something healthy.

Ingredients

• Garlic: essential ingredient, adds strong flavor and good antioxidants.
• Ginger: provides a warming spice that helps with digestion naturally.
• Low sodium soy sauce: gives deep umami taste without overloading with salt.
• Rice vinegar: offers a bright sour zing that balances richer flavors nicely.
• Hoisin sauce: adds sweet tanginess and thick body, perfect for extra depth.
• Chili garlic sauce: infuses heat and an extra garlic punch for real excitement.
• Maple syrup: natural sweetener that nicely counteracts savory, spicy, umami notes.
• Toasted sesame oil: adds a nutty aroma and richness without overpowering the dish.
• Water or vegetable broth: loosens the sauce, ensuring a nice consistency for mixing.
• Cornstarch mixture: thickens the sauce gently without altering its flavor profile.

Ingredient Quantities

• 8 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (make sure its vegan)
• 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 cup water or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (if you wanna thicken it)

How to Make this

1. First, prep your ingredients by mincing the garlic and finely chopping the ginger.

2. In a small bowl, combine the low sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, vegan hoisin sauce, chili garlic sauce, maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, and water or vegetable broth.

3. Give the mixture a good stir until everything’s mixed well, then add the cornstarch mixed with water if you want a thicker sauce later.

4. Heat a wok or large pan over medium-high heat.

5. Toss in the minced garlic and chopped ginger to the dry pan and stir-fry them for about a minute until they become fragrant, but watch closely so they dont burn.

6. Pour the combined sauce mixture into the pan over the garlic and ginger.

7. Bring it to a simmer, stirring constantly so the flavors mix and the sauce starts to thicken up nicely.

8. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until you see it bubble and thicken, which should take around 2 to 3 minutes.

9. Taste the sauce and if needed, adjust with a little extra maple syrup or soy sauce depending on your flavor preference.

10. Remove from heat and use it immediately as a delicious stir-fry sauce over your favorite veggies, tofu, or rice. Enjoy your meal!

Equipment Needed

1. A sharp knife for mincing garlic and chopping ginger
2. A cutting board to work on your ingredients
3. Measuring spoons and cups to get accurate quantities of sauces and liquids
4. A small bowl to mix together the sauce ingredients
5. A separate small bowl to mix the cornstarch with water, if you want a thicker sauce later
6. A wok or a large pan, which you’ll need to heat and stir-fry the ingredients
7. A spatula or wooden spoon to stir the sauce as it simmers

FAQ

Chinese Garlic Sauce Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Instead of low sodium soy sauce, try using coconut aminos which gives a slightly sweeter taste and works great in the sauce.
• You can swap rice vinegar with apple cider vinegar if you dont have any on hand, it adds a similar tang.
• If you cant find vegan hoisin sauce, mix a bit of soy sauce with peanut butter and molasses for a similar flavor profile.
• For chili garlic sauce, you might use sriracha if you like a bit more sweetness mixed with the heat.
• Maple syrup can be replaced by agave nectar, which works just as good in balancing the flavors.

Pro Tips

1. When stir-frying the garlic and ginger, make sure your pan is really hot first but dont add any oil cause you want them to just toast lightly and not get their flavor lost dont let them burn either, it makes the sauce bitter.
2. If you wanna get a thicker sauce without lumps, always mix the cornstarch with water first and stir it into the sauce slowly so you dont get clumps and then let it simmer a couple minutes to really set.
3. Taste the sauce at the end and tweak it to your liking, like if it seems kinda sour add a bit more maple syrup or if it’s too sweet give it a splash more soy sauce, because these little changes can make a big difference.
4. If possible, prep all your ingredients before starting to cook cause once you begin stir frying, things happen fast and theres no time to run to the counter for a missing spice.