Chinese Garlic Sauce for Stir-Fries

Chinese Garlic Sauce for Stir-Fries

from thespruceeats.com
15 min
1 8 servings

Chinese garlic sauce is popular on Chinese food takeout menus but is easy to make at home. It's also healthier than some restaurant versions.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Chinese rice wine (or dry sherry)
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili sauce, or according to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or peanut oil)
  • 3 to 4 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped (or 4 teaspoons chopped garlic)

Directions

  1. 1

    Gather the ingredients.

  2. 2

    In a small bowl, stir together the rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauces, rice wine or sherry, chile sauce, and sesame oil.

  3. 3

    In a separate small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the water.

  4. 4

    Heat the oil over medium heat in a saucepan. Add the chopped garlic and cook, stirring until aromatic (around 30 seconds). Watch very carefully to make sure it doesn't burn.

  5. 5

    Quickly re-stir the soy sauce mixture, add it to the saucepan, and bring to a boil, stirring. This should take about a minute.

  6. 6

    Re-stir the cornstarch-water mixture and add it to the sauce, stirring to thicken.

  7. 7

    Use in your favorite stir-fries and enjoy.