Zest Up Your Chinese Jiaozi with a Kickin' Dip!
Spicy Soy Marinade for Dipping
Chinese dumplings are fantastic on their own, but why not take them to the next level with an explosive dipping sauce? This tangy, spicy, and salty concoction adds a complex edge to your dumplings, making every bite a flavorful journey.
Dipping sauce variations abound, as cooks and diners mix up their own according to personal taste. However, a savory and tangy base is essential. But don't forget about the optional extra kick of nutty, hot chile oil! Chinese dumplings become even more scrumptious with an added ginger or garlic zing in the sauce. Prepare the sauce ahead of time, or let your guests create their own masterpiece.
This recipe was a standout in our Chinese New Year Dishes for Valentine's Day photo gallery. If you're a peanut butter lover, check out our How to Make Peanut Sauce guide too!
Yield: Approximately 2/3 cup
Ingredients (5)
- 1/3 cup light (regular) soy sauce
- 2 1/2 tablespoons unseasoned rice, Chinkiang, or balsamic vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 1 to 3 teaspoons chile oil (optional)
- 1 tablespoon finely shredded fresh ginger, or 2 teaspoons finely minced garlic (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar in a bowl. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Taste and adjust the flavors to your liking for a balanced tart and savory sauce.
- Add as much chile oil as desired for a spicy kick. The sauce can be prepared 4 hours in advance up to this point.
- Just before serving, stir in the ginger or garlic for a fresh zing.
Explore More Dipping Sauce Options!
If you're looking to shake things up, here are some popular dipping sauce variations that can elevate your dumpling eating experience:
Basic Soy and Vinegar Dip
- Soy sauce: Umami and saltiness
- Rice vinegar: Tanginess
- Chili oil (optional): Heat
- Toasted sesame seeds (optional): Nutty flavor and crunch
- Chopped scallions or garlic (optional): Fresh depth
Example Ratio:- 3 tbsp soy sauce- 2 tbsp rice vinegar- 1-2 tbsp chili oil (to taste)- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds- Optional: finely chopped scallions or minced garlic
Black Vinegar Variation
- Soy sauce: Base flavor
- Chinese black vinegar: Complexity and aroma
- Sugar (optional): Balancing the acidity
- Chili oil (optional): Spice
- Chopped cilantro or green onions (optional): Freshness
Example Ratio:- 2 tbsp soy sauce- 2 tbsp Chinese black vinegar- 1 tsp sugar- 1-2 tbsp chili oil- Optional: chopped green onions or cilantro
Sesame Sauce Variation
- Soy sauce: Base flavor
- Sesame oil: Rich, nutty flavor
- Rice vinegar: Tanginess
- Peanut butter or tahini: Creaminess
- Chili paste (optional): Heat
Example Ratio:- 2 tbsp soy sauce- 1 tbsp sesame oil- 1 tbsp rice vinegar- 1-2 tsp peanut butter or tahini- 1 tsp chili paste (optional)
Experiment with these variations or create your own custom dip to enhance your dumpling enjoyment!
- The tangy, spicy, and salty dipping sauce recipe for Chinese dumplings includes Chinkiang vinegar, which can be substituted with rice or balsamic vinegar.
- In the exploration of more dipping sauce options, a black vinegar variation consists of Chinese black vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, chili oil, and chopped cilantro or green onions.
- The given recipe's creditline is 3c9f42fbffd71bcb9496ccee907c55e5, while a savory peanut sauce guide can be found for peanut butter lovers.
- Additionally, Chinese dumplings can be elevated with a sesame sauce variation comprised of soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, peanut butter or tahini, and chili paste (optional).
