Saturday Sweet & Savory: Chinese Garlic Sauce

Try not to eat this directly out of the container!

I love Asian inspired food. This Chinese garlic sauce is lightly sweet and so flavorful. It’s amazing as a stir-fry sauce or it can be used as a dipping sauce. Sometimes we use this as the final sauce when we smoke ribs and then finish or crisp them up on the grill.

I like to use it on pork smoked spareribs, or chicken wings. WARNING: It's highly addictive! I modified this recipe from one found online years ago and this is what I use all the time.

PREP TIME
15 minutes

COOK TIME
10 minutes

TOTAL TIME
25 minutes

 
Ingredients:

·       2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil

·       2 tablespoons minced garlic

·       1 tablespoon minced ginger (I use 2 tablespoons because I like it spicier)

·       1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh green chiles (I use local Jalapenos, minced)

·       3 green onions, white and green finely minced

·       ⅔ cup soy sauce

·       ½ cup chicken broth

·       ⅓ cup rice wine vinegar

·       ¼ cup brown sugar (light or dark your choice)

·       1 ½ tablespoon sesame oil

·       1 ½ tablespoon red pepper flakes

·       ¼ cup water

·       2 tablespoons cornstarch

 

Directions:

1.    Heat the vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the garlic, ginger, green onions and chilis. Cook, stirring constantly until fragrant, about 15 seconds.

2.     Stir in the soy sauce, chicken broth, vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium and cook for 1-2 minutes.

3.    Stir the water and cornstarch together until fully dissolved and pour it into the sauce. Cook, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.

Make ahead tip:

Allow the sauce to cool for 1 hour then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat the sauce by warming it over low heat.

 

It is delicious used in a simple stir fry!