Chinese Garlic Sauce
This Chinese garlic sauce is loaded with bold flavors! Use this sauce with chicken, shrimp, in stir fry, on vegetables, or with pork. It takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish. This quick and easy sauce is versatile and great for so many recipes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This Chinese garlic sauce takes only 10 minutes.
- It is quick and easy.
- Serve with vegetables or meat protein.
- This sauce works well in stir fry, in this Chinese Garlic Chicken or this Gluten Free Orange Chicken.
- Store in the fridge until ready to use.
- This sauce is versatile.
- It instantly adds flavor to any dish.
- The maple syrup is optional. Otherwise, it is sugar free.
- The flavors are fresh and bold.
- This recipe is Paleo, gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free and vegan friendly.
- Check out this Sugar Free Stir Fry Sauce for another delicious recipe!
Ingredients & Substitutions
These are the main ingredients and substitutions for Chinese garlic sauce. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredients list and instructions.
Olive oil helps cook the minced garlic and minced ginger. Feel free to use avocado oil or refined coconut oil if needed.
Both minced garlic and minced ginger add so much flavor. For best results, use freshly minced garlic and ginger. Cook only 1 minute. Stir frequently. Try making your own Minced Garlic!
Use chicken broth or vegetable broth. For vegan, use vegetable broth.
Coconut aminos is the gluten free and soy free version of soy sauce. It has the same flavor and texture.
Rice vinegar adds great flavor.
Toasted sesame oil is very strong in flavor. A little bit goes a long way.
Tapioca flour is the corn free version of cornstarch. Both cornstarch and arrowroot powder can be substituted. This thickens the sauce. Be sure to fully whisk to combine.
For a sweeter flavor, add a little bit of pure maple syrup. Honey can also be used. This sauce is great with or without the added sweetness. For Whole30, omit.
For a little extra heat, add some red pepper flakes.
Taste & Texture
This Chinese garlic sauce is a little sweet, savory and flavorful. It is reminiscent of a classic Chinese stir fry sauce.
It is slightly thick and slightly sticky. To make even more thick, continue cooking longer.
How to Make
Step 1
First, add olive oil, minced garlic and minced ginger to a skillet over medium. Cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Stir to prevent burning.
Step 2
Then, add in all remaining ingredients. Whisk to combine.
Step 3
Cook over medium heat until mixture is bubbly. Continue stirring to prevent burning.
Step 4
Cook until desired thickness is reached.
Step 5
Finally, remove from heat. Use sauce immediately or let cool.
Expert Tips & Tricks
In terms of taste, this Chinese garlic sauce is pretty forgiving.
Feel free to alter ingredient amounts to suit your taste.
Stir continually to prevent burning. Do not cook over high heat.
Fully whisk in the tapioca flour or cornstarch. This prevents clumps.
This sauce will continue to thicken as it cooks.
Watch closely. This sauce takes only a few minutes to cook.
Before adding to a jar, fully cool sauce.
Sauce Uses
This Chinese garlic sauce is versatile.
Use this sauce on chicken.
Add it to grilled shrimp.
Enjoy on top of steak or beef.
Use as a marinade for grilled meat.
Use in vegetable stir fry.
Add to pork.
Use this sauce with noodles.
How to Serve & Store
Serve Chinese garlic sauce immediately or store for future use.
See section above for the different ways to enjoy this sauce.
Add to this Sirloin Steak or Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Breast.
In addition, try this sauce with Stir Fry Vegetables or Whole30 Chicken Stir Fry.
Store cooled sauce in a jar with a lid. Place in fridge until ready to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
This sauce is made with coconut aminos, rice vinegar, minced garlic, ginger and spices.
Maple syrup is optional in this sauce. Otherwise, there is no added sugar.
There are many Chinese sauces that are tasty! This one is delicious.
Use coconut aminos or gluten free soy sauce to keep this recipe gluten free.
Use this sauce for chicken, beef, pork, vegetables, shrimp and more.
Equipment Needed
Our Place Always Pan: This is my favorite non-toxic pan for everyday cooking.
Pyrex Glass Measuring Cups: These glass measuring cups are easy to use and easy to clean.
Whisk: Whisk this sauce to prevent burning.
You May Also Like
- Paleo Asian Meatloaf
- Whole30 Orange Chicken
- Whole30 Beef and Broccoli
- Salt and Pepper Chicken
- Whole30 Teriyaki Chicken
If you make this Chinese garlic sauce recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Join my exclusive Facebook Group for a behind the scenes look. I would love for you to follow along!
Get the Recipe: Chinese Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- ½ cup broth, chicken or vegetable
- ¼ cup coconut aminos, or gluten free soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- ½ tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp tapioca flour, or cornstarch
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup, optional
- red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- First, add olive oil, minced garlic and minced ginger to a skillet over medium. Cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Stir to prevent burning.
- Then, add in all remaining ingredients. Whisk to combine.
- Cook over medium heat until mixture is bubbly. Continue stirring to prevent burning.
- Cook until desired thickness is reached.
- Finally, remove from heat. Use sauce immediately or let cool. Store in a jar with a lid in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Continually stir sauce to prevent burning.
- Be sure to fully whisk in the tapioca flour (or cornstarch) to avoid clumps.
- As the sauce cooks, it will thicken.
- This sauce only takes a few minutes total. Watch closely and continue stirring.
- Allow sauce to fully cool before pouring into a jar to store in the fridge.
- Use within 1 week.
- This makes about ½ cup of sauce.
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