Name: Easy 5-Minute Customizable Dumpling Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1 tbsp regular soy sauce (or light soy sauce); 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar (or rice vinegar); 1 tsp sesame oil (or neutral oil substitute); 1/2 tsp sesame seeds; 1 tsp finely chopped green onion; 0.5 – 1 tsp chili oil (adjust to desired spice level); 1/2 tsp white granulated sugar (or cane sugar); 1/2 tsp peeled, thinly sliced ginger; 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (for spicier version)

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Introduction

This easy 5-minute dumpling sauce is a versatile, flavorful dip that complements any dumpling perfectly. With a simple base and customizable additions, you can tailor it to suit your taste every time.

A white round plate holds several half-moon shaped dumplings with soft, pale beige dough that is slightly browned and crispy on one side, showing a light golden texture. The dumplings have gentle folds on top with a smooth surface. One dumpling is lifted by wooden chopsticks and dipped into a small clear glass bowl filled with dark reddish-brown sauce speckled with sesame seeds and small green onion pieces, adding rich texture and color contrasts. The backdrop is a white marbled texture, making the warm tones of the dumplings and sauce stand out. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tbsp regular soy sauce (or light soy sauce)
1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar (or rice vinegar)
1 tsp sesame oil (or substitute with a neutral oil)
1/2 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
1 tsp green onion, finely chopped (optional)
0.5 – 1 tsp chili oil (optional, add as desired)
1/2 tsp white granulated sugar (or cane sugar, optional)
1/2 tsp ginger, peeled and thinly sliced (optional)
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for a spicy version)

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, black vinegar, and sesame oil. Mix well to create your base sauce.
Step 2: Choose any of the optional ingredients—sesame seeds, green onion, chili oil, sugar, ginger, or red pepper flakes—and stir them into the base sauce. Adjust quantities to your taste.
Step 3: Serve the sauce alongside cooked dumplings, whether store-bought or homemade, and enjoy immediately.

Tips & Variations

For a milder flavor, substitute chili oil with a small dash of honey or omit spicy ingredients entirely.
Add fresh minced garlic for an extra punch of flavor.
Use rice vinegar if you prefer a lighter acidity compared to Chinese black vinegar.
Toast the sesame seeds lightly to bring out their nuttiness before adding.

Storage

Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Stir well before serving again. This sauce is best enjoyed fresh but can be served cold or at room temperature.

How to Serve

A white plate sits on a white marbled surface, filled with about ten pan-fried dumplings that have a light golden-brown bottom and a soft off-white top with slight folds and wrinkles. In the middle of the plate, there is a clear glass bowl filled with a dark reddish-brown chili oil sauce that has visible sesame seeds and small green onion pieces floating on top. One dumpling, held by a pair of light brown wooden chopsticks, is dipped halfway into the chili sauce, with the sauce coating its edge and some sesame seeds sticking to it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this sauce vegan?

Yes, all the ingredients listed are plant-based, so this dumpling sauce is naturally vegan-friendly.

What if I don’t have Chinese black vinegar?

You can substitute with rice vinegar or a mild balsamic vinegar. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.