Perfect Dumpling Dipping Sauce

If you’re looking for the best dumpling dipping sauce, look no further. This dumpling dipping sauce recipe combines the best ingredients to create a harmony of flavors. Savory, sweet, salty, spicy, tangy, and umami – this sauce has it all. 

Reasons Why You’ll Love this Recipe

This recipe for perfect dumpling dipping sauce is easy to make and requires only a few ingredients. If you love Asian cuisine, you probably have most items in your pantry already.

It’s a classic blend of salty, sour, sweet and spicy flavors that pairs amazingly with any type of dumpling. The balance of flavors in this dipping sauce will bring your dumpling experience to a whole new level.

You can adjust the amount of ingredients to create your perfect dumpling dipping sauce. Everyone’s palate is different, so feel free to add a little more sugar, chilis, or soy sauce to your taste. 

This easy dumpling dipping sauce recipe isn’t overpowering and allows you to fully appreciate the dumplings themselves. Some dipping sauces can be too strong or rich (which is enjoyable once in a while), but this sauce is perfect any time.

What Is DumpIing Dipping Sauce Made Of?

To make the best dumpling dipping sauce, you’ll need a combination of sweet, savory, salty, spicy, and umami. Here’s the list of ingredients:

• Soy sauce: for the umami, saltiness, and savory taste. Use a gluten-free soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
• Thai chilis: for that spicy kick. You can also use. red pepper flakes or any other type of chili you can get. Or omit it altogether if you don’t like the spice.
• Cilantro: for that herbaceous flavor and extra freshness. If you don’t like cilantro, feel free to sub parsley or more spring onions.
• Spring onions: for freshness and that kick of allium. You can also sub shallots, chives, or even minced garlic.
• Sugar: for a touch of sweetness. Feel free to sub with honey, agave, or maple syrup for a more natural take.
• Sesame oil: for a little nuttiness, as well as to balance out the savory flavors.
• Rice vinegar: to add a touch of tanginess. You can also add a splash of water to dilute the saltiness instead.

How To Make The Dipping Sauce For Dumplings

Step 1: Dissolve the sugar

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and sugar until the sugar has dissolved.

Step 2: Add the aromatics

Add the diced cilantro, hot chili, and spring onions and stir until well combined.

Step 3: Adjust flavor with water, ensuring sauce retains its saltiness

Taste and add a splash of water as needed. But don’t dilute it too much as the sauce is supposed to be salty.

Step 4: Serve it and enjoy!

Serve the dipping sauce immediately, or refrigerate until ready to use.

Variations & Substitutions

For a milder dipping sauce, reduce the amount of chili or omit them altogether. 

If you prefer a sweeter dipping sauce, add more sugar to taste.

Use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar for a natural sweetener. You can also use monk fruit sugar or stevia for a keto version.

You can also add other ingredients to this sauce, such as ginger, minced garlic, or honey, for different flavor variations.

Add a tablespoon of hoisin sauce or oyster sauce for a richer, umami flavor. 

For a more complex flavor, add a teaspoon of grated ginger or minced garlic. 

If you don’t like cilantro, try some chopped parsley or add more spring onions or shallots.

Gochujang (Korean chili paste) can be used instead of the diced chili for depths of flavor and an umami bomb.

You can also experiment with any other types of chilis like bird’s eye chili, Scotch bonnet, or even habanero. 

What Can I Use Instead Of Soy Sauce For Dumplings?

If soy sauce isn’t your jam or you’re simply looking for a new type of flavor bouquet, there are many types of dumpling dipping sauce variations for you to try.

Garlic vinegar sauce. Instead of soy sauce, use a combination of white wine vinegar and minced garlic. Finish it off with a little sugar, sesame oil, and salt to taste. 

Peanut dipping sauce. This one is a richer and creamier option and is also delicious with vegetables and salad. Mix some peanut butter with hot water, then add some gochujang, sugar, and a splash of soy sauce or a pinch of salt. Yum!

Scallion ginger dipping sauce. This one is not too spicy and doesn’t take away from the flavor of your dumplings. All you need is grated ginger, diced cilantro, scallions, and hot peanut oil.

Serving Suggestions

This perfect dumpling dipping sauce pairs well with any type of dumpling, including potstickers, gyoza, or wontons. Try these yummy Pork And Shrimp Dumplings, they’re surprisingly easy to make. Serve the dipping sauce in a small bowl alongside your dumplings, and enjoy!

This dumpling dipping sauce recipe can also be used as a marinade for meats or as a dip for seafood. Marinate the meat anywhere from 2-24h for best results. You can read more about How Long You Can Marinate Chicken here. 

What Are Some Different Kinds Of Dumplings?

Dumplings were first described as pieces of dough that were either boiled or steamed. But since then, the definition grew to include the popular filled dumplings we now can find worldwide. 

Various types of dumplings can be found in many different cuisines around the world. The fillings can be savory or sweet, but they’re always delicious comfort food.

Here are some examples of different types of dumplings:

Chinese dumplings: Also known as jiaozi or potstickers, these dumplings are typically filled with pork, shrimp, or vegetables (like these Siu Mai Dumplings) and served with a dipping sauce.

Japanese dumplings: Known as gyoza, these dumplings are similar to Chinese potstickers but are typically filled with ground pork, garlic, and cabbage. This perfect dipping sauce recipe is great for gyoza too, but we also have an Easy Gyoza Sauce for a more classic combo.

Korean dumplings: Known as mandu, these dumplings are typically filled with ground pork or beef, vegetables, and sometimes kimchi. But you can also find some cheese dumplings, and sweet seed dumplings released by Pulmuone.

Polish dumplings: Known as pierogi, these dumplings can be filled with cheese, potato, sauerkraut, mushrooms, meat, or fruits and are often served with sour cream, fried onions, and parsley (or jam and sour cream for the sweet fruit dumplings).

Russian dumplings: Known as pelmeni, these dumplings are typically filled with ground beef or pork and served with sour cream, mayonnaise, dill, red onions, or vinegar. Small amounts of cabbage, tomato, or horseradish can be added to the filling as well. 

Italian dumplings: Known as gnocchi, these dumplings are made from potatoes, egg, and flour and can be served with a variety of sauces. Other additions to the dough include breadcrumbs, cornmeal, spinach, and cheese. 

Tibetan dumplings: Known as momos, these dumplings are filled with vegetables or meat and are often served with a spicy dipping sauce. They’re heavily influenced by Indian cuisine with all the spices and herbs. 

Indian dumplings: Known as samosas, these dumplings are filled with vegetables, meat, or cheese, deep-fried, and served with chutney or yogurt sauce. Although some people would limit the definition of dumplings to boiled or steamed varieties, and exclude anything fried or baked. But I had to mention samosas because they’re so delicious!

German dumplings: known as dampfnudel, these dumplings are made with flour, water, yeast, salt, butter, and sometimes eggs and sugar. They can be served as a main course with cabbage, salad, soups, and béchamel sauce. Or as a dessert with vanilla custard, boiled fruit, or jam. 

These are just a few examples of the many different types of dumplings found around the world. Each cuisine has its unique flavors and cooking techniques, making dumplings a versatile and delicious food enjoyed by many cultures.

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