Take your dumplings to a whole new level with this homemade dipping sauce—ready in just 5 minutes!
Potstickers are one of the go-to appetizers I order any time I visit my favorite Chinese restaurant in Milwaukee. The chefs there make everything fresh, and their potstickers are no exception. Each one is lovingly handmade, filled with savory meats and veggies, and served with a sauce so tasty I want to drink it straight!
Potstickers and other dumplings are definitely in. Almost every supermarket will have a selection of frozen ones you can heat up at home, from shumai to gyoza to mandu and wontons. And making them homemade is pretty simple and something a lot of families do on the regular. What’s more, while you might associate dumplings with dim sum or order them just as an appetizer, eating them as the main course is also trendy—particularly with younger diners. So having a go-to dipping sauce that’s not only easy to whip up (and also brilliantly tasty!) is key.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple core ingredients—soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. When combined with green onions, garlic, ginger, and a touch of sugar, this sauce really brings on the flavor without overpowering potstickers, a dish that is often very subtle. Whether you’re making homemade potstickers or enjoying some frozen ones, this sauce is going to really up the experience. And I dare say this sauce recipe comes pretty darn close to matching the one I enjoy at my favorite Chinese restaurant.
Is Potsticker Sauce Healthy?
This sauce is a fairly healthy condiment if you use it in moderation. It’s low in calories and contains only a tiny amount of fat. It is high in sodium, so if that’s a concern, you can seek out low-sodium soy sauce, a product that has anywhere from about a half to a third as much sodium. Remember that most soy sauces contain gluten; if that’s an issue, you can seek out tamari, a type of soy sauce made without wheat, or any soy sauce labeled gluten-free for this sauce.
Rice Vinegar Vs. White Vinegar
Rice vinegar has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a low acidity level of around five percent. It’s also sometimes called rice wine vinegar. You’ll find it in most large supermarkets and online. When shopping for it, make sure you don’t confuse rice vinegar with seasoned rice vinegar, a product that contains salt and sugar and is typically used to make sushi rice.
White vinegar, made from corn, is a fairly good substitute for rice vinegar but not a perfect one. White vinegar has a more neutral flavor and a higher acidity level, between five and ten percent. If you do want to use white vinegar in this potsticker sauce, you may want to decrease the amount called for slightly so the tang doesn’t overwhelm the balance of your sauce.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Any leftover sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Most people prefer the sauce at room temperature, so let it sit out for a few minutes before serving it.
Serving Suggestions
Potsticker sauce is obviously perfect for potstickers like these Vegetable Dumplings. However, it’s equally tasty with Crispy Air-Fryer Egg Rolls and Crispy Fried Wontons. I’ve even drizzled this sauce over an Asian-inspired lettuce wrap. The sauce also works as a drizzle over Crispy Baked Tofu or as a finishing touch over Cauliflower Rice Stir-Fry.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 teaspoon green onions thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and thinly sliced green onions to the sauce and stir to combine.
- Garnish with sesame seeds before serving. Serve as a dipping sauce for potstickers and other dumplings, spring rolls, summer rolls, or other Asian appetizers.
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