This easy garlic soy sauce is a versatile sauce that will add more flavor to your meals. Made with a combination of garlic, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, chili flakes, and starch, this savory sauce is easy to prepare and pairs well with a variety of dishes.
Garlic soy sauce is a popular condiment in many Asian cuisines, particularly in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean cooking. It adds depth and complexity to dishes, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
The combination of garlic and soy sauce provides a perfect balance of umami and savory notes, while the chili flakes add a touch of heat.
You can use this sauce as a dipping sauce for your favorite snacks or as a marinade for your grilled meats.
Another advantage is that you can customize it as you want. If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can add more sugar, or if you like it spicier, you can increase the amount of chili flakes.
You can also adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding more or less starch, depending on your preference.
By making your own sauce at home, you can control the ingredients and ensure that it’s free from any unnecessary additives.
So why not give this recipe a try and add a burst of flavor to your meals today?
🥰 Why You Will Love This Recipe?
- It is an easy sauce that will give a more pleasant taste to a lot of dishes.
- It is a versatile sauce, meaning you can add or remove ingredients to make it exactly to your liking. You can adjust the amount of chili flakes, sugar, and starch to your liking, making it perfect for those who prefer sweeter or spicier sauces.
- This sauce pairs well with a variety of dishes, from stir-fries and grilled meats to noodles and vegetables. You can also use it as a dipping sauce or a marinade.
- It’s healthier than store-bought sauces: By making your own sauce at home, you can avoid the preservatives and added sugars that are often found in store-bought sauces.
🥘 Ingredients and Substitutes
- Garlic. I used fresh garlic, but you can easily replace it with dried granulated garlic. In that case, keep in mind that the flavor of the garlic will not be so strong, so you may need to increase the amount of dried garlic you will use.
- Sugar. I use granulated sugar, but you can replace it with other types of sugar or to replace it with honey or syrup.
- Chili Flakes. Adjust the amount of chili flakes to your liking. If you don’t have it under your hands, you can replace it with red chili pepper.
- Starch. I used potato starch, but you can replace it with another type of starch you prefer or have under your hand.
- Vinegar. I used white wine vinegar, but you can replace it with whatever you prefer. The best option for this sauce will be to use rice vinegar to keep the Asian theme.
- Soy Sauce. Use a soy sauce with low salt because it will be easier for you to control the salt level of the dish.
👩🍳 Step-by-step Directions
Mince the garlic, and after that, take a saucepan in which you will prepare the sauce and drop the garlic in it.
After garlic, add the sugar or other sweetener you decide to use.
Now it is time to add the grounded chili flakes.
Now, add the starch.
After that, add the vinegar you decided to use.
And in the end, add the soy sauce. Mix all the ingredients well.
Set the heat to low, and by mixing continuously, let the sauce boil.
After that, let it boil for about 5 more minutes or until you will get the desired texture.
The garlic soy sauce is ready to be served as a dipping sauce or used as a marinade. For an extra taste, you can add a few sesame seeds in it.
🍽️ Usage and Serving Suggestions
You can use the garlic soy sauce as a dipping sauce for dumplings, egg rolls, or sushi.
Use it as a sauce for bibimbap or rice bowls, paired with your favorite vegetables and protein.
Another great use case of it is to toss it with stir-fried vegetables or noodles for a quick and easy meal.
Or you can use it as a marinade for tofu or shrimp before grilling or pan-frying.
Also, you may add it to soups or stews to enhance their flavor.
Feel free to experiment with it.
😻 Other Sauce Recipes You May Enjoy
- 4 Ingredient Fresh Basil Pesto
- Homemade Greek Tzatziki Sauce
- Easy Homemade Bistro Sauce
- White BBQ Sauce (Alabama White Sauce)
- 4 Ingredient Homemade BBQ Sauce
🏆 Expert Tips. What to Pay Attention To?
- Use fresh garlic. Fresh garlic will provide the best flavor for this sauce. Avoid using pre-minced garlic, as it can have a bitter taste.
- Soy sauce is a key ingredient in this recipe but it can also be high in sodium. To keep the salt level in check, use a low-sodium soy sauce.
- Once the sauce has thickened, remove it from the heat immediately. Overcooking the sauce can cause it to become too thick or even burn.
- Store the garlic soy sauce in a clean, airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Make sure to stir it well before using it, as the ingredients can settle over time.
🤔 Answering Your Questions:
Can I Use Garlic Powder Instead of Fresh Garlic?
While fresh garlic is recommended for the best flavor, you can use garlic powder as a substitute. However, be aware that the flavor may not be as strong as fresh garlic.
Is This Sauce Vegan-Friendly?
Yes, this sauce is vegan-friendly as long as you use a vegan-friendly soy sauce.
How Can I Make the Sauce Thicker or Thinner?
If you want a thicker sauce, add more starch. If you want a thinner sauce, use less starch or add a bit of water.
Can I Make This Sauce Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make this sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to a week. Give it a good stir before using it, as the ingredients can settle over time.
Can I Adjust the Level of Spiciness?
Yes, you can adjust the number of chili flakes to your liking to make the sauce more or less spicy.
📋 Recipe Card:
Easy Garlic Soy Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Chili Pepper Flakes
- 1 teaspoon Starch
- 1 teaspoon Vinegar
- ½ cup Soy Sauce
Instructions
- Mince garlic and drop it in a saucepan, near sugar, chili flakes, starch, vinegar, and soy sauce.2 cloves Garlic, 1 teaspoon Sugar, ¼ teaspoon Chili Pepper Flakes, 1 teaspoon Starch, 1 teaspoon Vinegar, ½ cup Soy Sauce
- Set the heat to low, and mix continuously until the sauce starts to boil. After that, let it boil for about 5 more minutes or until you will get the desired texture.
Quick Note
I highly recommend reading the entire recipe to find more tips and notes about this recipe. Read Full Recipe ⇑
Notes
- Mix continuously to avoid sticking to the bottom of the saucepan and forming lumps.
- Ensure that the heat is set to low to avoid burning the sauce.
- This garlic soy sauce is a versatile sauce that can elevate the taste of various dishes. Its combination of garlic, soy sauce, and other ingredients adds depth and complexity to your meals.
- Using fresh garlic is recommended for the best flavor. Avoid pre-minced garlic, as it may have a bitter taste.
- To control the salt level, opt for a low-sodium soy sauce when preparing this recipe.
- Once the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, remove it from the heat promptly. Overcooking can result in an overly thick or burnt sauce.
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