SaveThis dumpling sauce recipe is a quick, savory dipping sauce made from low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, a little water and sugar, toasted sesame oil, fresh garlic and ginger, with chili oil and green onion on top. It takes about five minutes to stir together and needs no cooking. It works for boiled, steamed or pan-fried dumplings, potstickers and gyoza. Below you’ll find what each ingredient does, how to adjust the salty, tangy and spicy balance, and simple variations.
What Is Dumpling Sauce?
Dumpling sauce is a thin, salty-tangy dip served alongside dumplings. The base is almost always soy sauce and vinegar, balanced with a little sugar and rounded out with sesame oil. Garlic, ginger, green onions, sesame seeds and chili oil are common add-ins. Because it’s thin, it seeps into the dumpling wrapper and filling instead of coating the outside like a thick sauce.
Dumpling, potsticker and gyoza sauce
The recipes for “dumpling sauce,” “potsticker sauce” and “gyoza sauce” overlap heavily: soy sauce, vinegar and sesame oil are at the center of all of them. This one works for any of the three. Adjust the vinegar and chili oil to suit the dumplings you’re serving.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Low-sodium soy sauce (1/4 cup): the salty, savory base. Low-sodium soy keeps the dip from tasting too salty.
- Rice vinegar (2 tablespoons): the tang. Chinese black vinegar is a popular alternative with a deeper, maltier flavor; check the label, as products vary.
- Water (2 tablespoons): softens the saltiness so the sauce is easy to dip into generously.
- Sugar (1 teaspoon): balances the salt and acid. Honey or brown sugar also work.
- Toasted sesame oil (1 teaspoon): a nutty aroma.
- Garlic (1 clove, minced) and fresh ginger (1/2 teaspoon, grated): sharp, fresh flavor.
- Chili oil (1 to 2 teaspoons, optional): heat and a red sheen.
- Green onion (1 tablespoon, thinly sliced) and toasted sesame seeds (1/2 teaspoon): freshness and crunch on top.
How to Make Dumpling Sauce
- Dissolve the sugar. In a small bowl, stir the sugar into the water until it dissolves.
- Mix. Stir in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic and ginger.
- Finish. Add the chili oil (if using), then top with the green onion and sesame seeds.
- Serve. Serve right away with hot dumplings, or let it sit for a few minutes so the garlic and ginger flavor the sauce.
Adjusting the Balance
| You want | Change |
|---|---|
| Less salty | Add 1 more tablespoon water |
| Tangier | Add 1 teaspoon more vinegar |
| Spicier | Add more chili oil, or a pinch of red pepper flakes |
| Sweeter | Add 1/2 teaspoon more sugar |
| More aromatic | Add more garlic or ginger |
Taste the sauce on a dumpling rather than from the spoon; the wrapper and filling soften the salt.
Allergen and Label Notes
- Soy, wheat and sesame: soy sauce contains soy and usually wheat, and sesame oil and seeds contain sesame. All three are major food allergens. For a gluten-free sauce, use a tamari labeled gluten-free and check your vinegar and chili oil labels too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dumpling sauce made of?
Most versions combine soy sauce, vinegar and sesame oil, often with a little sugar, garlic, ginger, green onion and chili oil.
Is potsticker sauce the same as dumpling sauce?
They’re very similar. Both are built on soy sauce, vinegar and sesame oil, so you can use this sauce for potstickers, gyoza or any dumpling.
What’s the simplest dumpling sauce?
Stir together soy sauce, rice vinegar and a few drops of sesame oil. Add garlic, ginger or chili oil when you have them.
Can I use black vinegar instead of rice vinegar?
Yes. Chinese black vinegar gives a darker, deeper-flavored sauce. Start with the same amount and adjust to taste.
How should I store dumpling sauce?
Refrigerate it in a covered container, keep your fridge at 40°F or below, and stir before using. Add the green onion fresh when serving.
More Sauces for Dumplings
For a sweet, spicy dip, try our sweet chili sauce. For a creamy, nutty option, serve dumplings with our Thai peanut sauce.
