This is the best dumpling sauce made with simple ingredients that is fully customizable! It's easily made in 5 minutes and it will take your dumplings to the next level!
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My easy dumpling sauce recipe is made of soy sauce, Chinese Black Vinegar, sesame oil as the base with optional ingredients like green onions, ginger, sesame seeds, sugar, red pepper flakes, ginger and chili oil for heat!
This is the best way to enjoy Chinese dumplings, store-bought dumplings, soup dumplings or Japanese gyoza.
This condiment is so simple and packed with flavor! The best part about this easy sauce is its made with primarily pantry ingredients and it's fully customizable!
You can pick and choose which additions you want or don't want in your sauce. I just recommend keeping the base ingredients as is.
Looking for homemade dumpling recipes? Check out my Chinese Pork Chive Dumplings, Pork Cabbage Dumplings, or Pork Shrimp Dumplings.
Ingredients & Substitutes
Please scroll down to the below Recipe card for exact measurements
Base Sauce
- Regular soy sauce: or substitute with low sodium soy sauce or light soy sauce. If you’re gluten-free, substitute with tamari sauce, coconut aminos or a gluten-free soy sauce.
- Chinese Black Vinegar: this is a black vinegar that is also known as Chinkiang Vinegar and it comes in a yellow bottle below. Or substitute with rice vinegar.
- Sesame oil: or substitute with a neutral oil like avocado oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, grapeseed oil or peanut oil. Not olive oil.
Suggested Additions
- Sesame seeds: feel free to omit if allergic
- Scallions or green onions: finely chopped
- Chili Oil: for a spicy kick or omit if you can't tolerate spice
- Red pepper flakes: for a spice or omit if you can't tolerate spice
- Very thin slices of peeled ginger: optional
- White granulated sugar or brown sugar: to balance out the salty flavors but optional
Note: Most Asian grocery stores will carry most of the Asian specific ingredients.
Instructions
Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make dumpling sauce:
In a small bowl, add regular soy sauce, black vinegar and sesame oil. Then whisk until combined. This is your base sauce.
Next pick and choose from the above suggested additions and mix those in the base. You can also add all of the suggestions and the sauce will taste incredible! Finally enjoy with cooked store-bought or homemade dumplings.
Storage
- Unused leftover sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and it will last up to a 1 week to enjoy! To enjoy, let it come to room temperature as oil tends to solidify in the fridge.
- Freezer friendly? Unused dumpling sauce can be stored in a freezer friendly airtight container and frozen up to 4 months or until you see freezer burn. Thaw it in the fridge or at room temperature to enjoy.
Pairing Suggestions
This is a versatile dipping sauce, so you can pair it with pajeon (Korean scallion pancakes), Korean seafood pancake, spring rolls, plain proteins like chicken, pork, beef, seafood or tofu.
FAQ
I wouldn't recommend it because dark soy sauce is usually thicker and darker in color. But you may as a very last resort.
Yes, you can make a large batch of this homemade sauce and then freeze it in an airtight container for up to 4 months.
Chinkiang Vinegar tastes like a toned down version of white vinegar. It's made of water, glutinous rice, wheat bran, sugar and salt. Furthermore, it looks like the image below where the vinegar is dark brown or black. This vinegar usually comes in a tall glass bottle with a yellow cap. Most Asian markets sell this ingredient. 
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📖 Recipe
Easy 5-min. Dumpling Sauce (Customizable!)
Ingredients
Base Dumpling Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon regular soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar or rice vinegar/apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil or substitute with a neutral oil
Recommended Additions (add all or pick & choose):
- ½ teaspoon sesame seeds optional
- 1 teaspoon green onion finely chopped (optional)
- 0.5 - 1 teaspoon chili oil
add as much as desired (optional) - ½ teaspoon white sugar to balance the salty flavors (optional)
- ½ teaspoon ginger peeled and thinly sliced (optional)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes for a spicy version (optional)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine regular soy sauce, black vinegar and sesame oil. This is your base sauce.
- Now pick and choose from the above suggested additions and mix those in the base. You can also add all of the suggestions and the sauce will taste incredible! Enjoy with your dumplings.
Randi
Ran out of the dumpling sauces I usually have. Made this and it was great. Wasn’t so strong that it covered the taste of the dumplings and enhanced the flavor of the dumplings and made them even better. I will definitely be making this again.
christieathome
Thanks so much for making my dumpling sauce, Randi! Happy it worked out and glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Heather Machin
Very useful dipping sauce thank you! Make a triple batch with one of the tablespoons of soy sauce using sweet soy sauce and it suited us perfectly.
Added scallions and sesame seeds at the table for a tasty garnish. Frozen dumplings have never been so good! 😄
christieathome
Thank you so much for making my recipe! I'm so glad this simple dipping sauce worked out so well and that I could help take your dumplings to the next level!
Sue
This sauce was great and easy to make! Tastes like the sauce we get at restaurants. Thanks for sharing it!
I made more to have on hand. Does it need to be refrigerated? And does the Chinkiang vinegar need to be refrigerated?
christieathome
Thank you so much for making my recipe, Sue! Glad you enjoyed it with your dumplings. I would recommend refrigerating the dumpling sauce in the fridge. The vinegar can be left out at room temperature or stored in the fridge. Have a lovely day!
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
I love your homemade sauce, it's so much easier to make a sauce when it only requires 3 ingredients! And... I had never heard of Chinkiang Vinegar before, it sounds really really good! 😋
mabbi
These were so grood!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
Oh these dumplings look absolutely perfect Christie. Sooo crispy on the outside and delicious!!!
Never Ending Journeys
What a great dumpling dipping sauce! In the past, I've dipped dumplings in spicy mustard, but this sauce looks so tasty. Thanks for sharing this!
Josiah - DIY Thrill
This sauce looks so good!