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kung pao sauce on kung pao chicken dish

Easy Kung Pao Sauce

Elevate your homemade meals with this spicy, tangy, savory-sweet kung pao sauce that's simply better than takeout.
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Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Keyword: kung pao, kung pao sauce, peppercorns, shaoxing wine, sichuan, spicy
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 3 servings
Calories: 158kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or Chinese black vinegar for authenticity
  • 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
  • ½ tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1½ tablespoons sugar
  • ½ cup water or chicken stock
  • 3 teaspoons cornstarch

Aromatics & Spice:

  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil peanut, canola, or vegetable
  • 4 dried red chilies broken in half and seeds removed for less heat
  • 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tsp fresh ginger minced

Instructions

  • Mix the sauce base – In a small bowl, whisk together light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, water or stock, and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside.
    3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1½ tablespoons sugar, ½ cup water or chicken stock, 3 teaspoons cornstarch
  • Place a sauce pot over medium heat. Add the neutral oil.
    2 tablespoons neutral oil
  • Infuse by adding dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorns to the hot oil. Stir-fry for 10 seconds until slightly fragrant.
    Add in the Shaoxing wine. Infuse for another 10 seconds.
    4 dried red chilies, 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
  • Add aromatics – Stir in the minced garlic and ginger. Cook until fragrant.
    2 cloves garlic, 2 tsp fresh ginger
  • Add the sauce mixture – Give the sauce another quick stir (to redistribute the cornstarch) and pour it into the sauce pot. Bring to a simmer.
  • Thicken and Stir constantly until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.
    Stir in the sesame oil.
    Remove from the heat.
    ½ tablespoon sesame oil
  • Serve – Use immediately with stir-fried chicken, tofu, shrimp, or vegetables, or store in a glass jar.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Easy Kung Pao Sauce
Amount per Serving
Calories
158
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
12
g
18
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Trans Fat
 
0.04
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
7
g
Sodium
 
912
mg
40
%
Potassium
 
84
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
 
10
g
3
%
Fiber
 
0.2
g
1
%
Sugar
 
6
g
7
%
Protein
 
2
g
4
%
Vitamin A
 
0.2
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
11
mg
1
%
Iron
 
0.4
mg
2
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.