Name: Chinese Garlic Sauce | Brown Stir-Fry Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Chinese-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 tbsp oil (avocado or sesame); 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1/2 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free); 1/4 cup water; 2 tbsp rice vinegar; 2 tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup; 1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water into slurry); 1 tsp grated ginger (optional); 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional, for heat)

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This Chinese Garlic Sauce is a bold, glossy, and savory brown stir-fry sauce that’s bursting with garlicky umami flavor. It’s quick to make and incredibly versatile—perfect for coating crisp vegetables, tofu, noodles, or your favorite proteins. Whether you’re making a weeknight stir-fry or prepping sauces for the week ahead, this homemade garlic sauce is a go-to pantry essential.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Skip the takeout and enjoy a rich, flavorful sauce made from scratch in just 10 minutes. This sauce is thickened with cornstarch for that classic, velvety texture and layered with sweet, salty, tangy, and slightly spicy notes. It’s customizable, naturally vegan, and can be made gluten-free with tamari. Keep a jar on hand to instantly upgrade any stir-fry, rice bowl, or noodle dish.

ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

Oil (avocado or sesame)
Garlic, minced
Soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
Water
Rice vinegar
Brown sugar or maple syrup
Cornstarch (mixed with water to form a slurry)
Grated ginger (optional)
Chili flakes (optional for heat)

directions

Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic (and grated ginger, if using) and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, but not browned.
Pour in the soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, and brown sugar. Stir well to combine.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then slowly add the cornstarch slurry while whisking constantly.
Continue to cook for 1–2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and turns glossy.
Stir in chili flakes if desired for heat.
Remove from heat and let the sauce cool slightly before using or storing.

Servings and timing

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings (about 2 tablespoons each)
Calories: Approximately 40 kcal per serving

Variations

Sweeter Sauce: Add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar or use honey for a slightly different sweetness.
Spicy Garlic Sauce: Increase chili flakes or stir in a bit of chili garlic sauce for more heat.
Lemon or Orange Twist: Add a splash of citrus juice for a brighter flavor profile.
Five-Spice Infusion: Add a pinch of Chinese five-spice powder for complexity.
Low-Sodium Version: Use low-sodium soy sauce and reduce the sugar slightly.
Peanut-Garlic Fusion: Stir in a spoonful of peanut butter for a rich, nutty variation.

storage/reheating

Store the cooled sauce in a sealed glass jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Reheat gently in a saucepan or microwave before using, adding a splash of water if it has thickened too much.

FAQs

What is Chinese garlic sauce made of?

Chinese garlic sauce is typically made with soy sauce, garlic, a sweetener (like sugar or maple syrup), vinegar, water, and cornstarch to thicken. Optional additions include ginger and chili flakes for added depth and heat.

Is Chinese garlic sauce spicy?

It can be! Chili flakes or chili garlic sauce are optional, so you can adjust the heat level to your preference.

Can I make this sauce gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make it gluten-free.

How do I use this sauce?

This sauce is ideal for stir-frying vegetables, tofu, chicken, shrimp, or beef. It also works well as a finishing sauce for rice or noodle bowls.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely. Double (or triple) all ingredients and store in the refrigerator for quick meals throughout the week.

Can I freeze Chinese garlic sauce?

Yes, store the sauce in an ice cube tray or small freezer-safe container. Thaw and reheat as needed.

What’s the difference between garlic sauce and hoisin sauce?

Garlic sauce is thinner, more savory, and garlicky, while hoisin is thicker, sweeter, and more complex in flavor. Both are used in different Chinese-style dishes.

Is this sauce vegan?

Yes, it’s naturally vegan—just check that your soy sauce and sugar are vegan-certified if needed.

Can I use this as a marinade?

Yes, it works great as a marinade for tofu, chicken, or beef—just be sure not to over-marinate, especially for more delicate proteins.

How do I make the sauce thicker?

Use an extra 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch in the slurry if you prefer a thicker consistency.

Conclusion

This Chinese Garlic Stir-Fry Sauce is your new go-to for quick and flavorful home-cooked meals. Made in minutes with pantry staples, it brings restaurant-quality flavor to your kitchen without the preservatives or added sugar of store-bought sauces. Whether you’re tossing it with noodles, drizzling it over veggies, or marinating your favorite proteins, this versatile sauce adds depth, richness, and irresistible garlicky goodness to any dish.

Chinese Garlic Sauce | Brown Stir-Fry Sauce

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Author: Mari
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings (approx. 2 tbsp each)
Diet: Vegan

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Description

This Chinese Garlic Stir-Fry Sauce is thick, savory, and loaded with umami-rich garlic flavor. Made with soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and a touch of spice, it’s a quick and easy homemade brown sauce perfect for stir-fried veggies, tofu, or noodles.

Instructions

Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Add minced garlic (and ginger, if using). Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in soy sauce, water, vinegar, and sugar. Bring to a simmer.
Add the cornstarch slurry while whisking to prevent lumps.
Simmer and whisk for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
Stir in chili flakes if desired. Remove from heat and cool slightly.