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Home » Appetizers

Szechuan Sauce Recipe

Published: Jan 13, 2021 by Amira · This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

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Szechuan, also sichuan sauce is a hot and spicy sauce with bold flavors used in Chinese cuisine. Mcdonald’s szechuan sauce was briefly released in 1998. Here is an easy recipe with simple ingredients.
Total time 8 minutes
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

A bold and spicy sauce made in less than 10 minutes with everyday pantry staples. Szechuan sauce will take your noodles or stir fry to the next level. Use it as a dip or as a tofu or meat marinade.

Next try this amazing Big mac sauce for your next burger.

A jar of szechuan sauce over a green and white kitchen towel.
Szechuan sauce is perfect for giving a twist to your favorite chili, stir-fry or as a spicy party dip.

This sauce is very adaptable to your heat preferred level, vegan and gluten free adaptable.

Jump to:
  • ❓Why This Recipe Works
  • 📝 Ingredients
  • 🥄 Instructions
  • 💡 Tips
  • 🍽️ Serve With
  • 💬 FAQs
  • Recipe at a glance:
  • 📣 Related Recipes
  • Szechuan Sauce

❓Why This Recipe Works

This sauce is for you, my fellow spicy food fanatics out there🔥😍. How to know if you are one? here are some facts:

  • You keep checking the store condiments aisle for new hot sauce(s) to try out.✅
  • Have a special shelf in your fridge for all your hot sauce,  Frank's, Sriracha and Tabasco.✅
  • If you go to the Asian store often, even if it is miles away, to try their new varieties.✅
  • Have all sorts of dry chilis in your spice cabinet.✅
  • You are not excited about any food unless it gets you those little beads of sweat on your forehead.✅

You will also love how easy and adaptable this sauce is besides this sauce is great with almost anything much like the easy homemade Harissa.

📝 Ingredients

Szechuan sauce ingredients are easy to find in your nearby stores.

Ingredient Notes

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you so much for being a part of Amira’sPantry!

  • Balsamic vinegar and red wine vinegar are used to compensate for the sake ( or other alcoholic ingredient) taste that is often times used.
  • Use vegetable stock for a vegan sauce.
  • Use tamari soy sauce instead of soy sauce for gluten free version but you will need to adjust salt level.
  • You can use any chili sauce you like, I prefer the Asian chili sauce.

🥄 Instructions

A collage of 4 images showing how to make szechuan sauce on stovetop.
  1. In a small sauce pan combine soy sauce, vinegar(s), chili sauce, ginger, garlic and brown sugar. Taste to make sure the seasonings are right for you.
  2. Bring mixture to a low boil. Meanwhile, dissolve the cornstarch in the broth.
  3. Add to the saucepan and mix well.
  4. Simmer until it thickens, and that's it.

💡 Tips

  • You can skip adding the brown sugar if you do not like it or use maple syrup or any sweetener of your choice.
  • If you are going to use the sauce for your stir fri or noodles there is no need to cook the sauce separately. Just mix sauce ingredients in a measuring cup or so and our it over your stir fri while you are cooking it.

🍽️ Serve With

This hot and spicy sauce will jazz up any boring meal. It is perfect for putting a new twist on your favorite chili recipe or stir-fry. Coat Buffalo cauliflower wings with Szechuan Sauce and bake . Spice up your noodle or rice bowl, I can imagine it over many dishes. Think Pizza, sandwiches, burgers and even morning scrambled eggs.. a spicy kick in every meal.

Chopsticks dipping a dumpling in a jar of sauce.

💬 FAQs

What is Szechuan sauce ?

Szechuan, Szechwan or Sichuan is a province in southwest China. Their cuisine is best described as bold and spicy 🌶 due to their excessive and liberal use of the Szechuan pepper. Authentic szechuan sauce recipe uses Sichuan peppercorn powder and A LOT of red chilies and garlic.

What does Szechuan sauce taste like?

Szechuan sauce is a very well balanced dipping sauce. It carries sweet and savory flavors with loads of heat there. Someone described it as having your sweet-and-sour chicken all mixed up with soy sauce and extra heat😋.

How to store the sauce?

This sauce can be kept in fridge for up to 6 weeks and freezes very well too.

Recipe at a glance:

Szechuan-sauce

📣 Related Recipes

  • A delicious and easy recipe for Big Mac Sauce with the perfect balance to wonderfully upgrade your homemade burger sandwich.
  • Chermoula takes just about any dish to the next level a wonderful combination of fresh herbs and spices.
  • Easy harissa recipe made with fresh ingredients and adjusted to your heat level.

I hope you'll like this recipe and please if you make this recipe, snap a pic and hashtag it #amiraspantry — I love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter!
Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for the FREE Amira's Pantry newsletter delivered to your inbox with lots of tips and surprises! And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for all the latest updates.

If you like this recipe do not forget to give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and attach a photo of your finished dish. It is always a pleasure of mine to see your photos and check your own take of the recipe. Thank you.

A jar of szechuan sauce over a green and white kitchen towel.

Szechuan Sauce

Szechuan, also sichuan sauce is a hot and spicy sauce with bold flavors used in Chinese cuisine. Mcdonald’s szechuan sauce was briefly released in 1998. Here is an easy recipe with simple ingredients.
5 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate
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Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Chinese
Diet: Halal
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes
Servings: 16 Tablespoons
Calories: 16kcal
Author: Amira

Ingredients

  • 5 large garlic cloves
  • 1.5 inch piece of fresh ginger peeled and minced.
  • 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Asian chili garlic sauce or any gluten free hot sauce.
  • 3 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 cup chicken broth low sodium.
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch.
  • Optional: Crushed Red pepper flakes or sesame seeds for garnishing.

Instructions

  • In a sauce pan over medium heat, mix the first 7 ingredients and bring to a light boil.
  • Dissolve cornstarch in broth.
  • Stir in the cornstarch mixture and whisk until it thickens, about 2 minutes.

Notes

  • You can skip adding the brown sugar if you do not like it or use maple syrup or any sweetener of your choice.
  • If you are going to use the sauce for your stir fri or noodles there is no need to cook the sauce separately. Just mix sauce ingredients in a measuring cup or so and our it over your stir fri while you are cooking it.
  • Use vegetable stock for a vegan sauce.
  • Use Tamari instead of soy sauce for gluten free version but use a little less as it might make the sauce too salty.
  • You can use any chili sauce you like, I prefer the Asian chili sauce.
  • This is a hot sauce recipe, but it is very adjustable to your heat level.
Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 16kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 269mg | Potassium: 35mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg
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First published March, 2018 . Last updated January 12, 2021 with important tips, clear step by step instructions and readability.

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About Amira

I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! My hope is to introduce you to new flavors, creative ways and fresh takes on favorites. To help you create food with style that will bring everyone around your kitchen table. From weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Geraldine Rees

    May 23, 2019 at 11:18 am

    Can I make a batch of this and freeze it in portions?

    Reply
    • Amira

      May 25, 2019 at 6:24 pm

      Geraldine, I've never tried this before.

      Reply
  2. Xtine C

    April 17, 2019 at 2:19 am

    I cannot wait to make this sauce for my family for our Easter lunch. I will put this sauce over shrimps and sausage..I hope it will taste great when I make it Thank you for sharing your recipe!

    Reply
    • Amira

      April 17, 2019 at 11:48 am

      Xtine, thank you so much for trying this recipe. I hope you'll like it, just a side note, this is a hot recipe so watch out if your have kids around. Let me know how it went with you.

      Reply
  3. Emily

    December 29, 2018 at 7:10 pm

    5 stars
    Tried this recipe twice already and We liked it so much. I have a husband who is crazy about spicy food and wants it over everything. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Amira

      December 31, 2018 at 11:59 am

      Thank you Emily, so pleased you enjoyed this.

      Reply
  4. Mason A.

    December 29, 2018 at 2:58 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for this great recipe, Amira! I have one question, though. I’ve been using honey for almost everything as a sweeter. Do you think honey would work, instead of brown sugar or would it lose some of the richness?

    Reply
    • Amira

      December 31, 2018 at 12:03 pm

      Mason, I do not see why not. The consistency might be a little bit watery than using sugar but I do not see that as a problem. Let me know if you have any more questions.

      Reply
  5. Cecile M Roy

    March 03, 2018 at 7:46 am

    5 stars
    I have been away from blogging... and even following my favorite bloggers such as yourself, for a while now. This sauce looks wonderful... and does the McDonald sauce. Gonna PIN both of these!! ; O )

    Reply
    • Amira

      March 03, 2018 at 10:49 pm

      Cecile, Thank you for your sweet comment, I hope you are doing great in Florida now and you'll continue soon sharing your sweet recipes and adventures in the kitchen.

      Reply

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Hey Y'all, I'm Amira.
I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by!
I send warm greetings from sunny Colorado. This blog combines weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean.
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