Asian Delight: Easy Egg Roll Dipping Sauce Recipe

As an avid home cook who enjoys preparing Asian-inspired dishes, I always have staples like soy sauce, rice vinegar and sesame oil in my pantry. Egg roll sauce is a necessity when enjoying crispy and crunchy appetizers like egg rolls and crab rangoon, which are some of my favorite snacks to make. While many Chinese restaurants provide the sauce in small packets or in larger tubs for dine in, I prefer making my own homemade version, so I can adjust the flavor to perfectly complement my cooking style and taste preferences.

This quick and easy egg roll dipping sauce recipe that only requires a few basic Asian ingredients allows me to develop a sauce that has the right balance of slightly sweet and savory flavors, tangy but not overwhelming. Since I often meal prep snacks like dumplings and spring rolls to grab throughout the week, having my own staple egg roll sauce recipe ensures I always have a delicious dipping option on hand versus the ones that come in packets. With staples, I always keep stocked, I can whip up a perfect complement for any appetizers I decide to cook up.

What is Egg Roll Dipping Sauce? 

Egg roll dipping sauce is a simple yet perfect condiment to accompany egg rolls, spring rolls, and other fried or baked wontons, dumplings, and samosas. The most basic egg roll dipping sauce is made from a blend of aromatic spices, rice wine vinegar, cornstarch, soy sauce, and sesame oil. This creates a sauce that is slightly sweet yet tangy. The cornstarch helps the sauce stick nicely to foods without being too thin or runny.

There are many variations on the basic egg roll dipping sauce recipe that use different fresh ingredients and spices to complement various fillings. Sauces can have more of an Asian-inspired chili kick with the addition of red pepper flakes or gochujang paste. Or they can have varied levels of sweetness depending on whether sugar is added. The sauce helps balance out rich or savory fillings that are common in egg rolls like meats, seafood, or mixed vegetables. Overall, egg roll dipping sauce is a versatile condiment that enhances both fried and baked appetizers and works well alongside Asian stir fries, soups, and proteins.

Why You’ll Love Egg Roll Dipping Sauce

Egg roll dipping sauce is a versatile and flavorful condiment commonly served with appetizers in Asian cuisine. Made from a simple blend of pantry staples like soy sauce, rice vinegar and sesame oil, it comes together quickly for an addictive dressing or dip. Some of the key reasons you’ll love having egg roll dipping sauce on hand are:

• It provides the perfect balance of salty, sour and sweet flavors that complement a wide variety of foods
• A little sauce goes a long way to enhance the taste of dishes without overpowering them
• The sauce adds moisture and cling factor to fried or baked appetizers
• It’s very easy to make with ingredients you likely already have
• The sauce will keep in the fridge for weeks so you always have flavor on demand

Whether you need a dip for dumplings, a drizzle for a bowl of noodles or want to elevate plain veggies, egg roll dipping sauce brings an impressive depth of flavor with minimum effort. Its versatility and ability to boost the taste of so many dishes make it a go-to condiment worth keeping stocked in your kitchen.

Ingredients

How To Make It

To make egg roll dipping sauce, combine rice wine vinegar, cornstarch, low sodium soy sauce, dark brown sugar, grated ginger, garlic powder and onion powder in a small saucepan. Whisk together until smooth then bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.

Remove from heat and stir in apricot or peach jam, apple sauce and pickled plum brine from jarred plums or extra rice vinegar. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more sweetener or vinegar for balance. Thin with a little water if the sauce seems too thick. To serve, transfer to a small bowl and allow cooling before serving alongside egg rolls or using in recipes. The sauce should have a balanced sweet, salty and sour flavor with a subtle pickled plum taste.

When combining the ingredients in the saucepan, be sure to whisk thoroughly to eliminate any cornstarch clumps. Simmer while stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. For the finishing touches, taste and tweak flavors as preferred with more jam, brine or vinegar. Once cooled, the beautifully balanced sauce is ready to enjoy!

RELATED: Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

How To Make Ahead

The egg roll dipping sauce keeps incredibly well and can be made in advance to enjoy throughout the week. Its high sauce-to-ingredient ratio means it maintains its freshness longer than many other homemade sauces. With proper refrigeration or freezing, you can make a big batch to have on hand for those last-minute Asian cooking sessions. Both storage methods preserve the bright flavors of the sauce so you’re never without this tasty condiment. Now for the specifics on refrigerator and freezer storage:

Storage

The egg roll dipping sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for 5–7 days. For storage, transfer the cooled sauce to an airtight container such as a mason jar. The sauce may thicken up while refrigerated, so you can thin it out slightly with a teaspoon of water or apple juice as needed when reheating. Having the homemade sauce on hand makes for quick and delicious Asian dips anytime.

Freezing

For even longer storage, you can freeze the egg roll dipping sauce for 3–4 months. Place the cooled sauce in a freezer-safe plastic bag or container, squeezing out as much air as possible before sealing tight. When ready to use, thaw the sauce overnight in the fridge before reheating if needed. A homemade sauce in the freezer is handy whenever a last minute craving for egg rolls strikes!

This versatile recipe allows you to whip up a batch of delicious dipping sauce to have on hand for grab-and-go snacks with egg rolls, dumplings or more. Refrigeration and freezing ensures you can enjoy it for days to come.

Creamy Egg Roll Dipping Sauce

For those who love a luscious creamy texture with their egg rolls, try making a lite mayonnaise-based version. Simply whisk together 6 tablespoons light or regular mayonnaise with 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1⁄2 tablespoon sesame oil, 1⁄2 tablespoon grated ginger, 1 minced garlic clove and a pinch each of sugar and salt. Starting with small amounts allows you to adjust seasonings to your preference. This sauce delivers richness without being too heavy. A swirl of mayo gives each bite an indulgent quality balanced by the bright vinegary notes. It’s a lovely way to switch things up when you want the egg rolls to truly shine as the star of the meal.

What To Serve With Egg Roll Dipping Sauce

Egg roll dipping sauce is the classic condiment for Chinese or Vietnamese-style appetizers. Dipping sauce for egg rolls and spring rolls is incredibly tasty when dipped or drizzled with the balanced sweet and sour flavors. Other great starter options to serve with the sauce include pot stickers, gyoza or pot stickers. Crab Rangoon and shrimp wontons also benefit from a dip or drizzle of the sauce for an extra layer of moisture and zing.

The versatility of egg roll dipping sauce doesn’t stop at appetizers. It can also be enjoyed as an accompaniment to more substantial dishes like beef and broccoli, sesame chicken stir-fry, or baked salmon. A drizzle pairs especially well with lean proteins and veggies for an extra dose of aroma and taste. You can also use it as a sauce for lettuce wraps. Alongside the dipping sauce, including condiments like Chinese hot mustard provides optional heat and uniqueness. So don’t limit this addictive sauce to just appetizers – let your taste buds discover its many other pairings as well!

Substitutions & Variations

• Rice vinegar: Can substitute white vinegar, white wine vinegar or lemon juice.
• Dark brown sugar: Try honey, maple syrup or molasses as a sweetener.
• Ginger: Use freshly grated or powdered ginger, or omit for a milder flavor.
• Fruit: Swap apricot or peach for mango, cranberry or lemon curd.
• Spices: Add minced garlic, red pepper flakes or five-spice powder.
• Thickness: Use tomato paste, applesauce or soy milk to adjust thickness.
• Creaminess: Swap 2 Tbsp of mayo or plain Greek yogurt for a cream cheese variation.
• Plums: Substitute canned pineapple juice or pickled jalapenos for the brine.
• Nut butter: Stir in a tablespoon of almond or peanut butter for nutty richness.
• Herbs: Finish with a dash of sesame seeds, cilantro or basil.
• Hotness: Mix in Sriracha or Chinese hot chili oil for heat.

Experiment with different combinations of vinegars, sweeteners, fruits and spices to customize flavor profiles to taste. The sauce is very adaptable.

Info On Pickled Plum

Asian markets and international grocery stores often carry pickled plums, known as Chinese preserved plums or Japanese umeboshi plums. They are small red or purple plums that have been sun-dried or brined in a salty-sour liquid and develop an intensely tart flavor.

While some versions of the plums are very salty preserved fruits meant to be eaten on their own as a snack, those used for making sweet sauces have a much more balanced flavor profile. Look for jarred plums packed in a thin, sour-yet-tangy brine.

Instead of whole plums, just a teaspoon or two of the bright red plum brine adds a potent punch of flavor without extra seeds. For an even smoother texture, mash the plums to a fine paste directly in the jar using the back of a fork. You can also strain the mashed plum residue from the brine through a fine mesh strainer or sieve.

The pickled plum imparts a vivid note that enhances fruitier egg roll dipping sauce recipes using jam or apricot in place of or along with the plum brine. Despite the name, the salty dried varieties are not preferable here where a sweeter plum taste is desired. So be sure to read labels carefully when selecting your pickled plums.

Tips By The Saucy Canvas

Making the perfect egg roll dipping sauce requires finding the right balance of sweet, salty, and sour flavors. Here are a few tricks I’ve learned to help tweak the sauce to your taste:

Pickled Plum Variety

When choosing your pickled plums, consider using a milder brined variety rather than very salty dried plums meant as snacks. Just a teaspoon or two of brine adds vibrant flavor without extra seeds.

Remove Seeds

For a smoother texture, mash the plums directly in the jar using a fork to make a fine paste. Then strain through a small sieve to remove any residual seeds or pulp.

Vinegar Alternatives

You can substitute 2 tablespoons rice vinegar with 1 tablespoon white or apple cider vinegar plus 1 tablespoon water or unsweetened apple juice for a lighter flavor.

Seasoning Balance

Start with less salt and adjust to taste, as salted jam or applesauce can also increase saltiness. You may need a pinch more to achieve the right salinity.

Sweetness Level

Play with fruit sweeteners like jam, applesauce or sucrose-sweetened jam to suit your preferences. Fruit adds natural sweetness without additional sugars.

I hope these tips help you tweak the sauce to make it your own perfect egg roll dipping sauce! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Other Homemade Sauces

• Mint Sauce
• Crab Butter
• Garlic Alfredo Sauce
• Creamy Peppercorn Sauce
• Honey Mustard Sauce

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide has given you insight and inspiration to craft the perfect egg roll dipping sauce according to your tastes. Whether you prefer the classic sweet and sour version, spice it up with chili garlic sauce or go for a creamy richness, don’t be afraid to experiment. Part of the beauty of this condiment is its versatility. Enjoy bringing different flavors to the table by mixing and matching ingredients. Most importantly, have fun dipping and don’t be shy to lick the bowl clean! The sauce is only the beginning – now get cooking and enjoy some crispy egg rolls as a tasty treat anytime cravings strike.

Common Recipe Questions (FAQs)

What is egg roll sauce made of? 

Typical ingredients include rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger and garlic for a classic sweet and sour flavor profile.

What is Chinese dipping sauce made of? 

Sauces vary widely but often contain rice vinegar, chili oil or chili garlic sauce for heat, and hoisin or plum sauces for sweetness.

What to eat with egg rolls sauce?

Egg rolls, spring rolls, pot stickers and dim sum dumplings are perfect for dipping. The sauce also adds flavor to stir-fries and rice dishes.

What is sweet and sour sauce made of?

Rice vinegar or lime juice, ketchup or pineapple juice, brown sugar and tomatoes provide the signature sweet and sour balance.

What is the red sauce you dip egg rolls in? 

Plum sauce or chili garlic sauce are common red dipping sauces served with egg rolls and other appetizers in some Chinese restaurants.

What is the mother sauce of Chinese?

Soy sauce is considered the “mother sauce” that forms the foundation of many Chinese sauces and dishes.

What are the 6 Chinese sauces? 

Typical Chinese sauces include soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, black bean sauce, sweet wheat paste and fermented black bean sauce.

What is the most popular sauce for Chinese food?

Soy sauce is arguably the most widely used seasoning in Chinese cooking, being featured in many other sauces and dishes across various regional cuisines.

What is the brown sauce Chinese restaurants use?

Soy sauce is frequently the essential brown sauce used as the foundation of other Chinese sauces and in cooking within restaurants and home kitchens.

What sauces go well with egg rolls?

Plum sauce, hoisin sauce, sweet chili sauce and soy sauce with ginger all pair nicely. For heat, try chili garlic or sriracha. Honey mustard also makes a tasty egg roll dip.

What is sweet egg roll dipping sauce recipe? 

A basic recipe uses rice vinegar, brown sugar or honey, grated ginger and minced garlic for a gently sweet and sour sauce.

Egg Roll Dipping Sauce Recipe

Recipe by The Saucy CanvasCourse: Classic SaucesCuisine: Asian

Servings

1 cup

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Calories

202

kcal

Total time

5

minutes

Dip into culinary bliss with our Egg Roll Dipping Sauce recipe. This perfect blend of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors complements crispy egg rolls like no other. Simple to prepare and bursting with deliciousness, it’s sure to elevate your appetizer game to new heights.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger grated

• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce

• 2 tbsp Any Fruit Jam

• 1 whole japanese pickled plum

Directions

• In a small saucepan, whisk together the rice wine vinegar and cornstarch (while still cold). Turn on heat to low-medium.
• Whisk in the soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, onion and sesame oil.
• Bring to a low simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Remove from heat and serve as-is or pour through a fine mesh sieve for a smooth sauce.
• Serve with your favorite egg rolls, dumplings or gyoza.

Notes

• If you can’t find pickled plum, add a little more vinegar with a small pinch of salt to taste. If using umeboshi paste  from a tube, use 1 to 1.5 tsp.
• Store the sauce in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. To thin the sauce, add a teaspoon of water or apple juice to taste.
• Japanese or Chinese pickled plum tastes salty, sour, and with a hint of sweet flavor. To use it, remove the seed and use a fork to mash it into a paste. You can also use a small fine strainer and a spoon to press the plum through the sieve to make a fine paste.