Servings
Font
Back
Authentic Chinese Plum Sauce (Duck Sauce)
4.9 from 114 votes

Authentic Chinese Plum Sauce (Duck Sauce)

This Authentic Chinese Plum Sauce offers a rich combination of pitted plums, garnet yam, apple cider vinegar, and spices simmered into a smooth, thick sauce. Whole spices toasted and added in a sachet infuse the sauce with cinnamon, star anise, cloves, Sichuan peppercorn, and fennel flavors. The resulting sauce is glossy, tangy, sweet, and warmly spiced, ideal for dipping, glazing, or complementing savory dishes.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
Servings: 64 tablespoons (2 pints)
Calories: 21 kcal
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds plum pitted and chopped
  • 1/2 cup garnet yam diced, orange flesh
  • 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons ginger grated fresh
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon salt sea salt
  • For the Spice Mixture:
  • 1 cinnamon stick 2-3 inch piece
  • 2 star anise whole
  • 4 clove whole
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorn NOT the same thing as black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds whole
  • Chinese five spice powder highly recommend using the spice mixture for the very best flavor, but can substitute five spice powder if needed, alternative to cinnamon stick

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place all the ingredients except for the spice mixture in a medium-sized pot and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.  Use an immersion blender or transfer to a blender to puree until smooth (then return to pot).  
  2. Place the whole spices (skip if using store-bought five spice powder) in a small dry pan and toast over medium-high heat just until fragrant.  Be careful not to scorch the spices or they will taste bitter.  Let the spices cool and then place the whole spices in a piece of cheesecloth tied shut with string or in a tea sachet.  Do the same if using store-bought ground five spice powder. 
  3. Place the spice packet in the pot with the plum sauce and continue to simmer uncovered for 25-45 minutes until the sauce is thickened to the desired consistency.  Discard the spice packet.  Let the sauce cool.  Store in the fridge in an airtight non-reactive container.  Will keep for up to 2 weeks.
  4. CANNING INSTRUCTIONS:  Ladle the hot plum sauce into sterilized jars, seal with the lids and process in a boiling water canner for 15 minutes.  Turn off the heat and let sit for 5 minutes.  Remove the jars and let sit undisturbed for 24 hours then check the seals.  Will keep in a dark, cool place for at least a year.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1tablespoon Calories 21kcal (1%) Carbohydrates 5g (2%) Sodium 51mg (2%) Potassium 41mg (1%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 50IU (1%) Vitamin C 1.7mg (2%) Calcium 5mg (1%) Iron 0.1mg (1%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 64 tablespoons (2 pints)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 21

% Daily Value*

Serving 1tablespoon
Calories 21kcal 1%
Carbohydrates 5g 2%
Sodium 51mg 2%
Potassium 41mg 1%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 50IU 1%
Vitamin C 1.7mg 2%
Calcium 5mg 1%
Iron 0.1mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.