Real Chinese All Purpose Stir Fry Sauce (Charlie!)
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
2 mins
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Total Time
2 mins
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Servings
1 1/2 cups
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Calories
34 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Main Course
Real Chinese All Purpose Stir Fry Sauce (Charlie!)
Description
The Real Chinese All Purpose Stir Fry Sauce (Charlie!) is a versatile mixture featuring light soy sauce for saltiness and color control, oyster sauce for depth, and Chinese cooking wine adding characteristic flavor. Toasted sesame oil enhances aroma while cornstarch thickens the sauce during cooking, ensuring it clings well to ingredients without pooling excessively. The balance of sugar and white pepper subtly complements the savory components.
This sauce is designed for stir frying proteins and vegetables in a wok or frying pan over high heat. Its viscosity and flavor allow it to coat ingredients evenly, lending the dish a harmonious savory taste without overwhelming sogginess. Adjusting the water addition when cooking noodles or a stir fry changes the sauciness to suit texture preferences.
To use, heat oil and base flavorings, then follow with ingredients ordered by cook time. Leafy greens, added with the sauce, retain their texture and color due to the timing. The sauce keeps well refrigerated for weeks, though cornstarch may settle requiring stirring. Substitutions include hoisin sauce for a vegan alternative, and dry sherry for Chinese cooking wine.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup soy sauce Note 1, light
- 1/2 cup oyster sauce
- 1/4 cup Chinese wine (or dry sherry) (Note 5)
- 1/4 cup cornstarch or cornflour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp sesame oil , toasted
- 1 tsp ground white pepper (I sometimes use 1 tbsp, I like the spiciness!)
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a jar and shake to combine. Store in fridge and shake before use.
Amount to Use (Note 6):
- Stir Fry: I use 3 tbsp Stir Fry Sauce + 6 tbsp water to make a stir frying for 2 people using around 5 cups of uncooked ingredients (proteins + vegetables).
- Noodles: I use 3 tbsp of the Stir Fry sauce + 5 - 6 tbsp water to make a noodle stir fry for 2 people using around 7 cups of the combined stir fry uncooked (vegetables - packed, proteins + noodles - if using).
- By weight (Noodles & Stir Fry): Around 3 tbsp Stir Fry Sauce per 1 lb / 500g of combined ingredients (proteins + vegetables + noodles if using) plus 1/3 cup water.
To Use:
- Heat 2 tbsp oil in wok over high heat.
- Add your choice of Base Flavourings - fry for 10 seconds or so to infuse oil.
- Add stir fry ingredients in order of time to cook (starting with ingredients that take longest to cook), leaving leafy greens, like the leaves of bok choy, until when you add the sauce (otherwise they will wilt and overcook).
- Add noodles (if using), sauce and water, your choice of Additional Flavourings and any leafy greens.
- Gently toss to combine and to let the sauce cook for around 1 minute. The sauce will become a thick, glossy sauce that coats your stir fry.
- Serve immediately with rice - or for a low carb, low cal option, try Cauliflower Rice!
Base Flavourings
- Garlic, minced or finely sliced
- Ginger, minced or finely sliced
- Fresh chillies, minced or finely sliced
Additional Flavouring Suggestions
- Sriracha, Chilli Bean Paste or other Spicy addition
- Sweet chilli sauce
- Substitute the water with pineapple or orange juice
- Rice vinegar - for a touch of tartness
- Fresh cilantro / coriander leaves, or thai basil - for freshness
- Garlic or ordinary chives, chopped
- Pinch of Chinese five spice powder
Notes
- Use light soy sauce for a lighter color but saltier flavor; all-purpose soy sauce can substitute.
- Adjust water when cooking dried noodles to maintain sauce consistency.
- For a vegan version, swap oyster sauce with hoisin sauce, resulting in a slightly different spice profile.
- Store the sauce refrigerated; cornstarch may settle and harden, requiring stirring before use.
- Chinese cooking wine gives depth; dry sherry or mirin can substitute; non-alcoholic options include apple or grape juice with vinegar and sugar.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 11/2 cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 34 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 18g | |
| Calories | 34cal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 3.7g | 1% |
| Protein | 0.6g | 1% |
| Fat | 1.7g | 3% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.7g | 10% |
| Sodium | 504mg | 21% |
| Sugar | 0.9g | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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