BEST Chinese Garlic Sauce Recipe (AKA Brown Stir Fry Sauce!) (2024)

This Chinese garlic sauce is a version of the Chinese brown sauce you’ve likely had at your favorite Chinese restaurant or for takeout. It’s a savory sauce with a touch sweetness that you’re most likely to find on a stir fry but it’s also amazing as a dipping sauce.

The slightly thick sauce is a blend of garlic, broth, sugar, and oils with garlic and ginger — and just enough cornstarch to give it the right consistency. It’s as aromatic as it is flavorful, and it coats your proteins and vegetables perfectly in any stir fry recipe.

The next time you’re looking for an easy recipe to help recreate your favorite Chinese takeout, or if you need an amazing sauce for appetizers for a party, try this delicious Chinese garlic sauce.

What is Chinese Garlic Sauce?

Chinese Garlic Sauce, sometimes called stir fry sauce or just plain brown sauce, is a staple in Chinese-American kitchens. It adds deep umami flavors to many dishes but can also be used as a dipping sauce.

This sauce is well-balanced with the main flavor being savory, but it also incorporates sweet and spicy flavors (if you choose to use the crushed red pepper flakes).

What is Chinese Garlic Sauce Made of?

The main ingredient that lends so much flavor to the sauce is garlic, of course, but it also has deep flavor imparted by soy sauce, broth, rice wine, and sesame oil. Brown sugar lends sweetness and red pepper flakes add spice.

Which Veggies are Best in Stir Fry?

Anything goes as far as veggies. In fact, this is a great recipe to use up odds and ends in the vegetable crisper. Just make sure to chop or shred them to a similar size and choose those with a similar cook time or add them based on cook time.

Here are some of my favorites:

How to Make Stir Fry

If you are using this brown sauce to make stir fry, here are basic instructions. You’ll need a few cups of chopped or shredded veggies and a couple cups of protein (shrimp, scallops, chicken, pork, cubed beef or tofu) — any type you like!

1. Cook protein. In a large skillet or wok, add a tablespoon of neutral oil over medium heat. Cook the protein until it is fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
2. Add veggies. Add another tablespoon of neutral oil to the skillet and add the vegetables, cooking for a few minutes, depending on cut, size and nature. Cook until still snappy.
3. Return protein to pan. Add the protein back to the skillet along with stir fry sauce, tossing to coat.
4. Serve over stir fry noodles, white rice, or fried rice. Make this a lower carb dish by using fried cauliflower rice.

Why You’ll Love this Chinese Garlic Sauce Recipe

If you love Chinese food you’ll adore this homemade garlic sauce.

• Easy – Hands-on prep time for this easy sauce is so minimal and so is cleanup.
• Accessible – If you don’t already have these ingredients you can find them easily at the local grocery store.
• Customizable – You can switch up the flavors to make this your signature garlic sauce.
• Affordable – These simple ingredients aren’t expensive — you can whip this up any time or make a big batch to keep it handy for when you need it.

Ingredients

All of these ingredients work together to build the defining flavors of this sauce.

• Vegetable oil or canola oil – These are the standard oils used for this recipe but you can use any neutral oil like avocado oil, olive oil, or coconut oil.
• Fresh garlic – Make sure to finely mince or press the garlic so it mixes well into the sauce.
• Fresh ginger – Grating works best for ginger in this recipe but you can chop it finely, too.
• Low sodium soy sauce – This ingredient adds so much umami flavor.
• Low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth – Chicken stock or vegetable stock add depth to the sauce.
• Chinese rice wine or rice vinegar – Rice wine or rice wine vinegar add acidity to balance the sauce.
• Light brown sugar – Instead of using honey to make it a bit sweet, use brown sugar. If you want deeper sweet flavor use dark brown sugar.
• Sesame oil – This oil helps develop the flavor profile.
• Water – Water helps to build the right consistency.
• Cornstarch – Cornstarch thickens the sauce.

How To Serve Chinese Garlic Sauce

You can serve this as a sauce on a main dish or as a dipping sauce.

• Stir fry – Finish any stir fry with this classic sauce.You can use on a beef stir fry, vegetable stir fry or chicken stir fry.
• Veggies – This sauce taste great on most vegetables, but we especially love using it on mushrooms, snap peas, snow peas, a broccoli stir fry or any other stir fry vegetables.
• Dipping sauce – Serve this sauce in a small bowl alongside crab rangoon, egg rolls, dumplings, or other appetizers.
• Spread – Spread this sauce on buns before adding grilled burgers or chicken for Asian-style sandwiches.
• Marinade – Marinate beef, pork, or chicken before roasting or grilling.

Variations

Put your own spin on this versatile sauce with plenty of substitutes. Here are a few ideas to get you started to suit your tastes.

• Szechuan sauce– Add 1-2 teaspoons of crushed Szechuan peppercorns, also known as Sichuan peppercorn. These unique peppercorns aren’t related to black pepper and can create a tingly, numb sensation in your mouth when eaten on their own.
• Make it spicy– For a hot garlic sauce with more spicy flavor, double the crushed red pepper flakes or add 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha hot sauce or Chinese chili oil.You can also add red chili flakes, chili peppers, or your other favorite spicy ingredients.
• Make it sweet– Omit the crushed red pepper flakes and double the brown sugar. You can also try using a little bit of maple syrup.
• Add color– Finely sliced green onions give the sauce color.
• Unique flavor– Try adding oyster sauce or hoisin sauce, or swapping either for some of the soy sauce.
• Starch– Instead of cornstarch, experiment with alternatives like tapioca flour or your favorite alternative.
• Sesame seeds– For more sesame flavor, sprinkle in some sesame seeds.
• Garlic– If you like strong garlic flavor, add as much minced garlic as you like.

Storage, Make Ahead and Freezing

We like storing this in a glass jar like a mason jar, but any airtight container will work.

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

You can grate or mince the ginger or garlic ahead of time and mix the sauce when ready. You can also make the entire sauce and then store until ready to serve — heat or serve at room temperature or cold. Shake well before using.

How to Store Chinese Garlic Sauce

Store this easy stir fry sauce for 4-5 days in the fridge in an airtight container with a lid or ziploc bag.

How to Freeze Chinese Garlic Sauce

Freeze this stir fry sauce recipe for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container, freezer bag, or ice cube tray.

Common Questions About Chinese Garlic Sauce

Other Asian-inspired Sauces

If you’d like to try some other sauces with Asian flair, these are some of our favorites.