Dip into Flavor: Best Sauce Recipes for Soup Dumplings

As cooler weather approaches, we’re already looking forward to indulging in our favorite comfort food: soup dumplings (xiao long bao). However, they can be pretty complicated to prepare — which is why United Dumplings offers frozen soup dumplings for your convenience. From the traditional Pork Soup Dumplings to the more innovative Frozen Crab and Pork Soup Dumplings, we’ve plenty of options for you to choose from. While they can be enjoyed on their own, a dipping sauce adds a unique depth to the flavor profile. Below are some of our favorite recipes for the best sauce for soup dumplings.

Read More: Elevate Your Meals: 4 Must-Try Best Frozen Soup Dumplings at Home

The Classic Soy Ginger Sauce:
For a Flavor Boost

 

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp Chinkiang vinegar (or Chinese black vinegar)
• 2 tbsp ginger (thinly-sliced strips)
• 1 tbsp sugar

Instructions

Simply combine all the ingredients — and that’s it! This is the best sauce for soup dumplings if you want something light, refreshing, and extremely easy to prepare. It’s especially popular for Shanghai soup dumplings, as the fruity and tangy flavors of Chinkiang vinegar cut through the richness of red meat. Typically, it’s served in a ramekin with thin strips of ginger.

Additional Tips

• Use fresh ginger as it adds a more aromatic quality to the sauce.
• If you enjoy a bit of spice, try adding a splash of chili oil or a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Spicy Sauce for Soup Dumplings:
For a Bold Twist

Ingredients

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 green scallion, chopped
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp Chinkiang vinegar
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp chili oil

Instructions

1. Whisk the garlic, soy sauce, Chinkiang vinegar, sesame oil, and chili oil in a small bowl. 
2. Garnish it with the chopped green scallion for some crunch and added flavor. 
3. It’s now ready to serve. This is the best sauce for soup dumplings if you like it hot and fiery. 

Additional Tips

• You can stir in one teaspoon of white granulated or brown sugar to balance the flavors in the best sauce for soup dumplings if needed. 
• Chinkiang vinegar can also be substituted with rice vinegar, white vinegar, or apple cider vinegar. 
• If you can’t tolerate spice, omit the chili oil from the recipe. 
• The dipping sauce can be stored for up to 3 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator. 
• For some extra heat, add sliced chili peppers or United Dumplings’ Chilli Crisp. 

Sweet and Sour Sauce:
For a Zesty Kick

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 1/3 cup white or brown sugar
• 1.5 tbsp corn flour

• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 
2 tbsp ketchup



Instructions

1. Combine the corn flour and water (you can add more if needed) in a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Whisk until smooth. 
2. Add the ketchup, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar. 
3. Keep stirring the sauce to prevent it from getting lumpy. 
Bring the mixture to a boil for 3-4 minutes, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the sauce has thickened.
4. Let it cool to room temperature before serving with freshly cooked soup dumplings.  

Additional Tips

• If there are some lumps in the sauce, pour it through a fine mesh strainer to make it smooth. 
• If the sauce is too thin, add one teaspoon of corn flour with a small amount of water to the simmering sauce and let it cook until it has the right consistency.  
• You can use white vinegar instead of rice vinegar. 
• You can also use honey or maple syrup if you prefer a natural sweetener in the best sauce for soup dumplings. Just note that the flavor profile would be slightly different. 

Read More: Our Fun Supermarket Soup Dumpling Demos!

Delicious Condiments at United Dumplings

The best sauce for soup dumplings, however, is the one that you don’t have to make yourself. Check out United Dumplings’ condiments, like the best-selling Homemade Hot Sauce, for a punch of flavor. You can also use this sauce with many other dishes, such as our Frozen Sichuan Wontons in Red Oil and Frozen Grandma’s Pork Dumplings.