Black Bean Garlic Sauce Recipe: The Black Garlic Edition
This riff on classic Chinese-style black bean garlic sauce uses a mix of fresh garlic for bite and I Love Black Garlic Purée for mellow sweetness and deep umami. It is quick to make, coats stir-fries beautifully, and doubles as a marinade or dumpling dip.
Yield about 1 cup • Time 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp neutral oil
- 2 tbsp finely chopped shallot
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
- 1 tbsp finely chopped ginger
- 2 tbsp fermented black beans (douchi), rinsed and lightly mashed
- 2 tbsp I Love Black Garlic Purée
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice wine or mirin
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water or low sodium stock
- Optional heat: 1/2 tsp chili flakes or 1 tsp chili oil
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics Heat oil in a small skillet over medium. Add shallot, fresh garlic, and ginger. Cook 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant, not browned.
- Toast the beans Stir in the mashed fermented black beans. Cook 30 seconds to bloom flavor.
- Add black garlic Mix in the black garlic purée until glossy and combined.
- Build and simmer Add soy sauce, rice wine, brown sugar, water, and optional chili. Simmer 4 to 5 minutes until thick enough to coat a spoon.
- Taste and adjust Add a splash of water for thinner sauce or a pinch of sugar for balance. Use right away or cool for storage.
How to Use It
- Stir-fries Toss with chicken, beef, tofu, or eggplant with a handful of scallions.
- Noodles and fried rice Stir a spoonful through hot noodles or day-old rice off heat.
- Marinade Brush over shrimp or salmon before broiling or grilling.
- Dipping sauce Thin with a little water and rice vinegar for dumplings or steamed greens.
Tips and Variations
- Salt check Fermented black beans and soy are salty. Taste before adding extra salt.
- Extra savory Whisk in 1 tsp oyster sauce or 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil at the end.
- Smoother texture Blend briefly with an immersion blender for a silky sauce.
- Storage Refrigerate in a clean jar up to 1 week. Warm gently before using.
Serve With
Try it in a quick stir-fry over Black Garlic Ramen noodles, swirl into Black Garlic Aioli for a bold dip, or pair with a drizzle of Black Garlic Oil for extra shine.
Make It With The Best Black Garlic
For consistent flavor and quick blending, use I Love Black Garlic Purée, 7 oz. It melts evenly into sauces, marinades, and dips.
