Enjoy my homemade Orange Sauce, a delicious mix of sweet and tangy flavors. Made with fresh orange juice and peel, plus ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and your choice of vegetable or chicken broth, it adds a unique twist to any dish. This sauce isn't just for Orange Chicken. It's perfect for giving a sweet and tangy lift to vegetables, shrimp, salmon, tofu, and more.
What You’ll Find On This Page
Whether you're making a stir-fry or looking for a delicious dipping sauce, this Orange Sauce is a must-try. It’s sure to elevate your meals with its vibrant flavors!
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Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
To make this Orange Sauce, you'll need some common Asian pantry staples. You can find these ingredients in the Asian section of most grocery stores. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Soy Sauces: Use a mix of dark soy sauce for depth and all-purpose soy sauce for balance. Add chili sauce if you prefer a spicy kick.
- Sesame Oil: Adds a rich, earthy flavor that’s essential in Chinese cuisine.
- Aromatics: A generous amount of ginger and garlic provides a robust aroma and enhances the overall flavor.
- Orange Zest: Infuses the sauce with a bright, citrusy note for a refreshing tropical twist.
- Brown Sugar: It smooths out the flavors, balancing the sweet, sour, and spicy notes perfectly.
- Cornstarch Slurry: This helps thicken the sauce to achieve a silky, clingy consistency.
- Vegetable Broth: Choose between vegetable or chicken broth to deepen the flavor base of your sauce.
- Orange Juice: Opt for fresh, 100% orange juice to infuse the sauce with a vibrant and refreshing flavor.
- Vinegar: Rice vinegar is ideal for its mild tang and light acidity, but if it's not available, you can substitute it with regular white vinegar.
- Additional Flavorings: To deepen the flavor profile, add chili flakes for heat, black pepper powder for a subtle spice kick, and a pinch of salt to round out all the tastes.
How to Make Orange Sauce at Home?
Let's get started on making this homemade Orange Sauce, a versatile and flavor-packed condiment that's sure to enhance any dish. I've shared simple steps, complete with photos and a video guide, to help you effortlessly create this zesty sauce. Here’s how to do it:
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- Cranberry Sauce
Orange Sauce
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- 1½ cup Orange Juice
- 2 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce, optional
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 cup Vegetable Broth, or chicken broth
- 1 tsp Rice Vinegar
- 2 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 2 tbsp Chili Sauce
- ½ tsp Pepper Powder, black or white pepper
- 2 tbsp Orange Zest, chopped
- 2 tsp Ginger, chopped
- 2 tbsp Garlic, chopped
- 2 tbsp Sesame Oil
- ½ tsp Chili Flakes
- Salt, to taste
For Cornstarch Slurry
- 2 tsp Cornstarch
- 4 tbsp Water
Instructions
Making Orange Sauce
- Begin by heating sesame oil in a pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the ginger and garlic, sautéing until they release their rich aromas.
- Add the chopped orange peels next, continuing to sauté until they become fragrant, which enhances the citrus flavor of the sauce.
- Stir in the chili flakes, chili sauce, both dark and all-purpose soy sauces, and black pepper powder, ensuring all ingredients are well combined for a uniform flavor.
- Pour in the brown sugar, orange juice, rice vinegar, and your choice of broth (vegetable or chicken). Add a pinch of salt, then mix everything thoroughly to dissolve the sugar and blend the flavors.
- Allow the sauce to come to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Finally, whisk in the cornstarch slurry (a specified amount of cornstarch diluted in water) and continue to cook over low heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and takes on a glossy appearance. Ensure it's thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Enjoy your vibrant and tasty Orange Sauce!
Serving
- Enjoy this versatile Orange Sauce, ideal for creating mouth-watering Orange Chicken or duck dishes. It also serves as an excellent dipping sauce for your favorite chicken recipes, adding a flavorful touch to each bite.
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Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Enhancing the Orange Flavor: To really bring out the citrusy tang, use both fresh orange peels or dried orange powder and orange juice. This mix intensifies the orange flavor in your sauce.
- Using Broth for Depth: Choose vegetable or chicken broth over water to deepen the sauce's flavor, giving it a richer, restaurant-quality taste.
- Achieving the Ideal Color: Normally, dark soy sauce gives the sauce a light brown-orange color. For a brighter orange, consider leaving out the dark soy sauce and adding a pinch of ground turmeric, which will give the sauce a vivid orange hue.
- Balancing the Saltiness: The soy sauces and broth add enough saltiness, so be careful with additional salt. Always taste your sauce as you cook to make sure the seasoning is just right.
- Adjust Sweetness and Heat: Customize the balance of sweetness and heat to your liking. Add honey or more brown sugar if you like it sweeter; increase the chili flakes or add a splash of hot sauce for more spice.
- Thicken for Different Uses: If you need a thicker consistency for glazing, simmer the sauce with a bit more cornstarch slurry. For a thinner sauce, suitable for salads or marinades, reduce the amount of thickener.
- Serve Chilled or Warm: Depending on your dish, consider serving the sauce chilled or gently warmed. Chilled sauce is refreshing and perfect for salads, while warm sauce can be comforting and ideal for hot dishes.
- Use as a Marinade: Besides being a great topping or dip, this sauce can also serve as a flavorful marinade for meats, seafood, or tofu. Let your protein absorb the flavors for a few hours or overnight to enhance its taste significantly.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
Looking for variety? Explore the rich flavors of Asian cuisine with our curated selection of stir-fry sauces, perfect for everything from quick stir-fries to comforting dishes.
Serving Suggestions
This Orange Sauce is ideal for transforming fried chicken into classic Orange Chicken, serving as a party dip, or adding a flavorful twist to dishes. For a vegetarian option, try it with fried cauliflower for a creative take on Orange Chicken.
Storage Suggestions
Keep your Orange Sauce fresh by storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay good for up to a week. To help it last longer, always use a clean spoon when serving. This will ensure your sauce remains flavorful and ready to enhance your dishes whenever you need it.
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