Orange Sauce is a sweet, tangy, and orange flavor-loaded Chinese sauce. It is usually made with ginger, garlic, soy sauce, veg or chicken broth, orange juice, and zest. The recipe I have shared here shows you how to make Orange Sauce with easy step-by-step instructions for you to try and enjoy at home.
I have also shared a detailed video of this recipe below to make the cooking process simple and clear. This Homemade Orange Sauce is one of the best stir fry sauces and also an essential ingredient to make Orange Chicken. And the best part is you can also use this sauce to toss your favorite veggies, and other proteins like shrimp, salmon, and tofu for different variations.
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What is Orange Sauce?
Orange Sauce is a sweet, tangy, and mildly spiced Chinese stir fry sauce. It is usually made with fresh ginger, garlic, orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, and veg or chicken broth. This homemade Orange Sauce is one of the essential ingredients to make Orange Chicken, a popular Chinese dish across the globe.
Even though this sauce is typically used for making orange chicken, you can also use them to stir fry your favorite plant-based proteins or veggies for vegan-friendly dishes. Not only for stir-frying but also as a dipping sauce for your appetizers.
Ingredients
The ingredients you will need to make this Orange Sauce are basic Asian pantry elements and they should be easily available in most grocery stores in the Asian aisle. Let's see what are they below.
- Sauces - Dark Soy Sauce, all-purpose soy sauce, and chili sauce. Chili Sauce I have used here is optional, so feel free to use it if you need some heat to your sauce
- Sesame Oil - Delivers the earthy, rusting, and nutty flavor to your sauce
- Aromatics - Add a generous amount of ginger and garlic for fresh aroma and taste
- Orange Zest - Delivers fresh tropical flavor to your sauce
- Brown Sugar - Helps to balance the sweet, sour, and heat of the sauce
- Cornstarch Slurry - Works as a thickening agent
- Veg Broth - Veg or chicken broth enhances the taste of this sauce
- Orange Juice - Fresh 100% orange fruit juice for vibrant and refreshing orange flavor
- Vinegar - I have used rice vinegar which is less tangy and less acidic in nature. But if rice vinegar is not handy then you can substitute it with regular white vinegar
- Other ingredients - Chili flakes, black pepper powder, and salt
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to make Orange Sauce?
The recipe I have shared here is a simple homemade Orange Sauce, an essential stir fry sauce for making Orange Chicken. The recipe yields 2 cups of sauce and makes up to 2 batches of Orange Chicken. (note: the reference is based on the chicken that is used in my orange chicken recipe).
Following are the high-level instructions to make this recipe but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and video, please check out the recipe card below.
- Saute the Aromatics - In a pan with medium heat, pour sesame oil and add ginger and garlic. Sauce until it turns aromatic
- Stir the Orange Zest - Add the chopped orange peels and saute until it turns aromatic too
- Add in the Sauce - Now add the chili sauce, dark and all-purpose soy sauce, and black pepper powder, and give it a good mix
- Mix the juice - Now add orange juice, veg or chicken broth, and salt, and give it a good mix
- Boil - Allow the mixture to boil for 2 to 3 minutes
- Allow to thicken - Finally, add the cornstarch slurry and give a good mix. Allow the mixture to cook on low heat until it turns thick and glossy. Now the delicious Orange Sauce is ready for you to taste and enjoy
- Serve or Use - Use this Sauce to make Orange Chicken, duck, or as a dipping sauce for your favorite chicken recipes
Tips
- For Best Flavor - Adding a generous amount of ginger and garlic delivers the fresh aroma and best flavor and taste to your sauce. So I would recommend not compromising on it
- Orange Flavor - The citrusy and tangy orange flavor comes not only from the orange juice but also from the peels. You can either use fresh orange peels or dried orange powder
- Broth Instead of Water - Even though you can add water while making this sauce I would suggest adding veg or chicken broth instead. And it helps to achieve a restaurant-quality stir fry sauce
- For Bright Orange Color - This Sauce shared here delivered me a light brown orangish color sauce due to the addition of dark soy sauce. But if you would like to achieve an orange color then I recommend skipping dark soy sauce. And also adding a pinch or two of ground turmeric delivers a bright orangish color to your sauce
- Sesame Oil - Delivers the earthy and rustic flavors to your sauce that is popular in Chinese Cooking
- Look for Salt - Make sure to keep an eye while seasoning the sauce with salt, as the sauces and broth added here always have a good amount of salt added to it
Storage Suggestions
This Orange Sauce stays good in the refrigerator for up to a week in a closed airtight container. Toss your favorite fried chicken in this sauce to make Chinese Orange Chicken or other favorite protein or veggies.
Serving Suggestions
You can make Orange Chicken with this flavorful Sauce, or as a dipping sauce for fried chicken recipes. You can also toss in your fried cauliflower for making a healthy veg version of your orange chicken as well.
Related Recipes
You could also find similar sauce recipes below and more at dips & condiments.
More Chinese recipes.
- Orange Chicken
- Kung Pao Chicken
- General Tso's Chicken
- Honey Garlic Chicken
- Honey Garlic Shrimp
- Vegetable Stir Fry
Orange Sauce Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Orange Sauce Recipe below that I hope will help you make a flavorful Chinese sauce at home. You could also find this recipe in a story format.
📖 Recipe
Orange Sauce
Ingredients
- 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
- 2 tsp Cornstarch, diluted in 4 tbsp water
- ½ tsp Chili Flakes
Instructions
To make Orange Sauce
- In a pan with medium heat, pour sesame oil and add ginger and garlic. Saute until it turns aromatic
- Add the chopped orange peels and saute until it turns aromatic too
- Now add the chili flakes, chili sauce, dark and all-purpose soy sauce, and black pepper powder, and give it a good mix
- Now add brown sugar, orange juice, rice vinegar, veg or chicken broth, and salt, and give it a good mix
- Allow the mixture to boil for 2 to 3 minutes
- Finally, add the cornstarch slurry and give a good mix. Allow the mixture to cook on low heat until it turns thick and glossy. Now the delicious Orange Sauce is ready for you to taste and enjoy
To Serve
- Use this Orange Sauce to make Orange Chicken, duck, or as a dipping sauce for your favorite chicken recipes
Video
Notes
- For Best Flavor - Adding a generous amount of ginger and garlic delivers the fresh aroma and best flavor and taste to your sauce. So I would recommend not compromising on it
- Orange Flavor - The citrusy and tangy orange flavor comes not only from the orange juice but also from the peels. You can either use fresh orange peels or dried orange powder
- Broth Instead of Water - Even though you can add water while making this sauce I would suggest adding veg or chicken broth instead. And it helps to achieve a restaurant-quality stir fry sauce
- For Bright Orange Color - This Orange Sauce shared here delivered me a light brown orangish color sauce due to the addition of dark soy sauce. But if you would like to achieve an orange color then I recommend skipping dark soy sauce. And also adding a pinch or two of ground turmeric delivers a bright orange color to your sauce
- Sesame Oil - Delivers the earthy and rustic flavors to your sauce that is popular in Chinese Cooking
- Look for Salt - Make sure to keep an eye while seasoning the sauce with salt, as the sauces and broth added here always have a good amount of salt added to it
Nutrition
FAQ
It is a sweet, tangy, and mildly spiced Chinese stir fry sauce. It is usually made with fresh ginger, garlic, orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, and veg or chicken broth. This homemade Orange Sauce is one of the essential ingredients to make Orange Chicken, a popular Chinese dish across the globe.
Yes, this sauce is prepared with plant-based ingredients and it is a vegan-friendly sauce.
You can substitute rice vinegar with regular white vinegar, or apple cider vinegar for a similar taste and flavor.
I hope you enjoyed the recipe I shared here and I would love to hear from you about how it turned out for you. Please let me know.
If you have any other questions, feel free to post them in the comment section below and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Happy Cooking!
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