Szechuan or Schezwan Sauce is a hot and spicy Chinese Condiment or dip. The authentic sauce is made with chili, Sichuan pepper, sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar. The Szechuan pepper used in the sauce is a special ingredient that gives a unique citrusy flavor to the sauce. The recipe I have shared here shows you how to make Schezwan Sauce from scratch with easy step-by-step instructions with video. This sauce is used in many Indo-Chinese stir-fries, noodles, fried rice, or as a dipping sauce for starters.
Jump to:
What is Szechuan or Schezwan Sauce?
Szechuan Sauce is a popular Chinese condiment made with red chilies, Sichuan pepper, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar. The Sichuan pepper used here gives the authentic citrus flavor to the sauce. It is generally used in Sichuan Cuisine also known as Szechuan Cuisine and so as the name.
This Schezwan Sauce is usually used in stirfries, fried rice, noodles, and as a marinade for meat or tofu. Due to its unique flavor, this sauce was widespread across the world and mainly in fusion Indo-Chinese cuisine.
Here in this post, I have shared both authentic Schezwan Sauce recipe Indo-Chinese version and Szechuan Sauce that you get in the most popular eateries like Mcdonald's.
Ingredients
- Red Chilies- I have used sanam chilies here which has good spice level. you can also remove the seeds before soaking them to reduce the heat
- Sesame Oil - This oil gives the authentic earthy and rustic flavor to the sauce
- Sichuan Pepper - This is the main ingredient that gives that bold flavor to the sauce. However if it is not handy you can skip and the sauce still tastes good. But you will really miss that zingy flavor in the sauce
- Onion, Ginger and Garlic - It gives a nice aroma, and strong flavor to the dip or sauce
- Dark Soy Sauce - I have used dark soy sauce here you can also use vegan or vegetarian friendly sauces as well
- Rice Vinegar - You can also use apple cider vineagar which gives the similar taste
- Sugar and Salt - These ingredients pop the real flavors from all other ingredients
Method 1: Schezwan Sauce from scratch
- Soak the Chilies in hot water for about 2 hours until they turn soft
- Drain and Grind - Remove the soaked chilies from the water and add them into the blender. Grind them into a nice smooth paste and keep it aside
- Saute - Now in a pan with medium heat, pour sesame oil and add ginger and garlic. Saute them until it turns aromatic. Make sure not to burn them which renders a bitter taste to your dish. Following that, add onions, Sichuan peppers, and saute until the onion turns soft. Now add the chili paste and give a quick stir.
- Cook - Close and cook the chili paste with water for 5 to 7 minutes
- Season - After the time mentioned above, mix in vinegar, salt, sugar, pepper powder and mix well.
- Simmer Heat - Cook the sauce until it leaves oil from its sides in low heat.
Finally, remove the sauce and use it right away in your recipes or cool down and store in the refrigerator. It stays good in an airtight container for several days.
Method 2: Szechuan Sauce (simplified)
This Szechuan Sauce is a super simple recipe that will take only five minutes. And it is the sauce you get in most famous eateries like Mcdonald's as a dipping sauce. And it is a keeper when you really don't have time to make the sauce from scratch.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Szechuan Peppercorns
- 3 tablespoons sugar (brown sugar or honey)
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 teaspoon fresh garlic , finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon garlic chili paste (or sambal oelek)
- ½ teaspoon Chinese Five Spice( blend of fennel seeds, star anise, sichuan pepper, cinnamon, cloves)
Process
- Roast Szechuan Peppers in medium heat for about 2 minutes and crush them into a coarse powder
- Combine - Now mix all other ingredients mentioned above along with the crushed Szechuan peppercorns
That's it! Isn't it pretty simple? Yes, you can use this straight away as a dipping sauce for your favorite snacks.
You can also use this sauce in stir-fries and if you would like to have a thick sauce then feel free to add cornstarch while making the dish.
Tips
- Sesame oil is used for seasoning this Sauce which gives the authentic flavor and taste to the dish and make sure not to skipping it
- I have used red chilies with seeds while soaking but feel free to remove the seeds to tone down the heat
- The Sichuan Peppers used in this recipe gives the earthy and citrus-like flavor to the sauce but you can skip if it is not really handy
- I have used sugar and rice vinegar to achieve the unique flavor and taste but you can also use honey and apple cider vinegar for similar results
- Even though I have shared Schezwan Sauce making from scratch in the recipe card I have also shared Szechuan Sauce that you get as a dipping sauce in eateries like Mcdonald's in the post
- This Schezwan Sauce can be used in stir-fries, fried rice, or other recipes to achieve a balanced hot, spicy and pungent flavor to the dish
Storage Suggestions
Both the sauce recipe shared here stay in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Make sure to store them in an airtight container for best results.
Serving Suggestions
You can use this sauce in stir-fries, noodles, fried rice, and as a dipping sauce for your Snacks.
More Szechuan Recipes
You can find recipes using Schezwan Sauce below and more at Indo-Chinese Recipes
Similar Recipes
You could also find similar recipes below and more at sauce recipes.
- Kung Pao Sauce
- Orange Sauce
- General Tso Sauce
- Buffalo Wings Sauce
- Garlic Butter Sauce
- Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- Samosa Dipping Sauce
- Tamarind Sauce
- Pasta Sauce
More Dips & Condiments
Szechuan Sauce Recipe video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Schezwan or Szechuan Sauce below that I hope will help you to make an authentic sauce at home. For a quick reference, you could also find this recipe in story format.
📖 Recipe
Szechuan Sauce (Schezwan Sauce)
Ingredients
- 28 Dry Red Chili, soaked in hot water
- ¼ cup Onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp Ginger, chopped
- 1 tsp Garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp Szechuan Pepper
- 1 tbsp Vinegar
- ¼ tsp Pepper Powder
- 2 tsp Sugar
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
- ¼ cup Sesame Oil
Instructions
To prepare Szechuan (Schezwan) Sauce
- In a bowl, soak the dry red chilies in hot water for 2 hours
- Now drain the water and add the soaked red chilies into a blender. Blend the red chilies to a fine smooth paste( if required add ¼ cup of water while grinding and feel free to remove the seeds of the chilies if you think they are too spicy). Remove the paste and reserve for later use
- Now in a pan with medium heat, pour oil and add minced garlic, ginger and saute until it turns aromatic
- Add Schezwan peppers, onion and saute until they turn soft
- Pour the chili paste and saute for 2 to 3 minutes
- Now pour water and give it a good mix
- Close the pan with the lid and cook the chili sauce for 5 to 7 minutes
- Open the lid and add sugar, salt, rice vinegar, dark soy sauce, and mix well
- Cook the sauce until it leaves oil from its side in low heat. Now the Schezwan Sauce is ready for you to use in your recipes
To Serve
- Use this Szechuan or Schezwan sauce in your stir-fries, fried rice, or as a dipping sauce
Video
Notes
- Sesame oil is used for seasoning this Sauce which gives the authentic flavor and taste to the dish and make sure not to skip it
- I have used red chilies with seeds while soaking but feel free to remove the seeds to tone down the heat
- The Sichuan Peppers used in this recipe gives the earthy and citrus-like flavor to the sauce but you can skip it if it is not really handy
- I have used sugar and rice vinegar to achieve the unique flavor and taste but you can also use honey and apple cider vinegar for similar results
- Even though I have shared Schezwan Sauce making from scratch in the recipe card I have also shared Szechuan Sauce that you get as a dipping sauce in eateries like Mcdonald's in the post
- This Schezwan Sauce can be used in stir-fries, fried rice, or other recipes to achieve a balanced hot, spicy and pungent flavor to the dish
Nutrition
FAQ
Szechuan Sauce is also called Schezwan Sauce is a hot, spicy, and citrus-flavored Chinese condiment. It is typically made using Sichuan peppers, sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar. This sauce is used in most stir-fries, noodles, or as a dipping sauce for snacks. Although it is a famous Chinese sauce it is used in fusion foods in Indo-Chinese Cuisine.
The real flavor and taste of the sauce come from the Sichuan peppers but it can also be replaced with regular peppercorns if they are not really handy.
The Schezwan Sauce recipe shared here is a homemade version that does not contain MSGor Ajinomoto but you may find the same in-store brought sauces. So always check for the ingredient label to avoid using it.
I really hope you enjoyed the recipe that I have shared here and I would love to hear from you on 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!
Leave a Review