Black Bean Sauce(For Stuffed Zucchini)
A savory black bean sauce with garlic, ginger, and green onions, perfect for stuffed zucchini or other vegetables, offering rich umami flavors with a hint of sweetness.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat garlic and ginger in peanut oil until aromatic, approximately 1 to 2 minutes.
- Remove garlic and ginger from the pan.
- Add rinsed black beans and stir for 1 minute.
- Add oyster sauce, shoyu sauce, sugar, and chicken broth to the pan.
- Season with salt and aji to taste.
- Mix cornstarch with a little broth and water to create a slurry and add to the sauce to thicken.
- Add chopped green onions to the sauce.
- Pour the black bean sauce over stuffed zucchini and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a more intense flavor, consider soaking the fermented black beans in warm water for 10-15 minutes before using them. If you don't have shoyu sauce, soy sauce is a suitable substitute. You can also add a pinch of chili flakes for extra heat. To enhance the dish, serve it with Stir-Fried Broccoli Slices for a colorful and nutritious meal.
Serving Suggestions
This black bean sauce is perfect over stuffed zucchini but also pairs well with steamed rice or noodles. For a complete meal, serve it alongside Stir-Fried Shrimp And Vegetables or a fresh salad. Garnish with additional chopped green onions for a pop of color and flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover black bean sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, do so gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to maintain the desired consistency. Avoid microwaving as it can alter the texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Black Bean Sauce(For Stuffed Zucchini) contains roughly 207 calories, with 11g protein, 36g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (31% of the Daily Value) and protein (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 696mg per serving (30% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the black bean sauce a day in advance. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator, and simply reheat it on the stovetop before serving.
What if I can't find fermented black beans?
If fermented black beans are unavailable, you can use black bean paste as an alternative, but adjust the quantity to taste since it's more concentrated. Alternatively, use a mix of mashed black beans and a touch of soy sauce for a similar flavor profile.
Is this black bean sauce suitable for vegetarian diets?
Yes, the black bean sauce can be made vegetarian by substituting the oyster sauce with a vegetarian oyster sauce or mushroom sauce. This maintains the umami flavor while keeping the dish plant-based.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).