Chinese Style Barbecue Sauce

Prep: 5 min Cook: 5 min Cuisine: Chinese

A savory Chinese-style barbecue sauce with soy, ginger, and aromatic spices, perfect for glazing chicken, ribs, or pork for a flavorful Asian-inspired meal.

Be the first to rate this recipe

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup prepared barbecue sauce
  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp peanut oil
  • 1 Tbsp rice-wine vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp finely minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground anise seeds
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients together in a small saucepan.
  2. Simmer gently for 5 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
  4. Serve with chicken, barbecued ribs, or pork loin.

Tips & Substitutions

For a more intense flavor, consider adding a pinch of chili flakes for heat or a splash of orange juice for a citrusy twist. If you don't have peanut oil, you can substitute it with sesame oil for a nutty flavor. Garlic powder can be used if fresh garlic isn’t available, but fresh will give a better taste. This sauce also works well in other Chinese recipes.

Serving Suggestions

This Chinese Style Barbecue Sauce is perfect for drizzling over grilled chicken or pork loin. It also pairs beautifully with sides like Stir-Fried Bok Choy or a refreshing Chinese Veggie Salad. For a complete meal, serve it alongside steamed rice or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce. It can also enhance the flavors of barbecued ribs for a summer cookout.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover barbecue sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it in ice cube trays. To reheat, simply warm it gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Avoid boiling to maintain the flavor integrity.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Chinese Style Barbecue Sauce contains roughly 48 calories, with 1g protein, 2g carbohydrates, and 4g fat. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 540mg per serving (23% of the Daily Value).

48 kcal 2% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 1.1g 2% DV
Total Fat 4.1g 5% DV
Carbs 2g 1% DV
Fiber 0.2g 1% DV
Sugar 0.7g 1% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 540mg 23% DV
Potassium 53.9mg 1% DV
Cholesterol 1.3mg

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 0.6mcg
Vitamin C 0mg
Vitamin D 0mcg
Calcium 3.8mg
Iron 0.2mg 1% DV
Diet fit Keto-friendly Under 400 cal
Contains Soy Peanut

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, this sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just make sure to let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. The flavors will meld and enhance over time, making it even more delicious when used later.

Is this sauce suitable for vegan diets?

Yes, this barbecue sauce is vegan-friendly as it does not contain any animal products. However, always double-check the barbecue sauce you use to ensure it meets vegan standards, as some brands may include non-vegan ingredients.

What dishes can I use this sauce with?

This sauce is versatile and can be used with various dishes. Besides chicken and pork, it works well with grilled tofu or tempeh for a plant-based option. You can also use it as a marinade for skewers or in sandwiches, or even drizzle it over a bowl of rice or noodles.

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).

Chinese recipes → Vegan recipes → Vegetarian recipes → All recipes →