I whip up a bold and fiery Dragon Sauce that strikes the perfect balance between sweet, spicy, and tangy. It’s versatile, pantry-friendly, and elevates everything from grilled meats to noodle bowls.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this sauce because it’s incredibly versatile—I drizzle it on tacos, stir-fry, grilled veggies, or use it as a dipping sauce. It comes together in just about 10 minutes using simple ingredients I almost always have on hand. Plus, I can easily adjust the heat, sweetness, and tang to match whatever mood I’m in.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp sriracha (or more if I want extra heat)
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
directions
- Combine the base ingredients. In a small saucepan, I mix together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and sriracha.
- Simmer. I warm the mixture over medium heat until it gently simmers, stirring occasionally for about 3–5 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Thicken with slurry. I whisk cornstarch and water in a separate bowl, then slowly add it to the simmering sauce, stirring constantly until it coats the back of a spoon.
- Taste and adjust. If I want it spicier, I add more sriracha; sweeter—more honey; tangier—a touch more vinegar.
- Cool and serve. I remove it from heat, let it cool, and it’s ready to drizzle or dip.
Servings and timing
- Yield: About ½ cup sauce (roughly 8 tablespoons)
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 10 minutes
- Servings: Makes about 4 servings of 2 tablespoons each
Variations
- Vegan option: Replace honey with maple syrup or agave.
- Gluten‑free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Extra thick: Double the cornstarch (2 tsp + 4 tbsp water) for a more glaze-like texture.
- Rich & creamy: Stir in a little mayo or Greek yogurt for a dip-style sauce.
- Smoky twist: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or chipotle chili.
storage/reheating
I store leftover sauce in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 1 week. To reheat, I gently warm it on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, or zap it in the microwave in short bursts.
FAQs
### Can I make the sauce milder?
Yes—I reduce the sriracha and chili paste and sometimes add an extra splash of honey to balance the heat.
### Is it gluten-free?
It can be if I use tamari instead of regular soy sauce. Always check labels just in case.
### How do I thicken it more?
After simmering, I whisk in a cornstarch slurry. If it’s still too thin, I simmer it a minute longer until it thickens.
### Can I freeze Dragon Sauce?
Yes—I freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Once thawed, it returns to its original consistency.
### What dishes go well with it?
I love using it as a dipping sauce, drizzle over grilled meats, stir into rice or noodles, brush on roasted veggies, or even fold into tacos and wraps.
Conclusion
Dragon Sauce is my go-to fiery condiment—easy, tasty, and endlessly adaptable. Whether I’m spicing up a weeknight dinner or prepping snacks for guests, this sauce brings the heat, the sweet, and the zing every time. Give it a try—I think you’ll wonder how you ever ate without it!
Print
Dragon Sauce
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: ½ cup (about 4 servings)
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Dragon Sauce is a bold and fiery condiment that balances sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. It’s quick to make and highly versatile—perfect for grilled meats, noodle bowls, tacos, and more.
Ingredients
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp sriracha (or more to taste)
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and sriracha.
- Warm over medium heat and simmer for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water to make a slurry.
- Slowly add the slurry to the simmering sauce, stirring constantly until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Taste and adjust the flavor as needed—add more sriracha for heat, honey for sweetness, or vinegar for tang.
- Remove from heat, let cool, and use as desired.
Notes
- Use tamari for a gluten-free version.
- Replace honey with maple syrup or agave for a vegan option.
- Double the cornstarch for a thicker, glaze-like texture.
- Add mayo or Greek yogurt for a creamy variation.
- Smoked paprika or chipotle chili can add a smoky flavor twist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
