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10 Easy Hotpot Dipping Sauces

Hotpot is a popular dish all around the world.

Whether it’s a hot summer day or cold winter night, hotpot hits the spot!

But what really makes hotpot special is its dipping sauces.

With so many different flavors to choose from, you can customize your meal with each bite.

If you’re looking for some easy and tasty hotpot dipping sauces, then you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I will be sharing 10 of my favorite simple and delicious hotpot dipping sauces that are sure to please any palate.

Read on for more details!

Hotpot Dipping Sauce

10 Easy Hotpot Dipping Sauces

Hotpot is a delicious and versatile dish.

But to really enhance the flavor, you need a good dipping sauce.

Here are ten easy hotpot dipping sauces that will add some extra flavor and spice to your meal:

1. Homemade Mexican Hot Sauce

  • What Does It Taste Like? Homemade Mexican hot sauce is a spicy, flavorful condiment that can be used to add heat and flavor to any dish. It has a bright, acidic taste with notes of garlic and onion, as well as the smoky flavor of dried chiles.
  • Common Uses: This hot sauce can be used in many dishes such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, nachos and more. It’s also great for adding heat to soups or stews.
  • Ingredients: To make this homemade Mexican hot sauce you will need dried ancho chiles (or other dried chiles), garlic cloves, white vinegar, olive oil and salt.
  • How To Make It: Begin by soaking the dried chiles in warm water for about 30 minutes until they are soft. Then remove the stems and seeds from the softened chiles before blending them with garlic cloves in a food processor or blender until smooth. Next add the white vinegar and olive oil to the mixture before seasoning it with salt to taste. Finally transfer your homemade Mexican hot sauce into an airtight container where it can keep for up to two weeks when stored in the refrigerator.

2. Honey Garlic Sauce

  • What Does It Taste Like? Honey garlic sauce is a sweet and savory condiment that combines the flavors of honey, garlic, and soy sauce. The combination of these ingredients creates a rich, flavorful sauce that can be used to enhance the flavor of many dishes.
  • Common Uses: Honey garlic sauce is commonly used as a dipping sauce for hotpot dishes such as dumplings or spring rolls. It can also be used as a marinade for meats or vegetables before grilling or roasting. Additionally, it makes an excellent glaze for roasted chicken or pork chops.
  • Ingredients: To make honey garlic sauce you will need honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar (or white vinegar), sesame oil (optional), and cornstarch (optional).
  • How To Make It: Begin by combining all the ingredients in a small bowl and whisking until smooth. Heat the mixture over medium heat in a small pot until it begins to bubble and thicken slightly. Remove from heat and let cool before serving with your favorite hotpot dish!

3. Shacha Sauce

  • What Does It Taste Like? Shacha sauce is a savory and slightly spicy condiment that has a complex flavor profile. It is made from garlic, shallots, chilies, and dried shrimp which give it an umami-rich taste with hints of sweetness. The texture is thick and oily, making it perfect for dipping or as a marinade.
  • Common Uses: Shacha sauce can be used in many different ways. It can be served as a dipping sauce for hotpot dishes such as beef or chicken skewers, dumplings, or vegetables. It can also be used to marinate meats before grilling or stir-frying them. Additionally, shacha sauce can be added to soups and stews to add depth of flavor.
  • Ingredients: The main ingredients in shacha sauce are garlic, shallots, chilies, dried shrimp paste (hae ko), sugar, soybean oil (or other vegetable oil), sesame oil (optional), oyster sauce (optional).
  • How To Make It: To make shacha sauce at home you will need the following ingredients: 2 cloves of garlic minced; 1 tablespoon of minced shallot; 1 teaspoon of chili flakes; 2 tablespoons of hae ko; 2 tablespoons of sugar; 4 tablespoons of soybean oil; 1 tablespoon sesame oil (optional); 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional). In a small bowl mix together all the ingredients until well combined then transfer into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to one month. When ready to use simply spoon out desired amount into your dish!

4. Asian Plum Sauce

  • What Does It Taste Like? Asian plum sauce is a sweet and tangy condiment made from plums, vinegar, sugar, and spices. The combination of the tartness of the plums with the sweetness of the sugar creates a unique flavor that pairs well with many dishes.
  • Common Uses: Asian plum sauce is commonly used as a dipping sauce for hotpot dishes such as shabu-shabu or sukiyaki. It can also be used as an accompaniment to grilled meats or vegetables, or even as a marinade for chicken or pork.
  • Ingredients: To make Asian plum sauce you will need fresh plums (or canned if necessary), white vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, ground ginger, and salt.
  • How To Make It: Start by combining all ingredients in a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened (about 20 minutes). Once cooled slightly transfer to blender and blend until smooth. Serve warm or cold with your favorite hotpot dish!

5. Gochujang Sauce (Korean Chili Paste)

  • What Does It Taste Like? Gochujang sauce is a spicy, sweet, and savory condiment made from Korean chili paste. It has a deep red color and a thick texture that coats the food it’s added to. The flavor of gochujang sauce is complex, with notes of sweetness, spiciness, and umami.
  • Common Uses: Gochujang sauce can be used as a dipping sauce for hotpot dishes such as kimchi jjigae or bibimbap. It can also be used as an ingredient in marinades for meats or vegetables, or as an addition to soups and stews.
  • Ingredients: Gochujang sauce typically contains Korean chili paste (gochugaru), fermented soybean paste (doenjang), rice syrup (ssalyeot), garlic, ginger, sesame oil, sugar, and salt.
  • How To Make It: Making your own gochujang sauce at home is easy! Simply combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix until combined. You can adjust the amount of each ingredient to suit your taste preferences – add more chili paste for extra heat or more sugar for sweetness. Once you’ve mixed everything together well, transfer the mixture into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until ready to use!

6. Miso Peanut Sauce

  • What Does It Taste Like? Miso peanut sauce is a savory and slightly sweet dipping sauce that combines the nutty flavor of peanuts with the umami-richness of miso. The combination creates a creamy, flavorful sauce that pairs well with many different types of dishes.
  • Common Uses: Miso peanut sauce is commonly used as a dipping sauce for hotpot, but it can also be used to dress salads or noodles, as an accompaniment to grilled meats or vegetables, or even as a spread on sandwiches.
  • Ingredients: To make miso peanut sauce you will need white miso paste, smooth peanut butter, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder and honey (optional).
  • How To Make It: Start by combining all ingredients in a bowl and whisking until smooth. If desired add more honey for sweetness. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

7. Hot Mustard Sauce

  • What Does It Taste Like? Hot mustard sauce is a spicy condiment made from Chinese hot mustard powder and other ingredients. The flavor of the sauce is pungent, with a strong kick of heat that lingers on the tongue.
  • Common Uses: Hot mustard sauce is commonly used as a dipping sauce for dumplings, egg rolls, and other fried foods. It can also be used to add flavor to stir-fries or as an ingredient in marinades and dressings.
  • Ingredients: To make hot mustard sauce, you will need Chinese hot mustard powder (or regular dry mustard), water, sugar, salt, white vinegar, sesame oil, and garlic powder.
  • How To Make It: Begin by combining the dry ingredients in a bowl until they are well blended. Slowly add water while stirring until you have reached your desired consistency (it should be thick but pourable). Then add the remaining ingredients and mix until everything is combined. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

8. Szechuan Sauce

  • What Does It Taste Like? Szechuan sauce is a spicy, savory condiment that has a complex flavor profile. It is made with chili peppers, garlic, and ginger for heat; soy sauce and vinegar for saltiness; sugar for sweetness; and sesame oil for nuttiness. The result is an umami-rich sauce that packs a punch of flavor.
  • Common Uses: Szechuan sauce can be used as a dipping sauce or marinade for meats, vegetables, noodles, and dumplings. It can also be used to add flavor to stir-fries or soups.
  • Ingredients: To make Szechuan sauce you will need chili peppers (dried or fresh), garlic cloves, ginger root, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar (white or brown), sesame oil (optional), and water.
  • How To Make It: Start by combining the chili peppers with the garlic cloves in a food processor until they are finely chopped. Then add the ginger root and process until it is fully incorporated into the mixture. Next add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar and sesame oil if using it. Process until everything is combined then slowly pour in water while processing until you reach your desired consistency. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator up to one month before use!

9. Hoisin Sauce

  • What Does It Taste Like? Hoisin sauce is a thick, dark-brown condiment with a sweet and salty flavor. It has notes of garlic, soy sauce, and Chinese five-spice powder. The sweetness comes from the addition of sugar or honey to the mixture.
  • Common Uses: Hoisin sauce is commonly used as a dipping sauce for dumplings, spring rolls, and other dim sum dishes. It can also be used as an ingredient in marinades for meat or vegetables before grilling or roasting. Additionally, it can be added to stir-fries for extra flavor and depth of taste.
  • Ingredients: The main ingredients in hoisin sauce are fermented soybean paste (doubanjiang), garlic, sugar or honey, vinegar, sesame oil, chili peppers (optional), and Chinese five-spice powder (optional).
  • How To Make It: Making your own hoisin sauce at home is easy! Simply combine all the ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth. You may need to adjust the amount of each ingredient depending on your desired level of sweetness or spiciness. Once you have achieved the desired consistency and flavor profile, transfer it into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

10. Japanese Ginger Sauce

  • What Does It Taste Like? Japanese ginger sauce is a savory and slightly sweet condiment that has a strong flavor of fresh ginger. The combination of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar gives it a salty-sweet taste with a hint of umami.
  • Common Uses: This dipping sauce is commonly used in hotpot dishes such as shabu-shabu or sukiyaki. It can also be used as an accompaniment to grilled meats, fish, and vegetables.
  • Ingredients: The main ingredients for this sauce are fresh ginger, soy sauce, mirin (a sweet rice wine), sake (rice wine), sugar, and sesame oil. You can also add other seasonings such as garlic or chili pepper to give the sauce more depth of flavor.
  • How To Make It: Start by grating the fresh ginger into a paste using either a fine grater or food processor. In a small bowl combine the grated ginger with the soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar and sesame oil until all ingredients are well blended together. Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning if necessary before serving with your favorite hotpot dish!

Conclusion

In conclusion, hotpot dipping sauces can be a great way to add flavor and complexity to your hotpot.

The best hotpot dipping sauces are homemade Mexican hot sauce, honey garlic sauce, shacha sauce, Asian plum sauce, gochujang sauce (Korean chili paste), miso peanut sauce, hot mustard sauce, Szechuan sauce, hoisin sauce, and Japanese ginger sauce.

Each of these sauces has its own unique flavor and can be used to enhance the flavor of your hotpot.

With so many options, you can create an endless array of flavorful combinations to please even the pickiest of eaters.

Hotpot Dipping Sauces

10 Easy Hotpot Dipping Sauces

Hotpot is one of my favorite dishes, and I'm always looking for ways to make it even better. That's why I'm sharing my top 10 easy hotpot dipping sauces.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dipping Sauce, Sauce
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4 people
Calories 455 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Homemade Mexican Hot Sauce
  • Honey Garlic Sauce
  • Shacha Sauce
  • Asian Plum Sauce
  • Gochujang Sauce (Korean Chili Paste)
  • Miso Peanut Sauce
  • Hot Mustard Sauce
  • Szechuan Sauce
  • Hoisin Sauce
  • Japanese Ginger Sauce

Instructions
 

  • Select your favorite sauce from this article.
  • Organize and prepare all of the required ingredients.
  • Prep a dipping sauce in 20 minutes or less.
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Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.