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A white bowl filled with rich, red chili sauce, featuring visible chili flakes, placed on a light-colored table next to a golden spoon.

Red Dragon Sauce Recipe for Drizzling, Dipping, and Glazing

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This red dragon sauce is sweet, spicy, and glossy with a bold garlic and ginger base. It comes together quickly on the stovetop and thickens into a spoonable sauce that works as a glaze or dip. The flavor has a sweet heat that is easy to adjust the heat to your taste. It’s a copycat homemade sauce recipe that goes great on rice, noodles, meat, and vegetables.
Course Appetizer, Dinner
Cuisine Asian, Chinese, Thai
Diet Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 9 minutes
Servings 1 cup
Calories 529
Author Gina Dickson

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 4 tablespoons water divided
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger peeled and minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Instructions

Make the Cornstarch Slurry

  • In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with part of the water until smooth. Set aside.
    1 tablespoon cornstarch
    A bowl of white liquid with a rustic brown wooden spoon resting inside, set against a plain white background.

Cook the Aromatics

  • Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
    2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    A saucepan with melted butter and minced garlic is being stirred by a wooden spoon, sitting on a white surface.
  • Add the ginger and garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
    2 teaspoons fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon fresh garlic

Build the Sauce

  • Stir in the cornstarch slurry.
  • Add the remaining water, chili flakes, white vinegar, honey, soy sauce, and tomato paste.
    4 tablespoons water, 1 teaspoon chili flakes, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • Stir until fully combined.
    A saucepan filled with rich, red barbecue sauce. A wooden spoon is resting inside, indicating the sauce has been freshly stirred. The sauce has a smooth texture and is placed on a white background.

Simmer

  • Bring the sauce to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened to your desired consistency.

Finish

  • Use immediately or allow the sauce to cool before storing.

Notes

Storage and Reheating
  • Let the sauce cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
  • Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring until smooth. If it thickens too much after chilling, add a small splash of water while reheating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 529kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 2304mg | Potassium: 502mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 56g | Vitamin A: 1081IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 3mg
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