Ginger Scallion Sauce (薑蓉) - Oh My Food Recipes

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Ginger scallion sauce (薑蓉) is a savory oil based sauce. It is a classic and popular Cantonese Chinese condiment for white cut chicken, char siu, roast duck and roast chicken. This homemade Chinese ginger scallion sauce recipe is so versatile that it goes well with most things such as meats, rice, dumplings, and noodles. Let's learn how to make ginger scallion sauce along with your meals with step by step photos and a video.

Looking for sauce recipes? Check out these popular chili garlic sauce, chili oil, teriyaki sauce, sweet & sour sauce, black pepper sauce, XO sauce and sweet and chili sauce recipes.

ginger scallion sauce in a white container with green onion and ginger background

What is ginger scallion sauce (薑蓉)?

Ginger scallion sauce (薑蓉) in Chinese it called gēung yùng or jīang rōng (薑蓉) which means grind ginger. Some people call ginger green onion sauce. It is a versatile condiment commonly used in Asian cuisine, especially in Chinese dishes. It is known for its vibrant and aromatic flavors, often used as a condiment, dipping sauce, or a flavor-enhancing element in various dishes like fried rice and noodles.

It is an oil based sauce made by combining finely chopped scallions, green onions, with grated or minced ginger. Then, add hot oil and seasoning with salt. This results in a flavorful sauce with a fresh and slightly spicy taste.

Often, it serves as a dipping sauce for dumplings, pan fried buns, noodles, roasted meats such as char siu, roast duck and rotisserie chicken. Or, it is used as a topping for white cut chicken.

What do you eat ginger scallion sauce with?

The sauce is so versatile that it goes well with most things such as meats, rice and noodles. Besides, ginger scallion sauce is a popular and great combination, so many Asian dishes use it to serve as a dipping sauce. For example, a well known Cantonese dish white cut chicken always served with ginger scallion sauce.

Also, most siu mei (meat roasted) stores will give it to you when you buy siu mei like white cut chicken, Chinese BBQ pork char siu, roast duck etc. Because this sauce tastes so good that I normally make it at home and serve with other meat dishes such as rotisserie chicken, steak, rice, dumplings, pan fried buns and noodles.

Are green onions the same as scallions?

Yes, green onions and scallions are the same thing. Different regions called or named it slightly different, often the terms "green onion" and "scallion" refer to a specific type of young onion with long green stalks and small white bulbs. These types of onions are harvested before the bulb fully develops. It has a milder flavor compared to mature onions.

What are the ingredients for Chinese ginger scallion sauce (薑蓉)?

In this Chinese ginger scallion sauce recipe, there are only 4 simple ingredients: ginger, scallion (green onion), oil and salt.

a bunch of green onion and a piece of ginger root

Do you pour the oil over the ginger, or put the ginger in oil for ginger scallion sauce?

Traditional Cantonese way to make ginger scallion sauce is to pour hot oil over the ginger and green onion. However, some people like to put the ginger in the hot oil and cook it for a few seconds to a minute because it helps to remove the spicy taste from the ginger. It’s up to you and your preference. However, in this ginger scallion sauce recipe I poured the hot oil over the ginger and green onion because my family cooks this way as well.

Which oil should I use for making ginger scallion sauce?

When making ginger scallion sauce, you want to choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point. The neutral oil won't overpower the delicate flavors of ginger and scallions and allow the aromatic and savory taste to shine through. Also, a high smoke point oil ensures it can withstand the high heat without burning or producing a strong taste when you heat up the oil.

You can use vegetable oil, peanut oil, corn oil and canola oil. Personally, I like to use vegetable oil. Besides, avoid using oils with strong flavors such as olive oil or extra virgin olive oil. It is because they may overpower the delicate taste of the ginger scallion sauce.

How do you know the oil is hot enough?

Usually I use a wooden chopstick to test the oil, when I see little bubbles around the chopstick. Then, I know the oil is hot enough. Also, you can use a thermometer to measure the temperature around 400 F. If the oil is not hot enough, it cannot cook the green onion and ginger. And, the flavor will not come out. Therefore, make sure the oil is hot enough in order to make a good and tasty ginger scallion sauce.

Cooking tips for how to make Chinese ginger scallion sauce:

Use fresh ingredients, choose fresh green onions, the vibrant green tops of scallions and firm, aromatic ginger for the best flavor and will enhance the sauce.
Chop the ginger to finely minced. Personally, I like to use a chopper. Not only is it faster, but also ginger is finely minced.
Put minced ginger, green onion into a bowl and add salt.
Heat up some oil in a pan. After, pour the hot oil over and mix well. Be careful with the hot oil, especially when you pour over green onion and ginger. If the oil is not hot enough, it cannot cook the green onion and ginger. Also, the flavor will not come out.
You can dip a wooden chopstick into the oil, if you little bubbles around the chopstick it means the oil is hot. Or, you can use a thermometer to measure the temperature around 400 F.

FAQs:

Do you have to mince ginger and scallion by hand?

Mincing ginger and scallions by hand is a very common way. However, using a chopper or food processor can finely chop the ginger. It is quick and efficient. But, I will still cut green onions by hand instead of using the chopper to prevent a puree texture.

How do you season ginger scallion sauce?

Traditionally, Cantonese ginger scallion sauce is seasoned with salt to enhance its flavors. However, some people like to add soy sauce, chili flakes etc to suit your taste.

How long does ginger scallion sauce last?

It can last for a few days to a week if you refrigerate it.

Can I freeze ginger scallion sauce?

Yes, you can freeze ginger green onion sauce. Put it in a freezer safe container or pour it into ice cube trays for individual portions. It freezes for up to 3 months. You can thaw it in the refrigerator before using.

Can I adjust the spiciness of ginger scallion sauce?

Sure, you can adjust the spiciness of ginger green onion sauce by reducing or increasing the amount of ginger. Or, you can cook the ginger in the hot oil for 30 seconds to a minute.

Instructions for how to make ginger scallion sauce:

Mince ginger:

1. Peel and cut a piece of ginger (2 oz) into 8 slices. Put 8 slices of ginger (2 oz) into a chopper. Then, run the chopper until the ginger turns finely minced.

2. Next, put finely minced ginger from step 1 into a bowl.

Cut green onions:

3. After, cut 5 sticks of green onion (4 oz) into small pieces.

salt cup up green onion and chopped ginger in a white bowl

Seasoning:

4. The following step, put the chopped green onion from step 3 into the bowl and add 1 teaspoon of salt.

Heat up oil:

5. After that, in a pan or pot heat up ½ cup of vegetable oil. Make sure the oil is hot enough before pouring over the ginger and green onion. (You can dip a wooden chopstick into the oil, if you little bubbles around the chopstick it means the oil is hot. Or, you can use a thermometer to measure the temperature around 400F.)

ginger green onion oil sauce in a white bowl

Pour hot oil:

6. Be careful when you pour the hot oil over the ginger and green onion. Then, mix it well.

Enjoy this simple and tasty Chinese ginger scallion sauce recipe! Also, check out these mouth watering chicken, vegetable chow mein, sweet potato leaves stir fry, salt & pepper squid, lobster yee mein, baked salmon and claypot rice recipes.