XO sauce is a Chinese sauce made from chopped seafood, sesame oil and a rich blend of other ingredients that enhance food with a strong flavor. Here I created an easy, no-cook xo sauce recipe that still has all of that umami flavor with less hassle and less steps.
When you're finished and ready to use your sauce, you can stick with authentic Chinese dishes or experiment with different cuisines in a fusion-style.
I like to serve it with these mini Chinese pork buns and cooked vegetables.
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Ingredients
Most recipes use dried seafood, but I've substituted the dried seafood with canned shrimp and scallops for a different (and less time-consuming) spin on it.
- canned shrimp - They are convenient because they are already cooked.
- canned scallops - If you can’t find canned scallops, replace them with 1 extra tablespoon of finely chopped canned shrimp.
- oyster sauce
- chili garlic sauce
- sesame oil
- soy sauce
- fish sauce
Every ingredient in this recipe is perfectly balanced to combine the flavor of seafood with spicy chilies, salty oils and savory sauces. When I was testing this recipe, my family thought it was one of the best XO sauce versions we'd ever tasted, despite not using the dried seafood. It still has that umami flavor that XO sauce is all about!
How to Make it
Like I said earlier, this version is easier than the traditional because you do not need to cook it and less tools are required. All you need to do is:
- Mix everything together in a small bowl.
- Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
If you're not sure how to use XO sauce, this condiment is fairly versatile. You can add it to noodle dishes (like this chicken lo mein stir fry) and stir fries such as my baby bok choy stir fry. Use it to flavor plain rice or as a dipping sauce for shrimp balls.
Add it to your favorite Asian dishes for a taste of the coast. This sauce also pairs well with fresh fish and cooked vegetables. Try adding it to these scallops wrapped in bacon.
You can even add it to hamburgers for a truly eclectic Asian-inspired dish. Just make sure you use it sparingly, as XO sauce has a very strong flavor. A little sauce goes a long way in the kitchen.
Once you've mastered the art of making XO sauce, you can experiment with other authentic Chinese ingredients to put your own twist on this classic condiment. Some suggested ingredients include chopped Jinhua ham, ginger, chilies, brown sugar, etc. Just make sure you use a delicate touch, as a single ingredient can alter the flavor of this sauce.
Storage
To store your sauce, simply pour it into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to two weeks.
If you tried this Easy XO Sauce Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!
📋Recipe
Easy XO Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons canned shrimp - finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon canned scallops1 - finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon fish sauce
Instructions
- Mix everything together in a small bowl.
- Serve!
Notes
- If you can't find canned scallops, replace them with 1 extra tablespoon of finely chopped canned shrimp.
- XO sauce can be added to stir-fries, noodles, rice, as a dipping sauce, etc. It is a strong, concentrated sauce that should be used sparingly.
- It can be stored in a jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
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