3 Ways to Make Dipping Sauces for Spring Rolls

The dipping sauce is the soul of the dish and a key factor in determining whether the dish is successful. In this article, Food Vietnamese will share with you how to make rich, authentic dipping sauces for spring rolls that will enhance the flavors and make them irresistible.

For those who love spring rolls, the dipping sauce plays a crucial role. In fact, not everyone knows how to mix a delicious dipping sauce that balances all the flavors.

1. How to Make Peanut Sauce for Vegetarian Spring Rolls

Ingredients for the Dipping Sauce:

• 200g peanuts
• 1 shallot
• 1 tablespoon tapioca starch
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vegetarian seasoning powder
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• A pinch of salt and sugar

To select good peanuts, choose ones that are uniform in size, round, and not misshapen or bent. Peanuts with a reddish-brown, shiny shell are better than those with a whitish shell. When you press on the peanut, it should feel firm, hard, and dry. Avoid buying peanuts with a foul odor, mold, or black spots, as these are signs of spoilage and are not suitable for use.

Steps to Make Vegetarian Dipping Sauce

Once you have all the ingredients, follow these steps to make peanut sauce for spring rolls:

1. Place a small pan on the stove, add the peanuts along with half a teaspoon of salt, and roast them over low heat. Stir continuously until the peanuts start to shed their skins and turn a deep brown, then turn off the heat.
2. Wait for the peanuts to cool slightly, then peel them and place the kernels in a bowl.
3. Peel the shallot, wash, and finely chop it.
4. Put the peeled peanuts into a blender, add a bowl of water, and blend on high for about 4 minutes until the peanuts are smooth and not gritty, then turn off the machine.
5. Place a small pot on the stove, add the chopped shallot and 1 tablespoon of cooking oil, and sauté until fragrant. Pour the blended mixture and an additional bowl of water into the pot, stir well, and cook over medium heat. Season with 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of vegetarian seasoning powder, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Continue stirring until everything is dissolved and adjust the seasoning to your taste.
6. In a new bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of tapioca starch with 1-2 tablespoons of water, stir well, and gradually pour it into the peanut sauce while stirring on the stove. Keep stirring to achieve a thick sauce consistency, continue cooking for about 15 minutes over low heat, then turn off the stove. One thing to note is to continuously stir the mixture while cooking to prevent the bottom from burning or clumping.

Once successfully made, the peanut sauce will be fragrant, smooth, and rich with the distinctive aroma of peanuts. The sweet and sour, creamy taste of the sauce enhances the flavors of spring rolls, noodles, or rice paper dishes. If you enjoy spicy food, you can add sliced chili, fried shallots, and a bit of pickled vegetables to the sauce, mix well, and enjoy.

2. How to Make Black Bean Sauce with Peanut Butter for Spring Rolls

Ingredients for Black Bean Sauce with Peanut Butter:

• 300g fermented soybean paste
• Half a tablespoon of peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots
• Half a tablespoon minced chili
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Visit reputable supermarkets or grocery stores to purchase black bean sauce, or buy online from major e-commerce platforms. Before purchasing, check the packaging, expiration date, and ensure the packaging is intact, not discolored or torn, and that the sauce inside is free from mold to ensure product quality.

Detailed Instructions for Making Peanut Sauce for Spring Rolls

Here are the detailed steps to make peanut sauce:

1. Scoop 5 tablespoons of fermented soybean paste into a blender, add 8 tablespoons of water, and blend.
2. Place a pan on the stove over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil, and when the oil is hot, sauté the minced garlic until fragrant.
3. Once the garlic is golden and aromatic, add the blended soybean paste, peanut butter, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Stir until the mixture thickens slightly, season to taste, then turn off the heat.

When serving, scoop the sauce into a bowl, add crushed roasted peanuts and minced chili, and enjoy. The fragrant, creamy peanut butter, the nutty roasted peanuts, and the spicy chili make for a perfect dipping sauce for spring rolls.

3. How to Make Fermented Fish Sauce Dip for Spring Rolls

Ingredients for Fermented Fish Sauce Dip:

• 7 tablespoons fermented fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped pineapple
• 3 tablespoons pineapple juice
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced chili
• 5 tablespoons sugar.

How to Prepare Fermented Fish Sauce Dip for Spring Rolls

Follow these steps to make fermented fish sauce dip for spring rolls:

1. In a bowl, combine 7 tablespoons of fermented fish sauce, 4 tablespoons of pineapple juice, 5 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of lime juice.
2. Stir well with a spoon, then add finely chopped pineapple, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of minced chili. Mix everything together and adjust the seasoning to taste.

The finished fermented fish sauce dip will have an eye-catching color and a distinctive aroma that will make your mouth water. The dip is spicy, tangy, and fragrant with the rich flavor of fish sauce, enhancing the deliciousness of spring rolls and making you want to eat more.

I hope the above tips have helped you learn how to make a dipping sauce for spring rolls to make the dish more appealing and enticing. Visit Foodvietnamese.com daily to learn more authentic Vietnamese recipes!