Versatile Black Pepper Sauce

A versatile and aromatic black pepper sauce perfect for enhancing dishes like steak and stir-fries.

This black pepper sauce is a flavorful addition to steaks, stir-fries, chicken wings, and more. Its rich aroma comes from essential ingredients like onion, garlic, soy sauces, and oyster sauce, providing a deeply savory taste with a kick of freshly ground black pepper. This sauce is a staple in Chinese cuisine, celebrated for its ability to enhance various dishes.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: About 1 cup

Full Ingredient List

1 cup beef broth or water
4 garlic cloves
1/4 onion
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons vegetable cooking oil or butter
1/2 tablespoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt

Black Pepper Sauce

Tools and Equipment

Pan
Stirring spoon
Knife
Cutting board

Ingredients

Quantity	Name	Preparation Notes	Substitutions
1 cup	beef broth or water
4	garlic cloves	minced
1/4	onion	minced
2 tablespoons	light soy sauce
1 teaspoon	dark soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon	freshly ground black pepper		3/4 tablespoon for a milder taste
1 tablespoon	oyster sauce
2 tablespoons	cornstarch	mixed with water
2 tablespoons	water	mixed with cornstarch
2 tablespoons	vegetable cooking oil or butter
1/2 tablespoon	sugar
1/8 teaspoon	salt

Instructions

Step 1: Mince the garlic cloves and onion. Aim to cut them into similar-sized pieces.
Step 2: Heat the oil in a pan and fry the minced garlic and onion until they are slightly soft and aromatic. (Tips: Do not let the garlic burn, as it will turn bitter.)
Step 3: Add the ground black pepper, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and salt to the pan. Stir to combine well. (Tips: Adjust seasoning to taste at this stage.)
Step 4: Mix the cornstarch with water in a small bowl until fully dissolved, then pour the mixture into the pan. (Tips: Stir the cornstarch mixture just before adding to avoid settled starch at the bottom.)
Step 5: Simmer the mixture for another minute, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld together. (Tips: Consistency should be thick enough to coat a spoon.)

Additional Information

Notes: This sauce is highly versatile and can be customized by adjusting the pepper quantity. If you prefer a milder sauce, reduce the amount of black pepper used.

Background: Black pepper sauce is a classic in Chinese kitchens known for its robust flavors. It adds a peppery warmth to any dish and is often associated with Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine.

Geographic Region: East Asian (Chinese)

Seasonality: All-year round

Occasion: Everyday meals

Recommended Pairings

Grilled steak
Stir-fried vegetables
Chicken wings