How to Make and Use Homemade Asian Plum Sauce for Delicious Dishes

Marie Overton
Jul 27
3 min read

Asian plum sauce is a versatile condiment that adds a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors to many dishes. Making your own plum sauce at home lets you control the ingredients, adjust the taste to your preference, and enjoy a fresher, more vibrant sauce than store-bought versions. This post will walk you through the process of making, canning, and using homemade Asian plum sauce to elevate your meals.

What Is Asian Plum Sauce?

Asian plum sauce, sometimes called duck sauce, is a sweet and tangy sauce commonly used in Chinese cuisine. It typically combines plums, sugar, vinegar, ginger, garlic, and spices to create a rich, flavorful sauce. This sauce pairs well with roasted meats, fried appetizers, and stir-fries, making it a staple in many kitchens.

Ingredients You Will Need

To make your own Asian plum sauce, gather the following ingredients:

8 cups plums, halved and pitted
1 cup water
1 cup onion, diced
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon chipotle pepper powder (for heat, increase or decrease to taste)

These ingredients combine to create a balanced sauce that is sweet, sour, and slightly spicy.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Asian Plum Sauce

1. Prepare the Plums

Wash the plums thoroughly, halve and remove the pits.

2. Cook the Ingredients

Hand adds ground ginger to pot of chopped plums and onions on granite counter; text: 1/4 teaspoon Ground Ginger

In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped plums, water, onion, garlic and ginger. Stir well to mix everything.

Hand stirs a pot of simmering red plums and onion pieces on a stovetop, with a dark kitchen background.

Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to help the plums break down.

3. Blend the Sauce

Hand stirring red sauce in a large pot on a granite counter, surrounded by bowls of spices and a jar of oil.

After simmering, the plums should be soft and the mixture thickened. Use an immersion blender or transfer the mixture to a blender to puree until smooth. Be careful when blending hot liquids.

4. Add spices

Hand adds spice to a pot of red sauce on a granite countertop, with a spoon and small metal bowls nearby.

Add sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tang, or spices for flavor. Return the sauce to the pan and simmer for another 45 minutes.

Hand stirs a pot of red soup or sauce on a black stovetop with an ornate spoon labeled CHINA.

How to Can Asian Plum Sauce Safely

Canning your plum sauce allows you to keep it fresh for several months. Follow these steps for safe canning:

Heat your jars and lids.
Fill the hot half pint jars with hot plum sauce, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace.
Wipe the rims clean and seal with the lids on top and screw on the metal bands until they are fingertip tight.
(For quality, American made Superb canning lids and jars follow this link and use the coupon code WP20 to get 20% off your purchase.)
Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes if at sea level. (Adjust the processing time if you are above 1000 feet.)
After processing, allow to cool in the water bath with the heat off and the lid removed for 5 minutes. Use the jar lifter to remove the jars and set them on a heat resistant surface about 1-2 inches apart. Let them cool for 24 hours.

Store canned plum sauce in a cool, dry, dark place. Once opened, refrigerate and use within two weeks.

Creative Ways to Use Asian Plum Sauce

Jars of homemade plum jam with gold lids on a woven mat, spoon in an open bowl, surrounded by red plums and a blue globe.

Asian plum sauce is incredibly versatile. Here are some ideas to incorporate it into your cooking:

Dipping sauce for spring rolls, dumplings, or fried wontons.
Glaze for roasted duck, chicken, or pork to add a shiny, flavorful coating.
Stir-fry sauce mixed with soy sauce and sesame oil for vegetables or meats.
Sandwich spread to add a sweet and tangy kick to burgers or wraps.
Salad dressing when thinned with a little oil and lime juice for an Asian-inspired salad.

Experiment with the sauce to find your favorite uses.

Final Thoughts on Homemade Asian Plum Sauce

Making your own Asian plum sauce is rewarding and simple. It brings authentic flavors to your kitchen and enhances many dishes with its sweet and tangy profile. Whether you use it as a dip, glaze, or cooking sauce, homemade plum sauce adds a fresh, delicious touch that store-bought versions often lack.