Zhong Sauce Recipes (Including Chinese Shrimp Recipe)

Zhong sauce has roots deeply embedded in the rich culinary culture of Sichuan, China and, while it is often associated a a sauce for dumplings, it can be used in a variety of  Zhong sauce recipes.

Zhong sauce is compromised of a blend of flavors, integrating spicy, sweet, salty, and umami notes into a singular, harmonious profile. While traditional formulations of Zhong sauce have graced numerous dishes, modern brands, such as Fly By Jing, have presented this historic condiment to the global market, maintaining authentic flavors while ensuring accessibility to a wider audience. 

Here, I provide an overview of various ways of using Zhong sauce and include a spicy shrimp recipe with Zhong sauce. It is essentially a unique grilled Chinese Sichuan shrimp recipe.

Characteristics of Zhong Sauce

Zhong sauce has a rich flavor profile that is a mix of sweet and spicy. It is traditionally used with dumplings, but works with many different Asian dishes. 

• Flavor Profile: A complex amalgamation of chili, fermented broad beans, garlic, and other spices.
• Texture and Consistency: A slightly gritty, thick consistency that adds a notable mouthfeel to dishes.
• Color: A rich, dark reddish-brown color that enhances the visual appeal of culinary creations.

Fly By Jing: Bringing Authenticity to Modern Tables

Fly By Jing, known for its dedication to bringing authentic Chinese flavors to the global market, offers a Zhong sauce that adheres to traditional preparation methods while also accommodating modern palates. The brand’s Sichuan sauce, featuring a balanced flavor profile, introduces an element that complements an array of ingredients and dishes, opening up new avenues for culinary exploration.

You can make your own marinade or use Fly by Jing in recipes. Buy Fly By Jing Zhong Sauce here on Amazon. 

The recipe I give here is more of a cilantro, jalapeno, parsley based recipe. the Fly By Jing version is soy and Asian pepper based, so they look much different. 

How To Use Zhong Sauce in Recipes

Zhong sauce works well both as a marinade and as a dipping sauce or glaze. Here are some ways you can use it.  

1. Meat Dishes

• Marination: Use Zhong sauce as a marinade for beef, pork, or poultry, allowing the meat to soak up its multifaceted flavors.
• Braising: Incorporate the sauce into braising liquids to infuse meats with its deep, rich flavors during slow cooking processes.

2. Vegetable Stir-fries

• Enhancement: Add Zhong sauce during stir-frying vegetables to provide a flavorful depth and a spicy kick.
• Glazing: Utilize the sauce as a glaze to finish off vegetable dishes, adding a shiny, flavorful coat to the produce.

3. Noodle and Rice Dishes

• Stir-frying: Integrate Zhong sauce into stir-fried noodle and rice dishes to imbue them with a balanced, spicy profile.
• Sauce Base: Use it as a base sauce or a topping for noodle bowls, enhancing the overall flavor experience.

4. Seafood

• Grilling: Brush Zhong sauce onto seafood before or during grilling to provide a flavorful crust and an internal infusion of the sauce’s complexity.
• Steaming: Add the sauce to the steaming liquid to subtly infuse the seafood with its flavors during the cooking process.

5. Tofu and Plant-based Dishes

• Crumbling: Mix Zhong sauce into crumbled tofu to create a spicy, flavorful base for plant-based recipes.
• Sautéing: Add the sauce during the sautéing of plant-based proteins to incorporate its robust flavor throughout the dish.

6. Dips and Spreads

• Sauce Mixing: Combine Zhong sauce with mayonnaise, yogurt, or cream cheese to create a spicy, flavorful dip or spread.
• Accompaniment: Offer the sauce as a standalone dipping option for appetizers like spring rolls or dumplings.

Shrimp with Zhong Sauce Recipe (Chinese Shrimp Recipe)

The below recipe uses large shrimp (16-20 count) and includes a recipe for Zhong Sauce that uses Western ingredients. You can also make the dish quicker and more authentic by using premade  Fly by Jing sauce. Honestly, I prefer the Fly by Jing version! But I have the homemade one shown here.

The ingredients consist of shrimp, basic spices, and a variety of vegetables.

The shrimp are marinated while the Zhong sauce is made in a food processor. 

 

The recipe is prepared using skewers, but you can also simply marinade the shrimp and sauté or grill them. 

The shrimp are served on skewers with the Zhong sauce for dipping. 

This recipe uses a simple marinade and then the shrimp is served with Zhong sauce for dipping. You can also glaze the shrimp with the Zhong sauce when grilling if desired.   

 

 

Last Updated on October 10, 2023 by Carleen