Gluten-Free Mala Sauce

Nutriscore Rating: 48/100

Dive into the bold and fiery world of Sichuan cuisine with this Gluten-Free Mala Sauce, a versatile and allergen-friendly twist on the traditional tongue-tingling Chinese condiment. Crafted with aromatic Sichuan peppercorns, smoky dried red chilies, and a perfectly balanced blend of gluten-free soy sauce, tamari, and doubanjiang, this sauce delivers the iconic numbing spice and deep umami flavor without compromising dietary needs. Enhanced by garlic, ginger, five spice powder, and a hint of dark brown sugar, it’s ideal as a stir-fry base, marinade, or dipping sauce. Quick and easy to prepare, it’s the ultimate gluten-free solution for lovers of spicy, authentic Sichuan cuisine.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 15 min
• Total Time: 25 min
• Servings: 8 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

15 items

• 2 tablespoons Sichuan peppercorns
• 6 whole Dried red chilies
• 3 tablespoons Gluten-free soy sauce
• 4 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Ginger, minced
• 2 tablespoons Bean paste (doubanjiang)
• 1 tablespoon Dark brown sugar
• 0.5 cup Vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon Sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons Rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Gluten-free tamari
• 1 teaspoon Five spice powder
• 2 tablespoons Chili flakes
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 cup Water

📝 Instructions

8 steps

1. Place the Sichuan peppercorns in a pan over medium heat, and dry roast for about 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Remove from the pan and set aside to cool, then grind them with a mortar and pestle or spice grinder.

2. Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger, cooking for about 2 minutes until fragrant.

3. Add the bean paste (doubanjiang) and stir for another minute to combine.

4. Lower the heat and add the dried red chilies, ground Sichuan peppercorns, and chili flakes. Stir for another 2 minutes carefully, ensuring the spices do not burn.

5. Add the gluten-free soy sauce, gluten-free tamari, rice vinegar, dark brown sugar, and five spice powder into the pan, stirring to blend completely.

6. Pour in water and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

7. Turn off the heat and add the sesame oil and salt, stirring one last time to ensure everything is mixed well.

8. Let the sauce cool to room temperature, then transfer to a sterilized jar and store in the refrigerator. It can be used for stir-fries, dipping sauces, or as a marinade.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (54.4g)

Calories		162
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		15.4 g	20%
	Saturated Fat	2.2 g	11%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	9.1 g
Cholesterol		0 mg	0%
Sodium		905 mg	39%
Total Carbohydrate		6.1 g	2%
	Dietary Fiber	0.9 g	3%
	Total Sugars	1.9 g
Protein		2.2 g	4%
Vitamin D		0.0 mcg	0%
Calcium		16 mg	1%
Iron		0.6 mg	3%
Potassium		84 mg	2%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 1103 cal (80.5%%)

Protein: 72 cal (5.3%%)

Carbs: 194 cal (14.2%%)