Filipino Sawsawan: Soy Sauce and Vinegar Dipping Sauce

A Filipino dipping sauce primarily made with vinegar, soy sauce and onions. It's tangy, a little bit salty with a hint of sweetness.

An all-around dipping sauce

This Filipino sawsawan (Filipino term for dipping sauce) is always a hit with fried pork dishes. The tanginess gives balance to the greasy flavor, making it less overwhelming (pangtanggal umay). In fact, these sauces are one of the reasons why we are able to devour big portions of fried fatty foods. They just make everything better!

Foods to eat with this dipping sauce

• Lechon Belly with Pork Crackling
• Lechon Manok (Roasted Chicken)
• Crispy pata (deep-fried pork knuckles)
• Lechon kawali (crispy fried pork belly)
• Pritong isda (fried fish)
• Inihaw na Isda (grilled fish)
• Buttered Shrimp
• Halabos na Hipon

How to make it

Combine all the ingredients together in a bowl. Whisk until the sugar has completely dissolved. Let the sauce stand for around 20 to 30 minutes. This will marinate the raw onions and will make the sauce even more flavorful!

Do a taste test before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed–add more sugar if you want it sweeter or add more soy sauce if you want it saltier.

That is it! Easy peasy!

Shelf life and Storage

This soy-vinegar dipping sauce can last up to 3 months if refrigerated properly.

Store in an air-tight glass jar or bottle. Refrigerate to keep the flavor fresh. Remember it should be air-tight as the onion smell can get stronger the longer it marinates.

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Complete Recipe

Soy Sauce and Vinegar Dipping Sauce

5 from 2 votes

A Filipino dipping sauce primarily made with vinegar and soy sauce. It's tangy, a little bit salty with a hint of sweetness from sugar and raw onions.

Makes (tap to scale):2 servings

Prep Time:5 mins

Cooking Time:5 mins

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Equipment

• 25 oz Airtight Glass Jar with Lid for small batch
• 50 oz Airtight Glass Jar with Lid for big batch

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

SMALL BATCH

• ▢ ½ cup cane vinegar (note 1)
• ▢ 3 teaspoon Filipino soy sauce (note 2)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or white, add more if preferred)
• ▢ 1 small red onion (finely chopped)
• ▢ 1 clove garlic (finely chopped)
• ▢ red and green chilies (chopped, to taste)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon water (note 2)

BIG BATCH TO KEEP

• ▢ 2 cup cane vinegar (note 1)
• ▢ ¼ cup Filipino soy sauce (note 2)
• ▢ ¼ cup brown sugar (or white, add more if preferred)
• ▢ 1 large onion (finely chopped)
• ▢ 5 cloves garlic
• ▢ 2-3 pieces green chili (siling haba/pang-sinigang) ( sliced)
• ▢ red chili (to taste)
• ▢ 3-4 tablespoon water (note 2)

Instructions

• In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Whisk until sugar is dissolved.
• Let it stand for 20 to 30 minutes. Do a taste test. Add more sugar or water based on preference. Start with 1 teaspoon at a time. Note that water will help lessen the sourness of the sauce. Use less, if preferred.
• Pour in an airtight glass container and keep in the fridge until needed.
• Serve with lechon kawali, lechon pork belly roll, BBQ, fried fish and other seafood.

Recipe Notes and Tips:

1. Vinegar options: Distilled Vinegar, White Wine Vinegar, Coconut Vinegar, and Rice Vinegar.
2. Soy Sauce: If using regular soy sauce like Kikkoman, use less water as it's less salty than Filipino soy sauce.
3. Storage: This sauce can be made days ahead. Store in an air-tight glass jar and refrigerate until needed. Remember it should be air-tight as the onion smell can get stronger the longer it marinates.
4. Serving: calculation is based on the small batch ingredients
5. Shelf-life: This can last up to 3 months if refrigerated properly.

Author : Mella

Course : Dipping sauce

Cuisine : Filipino

Keyword : filipino sauce, sawsawan

Nutrition Facts

Soy Sauce and Vinegar Dipping Sauce

Amount per Serving

Calories

95

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

1

g

2

%

Saturated Fat

 

1

g

6

%

Sodium

 

1515

mg

66

%

Potassium

 

218

mg

6

%

Carbohydrates

 

21

g

7

%

Fiber

 

2

g

8

%

Sugar

 

13

g

14

%

Protein

 

4

g

8

%

Vitamin C

 

9

mg

11

%

Calcium

 

25

mg

3

%

Iron

 

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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