Inasal Dipping Sauce Recipe (Sawsawan)
This classic Inasal Dipping Sauce delivers bright, savory flavor that pairs well with grilled chicken, pork, seafood, and more.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cane vinegar
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 3 finely minced garlic cloves
- ½ peeled small-diced shallot
- 2 teaspoons calamansi juice
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 Thai chile, seeded and finely minced
- 1 small diced pickling cucumber, about ½ to 2/3 cup
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a medium-sized bowl.
- Stir with a spoon until the sugar is dissolved.
- Serve or chill.
Notes
This pretty much goes with all of my recipes (especially the sauces), but when I make inasal sauce, I make sure to taste it before serving. The intensity of the vinegar, citrus, chiles, and soy sauce can all vary, so it’s important to taste and tweak the sauce to ensure there’s a great balance of clean, bold flavors. If the sauce tastes too sharp, salty, or spicy, add a little more sugar, calamansi juice, or a splash of water.
Dissolve the sugar: I always stir the sauce for at least 30 seconds, or until the sugar granules have completely dissolved. This keeps the sauce smooth instead of gritty.
Mince finely: I use a sharp chef’s knife to finely mince the shallot and a microplane to grate the garlic cloves. Minced aromatics distribute more evenly throughout the sauce, ensuring every bite is as tasty as possible.
Chill before serving: Each time I make this, I do my best to resist serving it right away. Instead, I chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes or even overnight so the flavors have more time to develop.
Make-Ahead: For the best flavor, make the inasal sauce at least a day before serving. Keep it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.
How to Store: I keep the leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. If you leave out the diced cucumber, it will freeze well for 2 to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and give it a quick stir before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 17kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 0.04gSaturated Fat: 0.004gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.002gSodium: 407mgPotassium: 60mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 16IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.3mg