You can bring the magical taste of these famous lettuce wraps to your own dining table. Making the PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps sauce at home is simpler than you might think, and the versatile flavors are bound to please everyone, from the spice enthusiasts to those who appreciate the subtlety of oyster sauce’s depth.
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How to make PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps Sauce
P.F. Chang’s Lettuce Wraps Sauce is a key component of their famous Chicken Lettuce Wraps, adding a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy kick to the dish.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 1 teaspoon Chinese style hot mustard
- 2 teaspoons oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Optional: A pinch of sugar to balance the flavors
Instructions:
- Combine Soy Sauce and Vinegar: Start by mixing the soy sauce and rice vinegar in a small bowl. This will form the tangy base of your sauce.
- Add Chili and Mustard: Stir in the chili garlic sauce and Chinese style hot mustard to the mix. This introduces that signature heat and depth. Feel free to adjust the amounts depending on your tolerance for spice.
- Mix in Oyster Sauce: The oyster sauce is next. It lends a unique savory flavor that is hard to replicate with any other ingredient. It’s what gives the sauce its body and richness.
- Finish with Sesame Oil: Finally, add in the sesame oil, stirring well to incorporate it. Sesame oil has a strong flavor, so a little goes a long way. It gives the sauce its distinct aroma and ties all other flavors together.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste your sauce and adjust any of the ingredients according to your preference. If it’s too tangy, add a bit more oyster sauce. Too spicy? A pinch of sugar can help balance it out.
Tips for Perfect Sauce:
- Freshness Counts: For the best flavor, use fresh ingredients, especially when it comes to the garlic and the sesame oil. They lose their pungency over time.
- Let It Sit: If possible, let the sauce sit for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Adjust to Taste: The beauty of making PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps sauce at home is the ability to adjust the flavors to your liking. Don’t be afraid to play around with the measurements.
- Serving Suggestion: While this sauce is designed for lettuce wraps, it’s incredibly versatile. Try it with dumplings, over noodles, or as a marinade for chicken or beef.
What to serve with
PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps sauce, with its unique blend of savory, spicy, and a hint of sweetness, makes it a versatile accompaniment to a wide array of dishes. While it is famously paired with the lettuce wraps themselves, its potential for pairing goes well beyond.
Traditional Lettuce Wraps
- Chicken or Turkey: Ground chicken or turkey sautéed with onions, garlic, and maybe even some water chestnuts for crunch wonderfully absorbs the sauce, making for a classic pairing.
- Vegetarian Option: For a veggie version, try tofu or finely chopped mushrooms. The mushrooms, in particular, bring a meaty texture and umami flavor that goes excellently with the tangy sauce.
Asian-Inspired Dishes
- Dumplings or Potstickers: Dip or drizzle the sauce over dumplings and potstickers for an enhanced dining experience.
- Fried Rice or Noodles: Stir the sauce into your favorite fried rice or noodles to elevate the dish with an extra layer of flavor.
Proteins
- Grilled Meats: Whether it’s chicken, beef, or pork, the sauce can serve as a marinade before grilling or as a glaze in the final minutes of cooking.
- Seafood: Shrimp and scallops can be quickly sautéed and tossed in the sauce for a decadent appetizer or main course.
Vegetables and Salads
- Crudité Platter: The sauce doubles as an intriguing dip for a platter of raw vegetables, offering a delightful crunch and spicy kick.
- Asian Slaw: Use the sauce as a dressing base for an Asian-inspired slaw, mixing in cabbage, carrots, and green onions for a light, refreshing side.
Ingredients Substitutes
Creating a homemade version of PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps sauce involves a combination of savory, sweet, and spicy ingredients. However, if you find yourself missing an ingredient or catering to dietary restrictions, there are many substitutions that can help you replicate the complex flavors of the original sauce.
Soy Sauce
Alternative: Tamari or Coconut Aminos. Tamari is a gluten-free alternative with a similar flavor profile. Coconut aminos are a soy-free, lower sodium option that also adds a hint of sweetness.
Hoisin Sauce
Alternative: A mixture of peanut butter with a dash of soy sauce, honey, and a pinch of garlic powder can mimic the sweet and tangy flavor of hoisin sauce. For a gluten-free version, ensure the soy sauce is replaced with tamari.
Rice Vinegar
Alternative: Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can be used as substitutes. Both options provide the requisite acidity, though they may add a slightly different flavor profile. Start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste.
Chili Garlic Sauce or Sriracha
Alternative: If you can’t find chili garlic sauce, you can combine crushed red pepper flakes mixed with minced garlic and a bit of tomato paste. Adjust the quantities based on your desired heat level. For sriracha, any hot sauce can be a substitute, but it will alter the flavor profile slightly.
Oyster Sauce
Alternative: You can make a faux oyster sauce by combining soy sauce with a bit of brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. The result approximates the depth of oyster sauce’s earthiness and sweetness. For a vegetarian or vegan option, mushroom sauce or vegan Worcestershire sauce can work as well.
Sesame Oil
Alternative: While sesame oil has a unique flavor, if you’re in a pinch, you can use a combination of neutral oil (like canola or vegetable oil) with a small amount of toasted sesame seeds mixed in to give a nod to that nutty flavor. However, it’s important to note that this will not fully replicate the distinctive taste of sesame oil.
Fresh Ingredients (Ginger, Garlic)
Alternative: If fresh is unavailable, you can use the ground or powdered versions of these ingredients, though the fresh versions provide a brighter flavor. The general rule of thumb is 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger for every tablespoon of fresh ginger required and 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder for every fresh garlic clove.
Sweetener (Sugar, Honey)
Alternative: Brown sugar, maple syrup, or agave syrup can substitute for white sugar or honey in the sauce. Each alternative sweetener brings its unique flavor and may alter the sauce’s final taste slightly. Start with a lesser amount and adjust to achieve the desired sweetness level.
Final Thoughts
By following these instructions and keeping the tips in mind, you’ll have a delicious recreation of PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps sauce ready to enhance not just lettuce wraps but countless other dishes with its complex, robust flavors.
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 1 teaspoon Chinese style hot mustard
- 2 teaspoons oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Optional: A pinch of sugar to balance the flavors
Instructions
- Combine Soy Sauce and Vinegar: Start by mixing the soy sauce and rice vinegar in a small bowl. This will form the tangy base of your sauce.
- Add Chili and Mustard: Stir in the chili garlic sauce and Chinese style hot mustard to the mix. This introduces that signature heat and depth. Feel free to adjust the amounts depending on your tolerance for spice.
- Mix in Oyster Sauce: The oyster sauce is next. It lends a unique savory flavor that is hard to replicate with any other ingredient. It's what gives the sauce its body and richness.
- Finish with Sesame Oil: Finally, add in the sesame oil, stirring well to incorporate it. Sesame oil has a strong flavor, so a little goes a long way. It gives the sauce its distinct aroma and ties all other flavors together.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste your sauce and adjust any of the ingredients according to your preference. If it’s too tangy, add a bit more oyster sauce. Too spicy? A pinch of sugar can help balance it out.
