Do you find yourself with a surplus of duck sauce packets after ordering Chinese food?
Don’t let them go to waste!
There are plenty of creative ways to use up that sweet and tangy condiment. From marinades to glazes, dressings to dips, and even as a shortcut ingredient in homemade sauces, leftover duck sauce can add a burst of flavor to a variety of dishes.
In this article, we’ll explore some unique and delicious ways to put those extra packets to good use.
So, let’s dive in and discover the possibilities of leftover duck sauce!
What Can You Make With Leftover Duck Sauce?
1. Marinade for Barbecue: Duck sauce can be a great marinade for barbecue with an Asian slant. Mix three packets with soy sauce or Tamari, garlic, and sesame oil, and marinate your choice of protein overnight.
2. Cream Cheese Dip: Toss dried cranberries, golden raisins, and finely chopped red onion with duck sauce. Season with salt, then spoon over a block of cream cheese. Serve with crackers.
3. Glaze for Ham or Pork: Use duck sauce to glaze ham steaks or pork roasts. On pork, the darker the glaze gets, the better.
4. Broccoli and Cabbage Salad: Dress shredded broccoli stalks and red cabbage with duck sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Top with toasted sesame seeds for added crunch.
5. Light Coleslaw: Whisk duck sauce with rice wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, ginger, and sesame oil. Toss with napa cabbage for a light coleslaw to top shredded BBQ pork sandwiches.
6. Dips: Mix duck sauce with yogurt and curry powder or with lime juice and soy sauce to make two different dips.
7. Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Spread sourdough bread with duck sauce and stack with muenster cheese, avocado, and turkey. Pan-fry in butter for a fancy grilled cheese.
8. Fresh Fruit Topping: Mix duck sauce with sour cream to pour over fresh fruit.
Marinades And Glazes
Duck sauce can also be used as a flavorful marinade or glaze for various proteins. For a delicious Asian-inspired barbecue, mix three packets of duck sauce with soy sauce or Tamari, garlic, and sesame oil, and marinate an 8-oz flank steak, pork loin, or chicken breast in it overnight. The result is a juicy and flavorful dish that will impress your guests.
If you’re looking for a unique glaze for your ham or pork roast, try using duck sauce. The darker the glaze gets on the pork, the better it will taste. For a lighter option, dress shredded broccoli stalks and red cabbage with duck sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Top with toasted sesame seeds for added crunch.
For a light coleslaw to top shredded BBQ pork sandwiches, whisk duck sauce with rice wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, ginger, and sesame oil. Another great use for duck sauce is as a dip. Mix it with yogurt and curry powder or with lime juice and soy sauce to make two different dips that will add an extra layer of flavor to your appetizers.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try using duck sauce as a spread for your grilled cheese sandwich. Spread sourdough bread with duck sauce and stack with muenster cheese, avocado, and turkey. Pan-fry in butter for a fancy grilled cheese that will leave your taste buds wanting more.
Finally, mix duck sauce with sour cream to pour over fresh fruit for a unique topping that will impress your guests at your next gathering. With these marinades and glazes, you’ll never have to let those leftover duck sauce packets go to waste again.
Dressings And Dips
One of the best ways to use up leftover duck sauce is to turn it into a delicious dressing or dip. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
1. Creamy Duck Sauce Dressing: Mix together equal parts duck sauce and mayonnaise, then add a splash of rice vinegar and a pinch of salt. This creamy dressing is perfect for drizzling over a salad of mixed greens, shredded carrots, and sliced cucumbers.
2. Spicy Duck Sauce Dip: Stir together duck sauce, hot sauce, and a squeeze of lime juice for a spicy dip that’s perfect for serving with chicken wings or vegetable crudités.
3. Sweet and Sour Dressing: Combine duck sauce with rice vinegar, honey, and a dash of soy sauce for a sweet and sour dressing that’s great on salads or as a marinade for grilled vegetables.
4. Sesame Ginger Dip: Whisk together duck sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, grated ginger, and chopped scallions for a flavorful dip that pairs well with sushi or grilled meats.
5. Tangy Mustard Dressing: Mix together duck sauce, Dijon mustard, honey, and apple cider vinegar for a tangy dressing that’s perfect on roasted vegetables or as a marinade for chicken or pork.
With these simple recipes, you can turn those leftover duck sauce packets into delicious dressings and dips that will add flavor to all your favorite dishes.
Shortcut Sauces
In addition to the above mentioned recipes, leftover duck sauce can also be used as a shortcut ingredient in various sauces. Rachael Ray’s kitchen hacks include using duck sauce to make a shortcut sweet and sour sauce and a mustard-soy dipping sauce. For the sweet and sour sauce, mix duck sauce with ketchup, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. For the mustard-soy dipping sauce, mix duck sauce with Dijon mustard and soy sauce. These sauces are perfect for dipping egg rolls, fried wontons, or chicken wings.
Duck sauce can also be used as a topping for pizza. Rachael Ray uses it on her Peking chicken pizza for added flavor. Similarly, you can use it as an ingredient in homemade salad dressing to accompany Chinese chicken salad. Simply mix duck sauce with rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil for a quick and easy dressing.
Using leftover duck sauce as a shortcut ingredient in sauces is a great way to add flavor without much effort. It can transform simple dishes into delicious meals in no time.
Creative Recipe Ideas
If you’re looking for more creative ways to use up leftover duck sauce, here are some tasty recipe ideas to try:
1. Duck Sauce Glazed Meatballs: Mix duck sauce with ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, and spices to make meatballs. Bake in the oven and brush with additional duck sauce for a sweet glaze.
2. Duck Sauce Fried Rice: Cook rice according to package instructions and set aside. In a wok or large skillet, heat oil and sauté diced onions, carrots, and peas until tender. Add cooked rice and stir in duck sauce until evenly coated.
3. Duck Sauce Stir Fry: Cut up your choice of protein (chicken, beef, shrimp, tofu) into bite-sized pieces and stir fry with sliced vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms). Add duck sauce to the pan and toss until everything is coated in the sweet sauce.
4. Duck Sauce BBQ Pizza: Spread duck sauce on a pre-made pizza crust or flatbread. Top with shredded BBQ chicken or pork, sliced red onion, and shredded cheese. Bake in the oven until cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Duck Sauce Glazed Brussels Sprouts: Roast Brussels sprouts in the oven until tender and crispy. Toss with duck sauce and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for added flavor.
6. Duck Sauce Chicken Wings: Bake or fry chicken wings until crispy. Toss with duck sauce for a sweet and savory twist on classic wings.
7. Duck Sauce Glazed Salmon: Brush salmon fillets with duck sauce and bake in the oven until cooked through. Serve with steamed rice and vegetables for a healthy and flavorful meal.
8. Duck Sauce Veggie Dip: Mix duck sauce with Greek yogurt or sour cream for a tasty dip for fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, and bell peppers.
With these creative recipe ideas, you’ll never let leftover duck sauce go to waste again!
