PF Chang’s is a popular Chinese-American casual dining restaurant chain that is known for its flavorful dishes and signature sauces. Many customers love the flavor boost that the sauces provide to dishes like chicken, beef, rice, vegetables and more. There are 3 main signature sauces that can be found at PF Chang’s – the Chile Sauce, the Sweet and Sour Sauce, and the Spicy Garlic Sauce.
PF Chang’s Chile Sauce
The PF Chang’s Chile Sauce is one of their most popular sauces. It has a tangy, sweet and spicy flavor profile that goes well with many of their meat and vegetable dishes. The sauce contains chili peppers, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, sugar and other seasonings and ingredients. It provides a nice blend of heat and sweetness that enhances the flavor of stir fry dishes, rice bowls, lettuce wraps and more. The chile sauce can be ordered on the side or added to entrees for an extra kick.
Here are some key details on the PF Chang’s Chile Sauce:
- Color: Bright orange-red
- Texture: Smooth, slightly thickened sauce
- Flavor: Sweet, tangy, mildly spicy
- Main Ingredients: Chili peppers, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, sugar
- Great on: Chicken, beef, shrimp, rice, vegetables
- Heat Level: Mild to medium
The chile sauce at PF Chang’s provides a flavor packed punch that enhances many of their stir fry’s, rice bowls and other dishes. It strikes a nice balance between sweet and heat that satisfies your tastebuds. The sauce incorporates traditional Asian ingredients like garlic, ginger and rice vinegar with the added kick from chili peppers. It’s versatile enough to pair well with poultry, beef, seafood and veggies.
PF Chang’s Sweet and Sour Sauce
Another one of the signature sauces at PF Chang’s is their Sweet and Sour sauce. As you may have guessed from the name, this sauce combines sweet and sour flavors to create a bright, zesty condiment. The PF Chang’s Sweet and Sour sauce has a deep reddish-orange color and glossy texture. It goes well with chicken, shrimp and vegetable dishes. The sauce helps provide a balance of flavors – the sweetness from sugar and the tartness from rice vinegar. Here are some more details on the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- Color: Dark orange-red
- Texture: Glossy and lightly thickened
- Flavor: Sweet and tart
- Main Ingredients: Sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, pineapple, onions
- Great on: Chicken, shrimp, vegetables
- Goes well with: Fried rice, stir fries
This brightly colored sauce has a glistening look from the touch of cornstarch used to thicken it. The flavor strikes a yin-yang type balance between the sweet and the sour. You get sweetness from the sugar and pineapple and tartness from the rice vinegar. Onions and soy sauce add some savoriness as well. It’s a versatile table sauce that pairs nicely with PF Chang’s chicken, shrimp and veggie dishes. The sweet and sour sauce is especially good drizzled on entrees served with fried rice.
PF Chang’s Spicy Garlic Sauce
For those who like a little extra heat and garlic flavor, the Spicy Garlic Sauce is a popular choice at PF Chang’s. Out of their trio of signature sauces, this one packs the most punch. It contains a blend of chili peppers, garlic, sugar, vinegar and spices. The sauce has an orange-red color and slightly thick, glossy texture. Here are more details on the Spicy Garlic Sauce:
- Color: Vibrant reddish-orange
- Texture: Glossy and mildly thick
- Flavor: Garlic, sweet, vinegar, spicy
- Main Ingredients: Garlic, chili peppers, sugar, vinegar, spices
- Great on: Beef, chicken, shrimp, rice, veggies
- Heat level: Medium to hot
This sauce really spotlights the garlic and chili pepper flavors. You get pungent garlic flavor combined with a noticeable level of heat. It has a thicker consistency from the cornstarch used to lightly thicken it. The sweetness from the sugar balances against the chili pepper heat. Overall, it provides a nice blend of spicy, sweet and tart. The Spicy Garlic Sauce is a good choice for spicing up entrees, fried rice and dipping appetizers like dumplings or egg rolls.
Using the Sauces Together
One great thing about PF Chang’s trio of signature sauces is that they complement each other nicely when used together. For example, drizzling a little Sweet and Sour, Chile and Spicy Garlic sauce all together on an entree like Mongolian Beef really brings the flavors to life. The sweet balances the heat, the garlic kicks things up a notch, and the tartness provides contrast. Don’t be afraid to mix and match these 3 sauces to create your own perfect flavor profile!
Sauce Ingredients & Nutrition
PF Chang’s uses high quality ingredients to create their signature sauces. Here is a look at some of the main ingredients found in each sauce:
| Sauce | Main Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Chile Sauce | Chili peppers, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, sugar |
| Sweet and Sour Sauce | Sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, pineapple, onions |
| Spicy Garlic Sauce | Garlic, chili peppers, sugar, vinegar, spices |
In terms of nutrition, the sauces are low in calories but pack big flavor. The Chile Sauce and Sweet and Sour sauce both have about 30 calories per 2 tablespoon serving. The Spicy Garlic Sauce is slightly higher with 45 calories per 2 tablespoon serving. All 3 sauces are fat free and low in sodium. They add lots of flavor for minimal calories.
Sauce Storage Tips
To get the most out of your PF Chang’s sauces, be sure to store them properly after bringing them home from the restaurant. Here are some storage tips:
- Keep unopened bottles refrigerated and use within 4-6 weeks for best quality.
- Store opened bottles in the refrigerator and use within 4-6 months.
- Make sure bottles are tightly sealed to prevent sauces from absorbing fridge odors.
- If sauce separates, stir or shake before using to recombine.
- For maximum shelf life, store in original packaging until ready to use.
- Freeze extra sauce in ice cube trays, then store frozen cubes in freezer bags.
With proper storage, you can enjoy these signature sauces for months after bringing them home from PF Chang’s. They make it easy to add that PF Chang’s flavor to your own home cooked meals!
How to Use PF Chang’s Sauces at Home
PF Chang’s sauces aren’t just for enjoying in the restaurant – they can also help spice up homemade meals! Here are some creative ways to use PF Chang’s signature sauces at home:
- Stir fries: Add a spoonful of Chile Sauce, Sweet & Sour Sauce or Spicy Garlic Sauce to vegetable, chicken, beef or shrimp stir fries.
- Rice bowls: Drizzle PF Chang’s sauces over rice and protein bowls for extra flavor.
- Chicken wings and tenders: Toss cooked wings or tenders in Sweet & Sour Sauce or Spicy Garlic Sauce.
- Dipping sauce: Use sauces for dipping dumplings, potstickers, spring rolls and other finger foods.
- Grilled proteins: Brush PF Chang’s sauces on chicken, pork, fish or tofu before grilling.
- Sauce for noodles: Toss drained noodles with a spoonful of sauce for a quick and easy meal.
PF Chang’s sauces are all-purpose condiments that can be used in endless ways to livin’ up meals at home. Keep a few bottles on hand to add PF Chang’s inspired flavor anytime.
Copycat Recipes
Can’t get enough of those PF Chang’s sauces? Try making copycat version at home! Here are some recipe ideas:
Copycat PF Chang’s Chile Sauce
- 1⁄4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 1 tbsp sriracha hot sauce
- 1⁄4 tsp red pepper flakes
Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until sugar dissolves. Let sit for 10 minutes for flavors to blend before using. Keeps refrigerated in airtight container for up to 4 weeks.
Copycat PF Chang’s Sweet and Sour Sauce
- 1 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup vinegar
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- 1⁄4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp water plus 1 tsp cornstarch
In a saucepan, combine sugar, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Mix water and cornstarch, then stir into sauce to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in sesame oil. Let cool before using. Store refrigerated.
Copycat PF Chang’s Spicy Garlic Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 1-2 tsp chili garlic paste or sriracha
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until sugar dissolves. Let sit at least 15 minutes for flavors to blend. Store refrigerated in airtight container. Shake before using.
Making your own versions of PF Chang’s sauces is a fun cooking project. Adjust the ingredients to your taste to create your perfect sweet, tangy and spicy sauce blend.
Where to Buy PF Chang’s Sauces
Don’t want to make the sauces from scratch? PF Chang’s sells their signature sauce trio on their website and through select grocery stores. Here are some places you can buy PF Chang’s sauces:
- PF Chang’s Online Store: Order sauces directly from their website.
- Amazon: Chili Sauce, Sweet & Sour Sauce and Spicy Garlic Sauce available on Amazon.com.
- Walmart: Some locations carry PF Chang’s Sauces in the Asian foods section.
- Albertson’s: Select stores sell the sauces on shelves or online.
- Vons/Safeway: PF Chang’s sauces can be found in the Asian foods sections of some stores.
The sauces tend to retail between $3.50-$5.00 per 8-10 oz bottle. Be sure to check expiration dates for best flavor and quality. The sauces also make great gifts for PF Chang’s fans!
Conclusion
PF Chang’s signature sauces – the Chile Sauce, Sweet and Sour Sauce and Spicy Garlic Sauce – are a huge part of what keeps customers coming back again and again. These versatile sauces add flavor and excitement to all of PF Chang’s menu items. With a balance of sweet, sour and spicy flavors, the sauces complement PF Chang’s chicken, beef, shrimp and vegetable dishes perfectly. Now you can bring the flavors of PF Chang’s home with you by purchasing these one-of-a-kind sauces at the restaurant, online or at select grocery stores. Or get creative and whip up homemade copycat recipes. However you obtain them, PF Chang’s signature sauces are sure to become staple condiments in your refrigerator!