Best 10 Tempura Batter Dipping Sauce Recipes

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Tempura, a quintessential Japanese dish, tantalizes taste buds with its crispy, light batter enveloping an array of succulent seafood, vegetables, and even fruits. While mastering the art of tempura requires practice, this guide provides a comprehensive approach, encompassing both the batter and dipping sauce recipes.

For the batter, three variations are presented: a classic version, a gluten-free alternative using rice flour, and a beer-based batter that imparts a delightful, airy texture. Each recipe is meticulously detailed, ensuring successful preparation.

The dipping sauce recipes offer a range of flavors to complement the tempura. A traditional tentsuyu sauce, made with a harmonious blend of dashi, mirin, and soy sauce, is a must-try. For those seeking a spicy kick, a zesty ponzu sauce, featuring citrusy notes and a hint of heat, is sure to satisfy. Last but not least, a creamy avocado sauce, boasting a rich, velvety texture and subtle avocado flavor, adds a touch of innovation to the classic tempura experience.

Whether you're a seasoned cook or embarking on your culinary journey, this guide to tempura batter and dipping sauces will empower you to create authentic and delectable tempura dishes at home.

Let's cook with our recipes!

SOFT SHELL CRAB WITH TEMPURA BATTER AND DIPPING SAUCES



Soft Shell Crab with Tempura Batter and Dipping Sauces image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Number Of Ingredients 19

corn or peanut oil, for frying
soft-shell crabs
3/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup seltzer water, ice cold
Salt and cayenne pepper, to taste
2 1/2 cups Balsamic vinegar
1 cup Port wine
1 onion, diced
3 cups red pepper juice
1/4 cup honey
1 cup Port wine
Salt, to taste
1/4 teaspoon arrowroot
1/4 cup Wasabi powder
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup creme fraiche
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt, to taste

Steps:

  • For Tempura Batter: Whisk together ingredients. Can be used for up to 1 hour. Keep cold!
  • For Crabs: Heat 1/4-inch of corn or peanut oil in a heavy skillet until very hot but not smoking. Fry the crabs in batches for about 2 minutes on the first side, then turn and fry for another minute. The crust should be golden. Be prepared the crabs will split when you fry them; a splatter screen will come in handy.
  • Drain on paper towels and serve with dipping sauces.
  • For Balsamic Syrup: Put all ingredients together and reduce over medium heat, down to 1/4 of its liquid. Strain and discard onion.
  • For Red Pepper Syrup: Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Reduce down to 3/4 of a cup. Thicken with the arrowroot.
  • For Wasabi Cream: Dissolve Wasabi in water. Whisk in creme fraiche and lemon juice. Season with salt.

TEMPURA



Tempura image

Tempura is a popular Japanese deep-fried dish of seafood and vegetables encased in a light yet crispy batter. Learn how to make perfect tempura at home!

Provided by Namiko Chen

Categories     Main Course

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 large egg (50 g w/o shell) ((keep it cold))
200 ml iced water ((keep it cold))
1 cup all-purpose flour (plain flour) ((keep it cold))
¾ cup dashi (Japanese soup stock; click to learn more) ((or ¾ cup water + 1 tsp dashi powder))
3 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp mirin
2 tsp sugar
4 shrimp ((peeled with the tails left on, and deveined; leave on the shell section nearest the tail))
1 Japanese or Chinese eggplant
2 king oyster mushrooms (eringi)
2 shiso leaves (perilla/ooba)
4 slices lotus root (renkon)
4 slices Japanese sweet potato (satsumaimo)
4 slices kabocha
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour (plain flour) ((for dusting))
neutral-flavored oil (vegetable, rice bran, canola, etc.)
2 inches daikon radish ((grated and lightly squeezed to drain))

Steps:

  • Combine the dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar in a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. Then, lower the heat and let it simmer until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • Follow these instructions to straighten the shrimp, so it looks gorgeous. Pat the shrimp dry and make sure the moisture is completely removed from the shrimp.
  • Cut all the vegetables (except the eggplant) ¼-inch thick. For the eggplant, cut off and discard the stem and calyx, then cut it in half lengthwise. With the cut side flat on the cutting board, cut the eggplant lengthwise into very thin slices (about ⅛ inch or 3 mm), being careful to leave the bottom tip intact by 1 inch (2.5 cm) so the slices stay connected. Then, gently press down on the slices to fan them out. Repeat with the other eggplant half.
  • In a medium-sized pot, heat 1½ inches to 2 inches (3-5 cm) of the oil to 350°F (180°C).
  • While the oil is heating up, start preparing the tempura batter. Add the egg and the iced water into a 2-cup measuring cup (or any bowl). Whisk the egg mixture vigorously and discard the foam on the surface.
  • Sift the flour into a large bowl. Slowly pour the egg mixture into the flour. Mix the batter, but do not overmix; it's okay to leave some lumps in the batter. Keep the batter cold at all times (store it in the refrigerator if needed). Make the batter right before deep-frying to avoid activating the wheat gluten.
  • Check the oil temperature with a thermometer to make sure the oil is 350°F (180°C). You can also use wooden chopsticks to check; when you dip your chopsticks in the oil and see small bubbles forming, it's ready for deep-frying. Please note that sweet potatoes and kabocha require a lower cooking temperature (320ºF/160℃). If you want to read more deep-frying tips, please read this post.
  • Deep-fry starting with the cleaner and less astringent ingredients. For example, the cooking order would be shiso first, followed by the mushrooms, eggplant, shrimp, sweet potatoes, and kabocha. Make sure your ingredients are dry before dipping them in the batter; if they're wet, dry them with a paper towel first. While the tempura is frying, the moisture from the ingredients will evaporate and the tempura will become crispy. However, if the ingredients have extra moisture, the tempura will become soggy after deep-frying.
  • When the oil reaches the right temperature, dip one piece of vegetable or shrimp in the batter, let the excess drip off for a second or two, and very gently place it into the hot oil. Continue dipping and adding one piece at a time. For the shrimp, sprinkle some flour or potato starch (or cornstarch) over it before dipping to help the tempura batter adhere. For the shiso leaves, sprinkle a bit of sifted flour on the back of the leaf, dip only the back of the leaf into the batter, and deep-fry for 15 seconds. The flour acts as a glue and the batter tends to stay on the ingredients better.
  • Deep-fry the ingredients until golden brown. Do not crowd the pot because the oil temperature will drop quickly. Remember, your ingredients should take up no more than about half of the oil surface area at any one time. Here's the rough cooking time for each of the ingredients: Shiso (350ºF/180ºC, 20-30 seconds), mushrooms (350ºF/180ºC, 1 min), eggplant (350ºF/180ºC, 1 min), shrimp (350ºF/180ºC, 2 minutes), sweet potatoes (320ºF/160℃, 3 mins), and kabocha (320ºF/160℃, 2-3 mins). Note that sweet potatoes and kabocha require a lower cooking temperature than the rest of the tempura ingredients.
  • Transfer the tempura to a wire rack or a plate lined with a paper towel to drain the excess oil.
  • Between batches, clean the oil by scooping up the crumbs (called tenkasu), which will burn and turn the oil darker if left in the pot.
  • Grate the daikon and squeeze the liquid out. Prepare 3-4 Tbsp of warm tentsuyu in individual small bowls and serve the grated daikon on the side.
  • Put 1 Tbsp of the grated daikon in the sauce and dip the tempura in the sauce to enjoy.
  • You can keep any leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and in the freezer for 2 weeks. Reheat the tempura at 350ºF (180ºC) in the oven until warm and crisp.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 308 kcal, Carbohydrate 43 g, Protein 12 g, Fat 10 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 123 mg, Sodium 473 mg, Fiber 7 g, Sugar 8 g, ServingSize 1 serving

TEMPURA



Tempura image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Categories     appetizer

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 egg yolk
1 cup ice water
1 cup rice flour
1/2 cup mirin or sake
1/2 cup Tamari soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup grated daikon radish
1 teaspoon ginger, grated
Vegetable oil, for frying
1 tablespoons sesame oil, for flavoring frying oil
1 cup flour, for dusting
1/2 pound large shrimp, cleaned, tails on
1/2 pound scallops
1 cup broccoli florets
1 sweet potato, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick
2 carrots, peeled and sliced diagonally in strips
4 ounces Chinese green beans, ends trimmed
4 ounces mushrooms
5 stalks asparagus, ends trimmed
1 red bell pepper, cut in strips
2 Japanese eggplants, halved and cut into 1/4-inch slices

Steps:

  • In a mixing bowl, lightly beat egg yolk and pour in ice water, slightly mix. Add the flour all at once, stroke a few times with a fork just until ingredients are loosely combined. The batter should be somewhat lumpy.
  • 4 servings
  • In a small saucepan over low-medium heat, combine mirin, soy sauce and sugar. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until sugar dissolves. Transfer to a bowl, add grated radish and ginger just before serving.
  • Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 375 degrees F in a wok or deep-fryer. Flavor with sesame oil. Dry the vegetables well. Dust shrimp and vegetables in flour to soak up remaining moisture, shake off excess. Dip the shrimp and vegetables into the batter one by one. Drop 6 pieces at a time in hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pan. Fry until golden brown, turning once, about 3 minutes. To keep the oil clean, skim the small bits of batter that float in the oil between batches. Remove the fried pieces from the oil and drain on a paper towel for a few seconds. Serve with dipping sauce.

VEGETABLE TEMPURA WITH SOY & DIPPING SAUCE



Vegetable tempura with soy & dipping sauce image

These crisp Japanese-style treats are great for nibbles or a veggie main course.

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Dinner, Snack, Starter, Vegetable

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 7

100g (approx) each of a mix of firm vegetables, cut into bite-size pieces, such as aubergine, broccoli, courgette, mushrooms, red pepper and sweet potatoes
tempura batter (see below)
groundnut or sunflower oil, for deep frying
3 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp dry sherry
1 tbsp sugar
1 lemon, zest only

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 150C/fan 130C/gas 2. Mix together the sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Make the batter (see right). Cover a baking tray with sheets of kitchen paper. Start to heat a deep-fat frying pan or large wok a third full of oil and have the frying basket, or slotted spoon to hand
  • When the oil reaches 190C dip some of the prepared veg briefly into the batter, shake off any excess, then lower straight into the hot oil. Don't crowd the frying basket. Fry for about 2 mins until light golden and crisp, then drain on kitchen paper.
  • Repeat with the remaining vegetables in batches, dipping into the batter just before you fry them and remember to let the oil heat back up to temperature between each batch. Keep the tempura warm in the oven, leaving the door slightly ajar so that they stay crisp. They are best served immediately on a warm plate with the sauce alongside for dipping.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 471 calories, Fat 35 grams fat, SaturatedFat 6 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 33 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 4 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 5 grams protein, Sodium 2.08 milligram of sodium

TASTY SHRIMP TEMPURA AND SAKE DIPPING SAUCE



Tasty Shrimp Tempura and Sake Dipping Sauce image

Delicious tempura shrimp made just like it is at our favorite restaurant. The dipping sauce is a wonderful complement to the mild taste of the shrimp.

Provided by Marcy McClure Mock

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Seafood     Shrimp

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 shallots, minced
1 cup soy sauce
¼ cup sake
1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon diced ginger root
1 cup rice flour
1 cup cold seltzer water
1 egg yolk
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
½ cup rice flour
2 cups vegetable oil for frying

Steps:

  • Mix shallots, soy sauce, sake, hot pepper sauce, cilantro, and ginger together in a bowl; let sit, about 2 hours.
  • Mix 1 cup rice flour, seltzer water, and egg yolk together in a bowl.
  • Split shrimp down the center, cutting almost but not completely through, and open flat. Pat with paper towel to dry; dust with 1/2 cup rice flour. Dip shrimp in batter until thoroughly covered.
  • Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Cook shrimp in small batches in oil until golden brown, about 7 minutes. Remove shrimp from oil and place on paper towel to absorb excess oil. Serves dipping sauce alongside the shrimp.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 488.8 calories, Carbohydrate 57.8 g, Cholesterol 223.8 mg, Fat 14 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 27.5 g, SaturatedFat 2.3 g, Sodium 3814 mg, Sugar 2.8 g

ULTIMATE TEMPURA BATTER & TENTSUYU DIPPING SAUCE



Ultimate Tempura Batter & Tentsuyu Dipping Sauce image

I got this recipe out of an authentic Japanese Cuisine book, I tried it because it was simple and seemed legit and it was WONDERFUL! My whole, non-cultural family loved it, even my brother who hardly eats anything (besides mac & cheese and McDonald's) said it was awesome! EDIT: Site editors added complementary sauce recipe on 10/4/21.

Provided by Esuka

Categories     Vegetable

Time 35m

Yield 25-35 vegetable pieces

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 egg yolks
1 1/2 cups ice water
1 3/4 cups flour, sifted
3 tablespoons dashi
1 tablespoon mirin
1 tablespoon soy sauce

Steps:

  • In a large bowl place the egg yolks.
  • Add iced water gradually, stirring (preferably with hashi(chopsticks)) and blending well.
  • Add flour all at once, stir BRIEFLY; that is well enough to coat but leave the lumps and bumps!
  • To fry vegetables heat a large frying pan with a half-inch oil (or more if necessary) and heat on high.
  • Coat selected large vegetables in batter and fry for a minute or two on each side.
  • To make the tentsuyu sauce, mix all three ingredients and serve in small dipping bowls.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 36.5, Fat 0.4, SaturatedFat 0.1, Cholesterol 13.3, Sodium 45.1, Carbohydrate 6.8, Fiber 0.2, Sugar 0.1, Protein 1.2

TEMPURA BATTER & DIPPING SAUCE



Tempura Batter & Dipping Sauce image

Dedicated to member Areatha who requested a tempura recipe. : ) This batter is terrific for seafood, veggies, or tofu. There are several good recipes for tempura, however, I found this one to be the one we like the most. I hope you like it too. Included is a dipping sauce to enhance the experience. I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Provided by Suzy MacFarland

Categories     Seafood

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 c all purpose flour or rice flour
1/4 c corn starch
soda water or seltzer, or beer
coconut oil (solid type) for frying
.
sauce:
1/4 c tamari or soy sauce
few drops of sesame oil
a little sake or water
1/4 tsp scallion, green part only chopped
1/4 tsp sugar (optional)
dash(es) cayenne or white pepper (optional)

Steps:

  • 1. Mix dry ingredients well. Add very cold seltzer or beer until desired thickness is acheived. Mix in a little at a time. Mix gently to retain carbonation. Mixture should be used right away while the mixture has the most carbonation. Note: Add a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and buttermilk instead of beer or seltzer for a more bread like batter. Let sit a couple of minutes until bubbly Use right away while still bubbly for a crispier result.
  • 2. Make sure the oil for frying is very hot or the food will soak up too much oil and be greasy and soggy. The bits of food should be small and will float to the top when done. They should be golden brown. The more done they are the longer they will stay crispy. Fry in small batches to retain the heat in the oil. Drain on paper towels serve on a plain or fancy paper doily. Serve immediately. Note: Make the batter in small batches so when the batter goes flat a new one can be made and more seltzer or beer can be added. I buy the small bottles of seltzer instead of the larger bottles. Bigger bottles lose their carbonation after awhile. For Gluten Free, try garbanzo (chickpea) flour.
  • 3. Here is a traditional dipping sauce: Tamari (wheat free) or soy sauce (wheat and soy) A few drops of sesame oil A little water or sake to dilute 1/4 teaspoon of sugar (optional) Dash of cayenne or white pepper (optional) 1/2 teaspoon chopped scallion (green tops only) Mix well. Note: Use very little sake as it will make the sauce a slightly bitter. Add a couple of drops of lemon or orange juice for shrimp tempura. I promised this recipe to member Areatha and dedicate it to her! I hope all of you enjoy it~!

DIPPING SAUCE FOR TEMPURA VEGETABLES



Dipping Sauce for Tempura Vegetables image

This dipping sauce hits so many flavor notes-salty, sweet, sour, umami. It's the perfect accompaniment to termpura vegetables.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Quick & Easy Recipes

Yield Makes 1/2 cup

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 one-ounce piece ginger root
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce
2 tablespoons mirin
1 tablespoon thinly sliced scallion
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons rice-wine vinegar

Steps:

  • Using a ginger grater or the fine side of a box grater, grate ginger root. Fold a 12-inch square of cheesecloth into quarters. Place the grated ginger in corner of cheesecloth. Working over a medium bowl, tightly wring the ginger in order to extract the juice. Discard the cheesecloth and the remaining root.
  • Add the soy sauce, fish sauce, 3 tablespoons water, mirin, scallion, lemon juice, and vinegar to the ginger juice. Whisk to combine. Dipping sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 week.

TEMPURA DIPPING SAUCE



Tempura Dipping Sauce image

The traditional Japanese dipping sauce for shrimp or vegetable tempura. This is the full-flavored version - unlike the thinner, watery, less robust sauce being served in some restaurants. Serve in small bowls at each setting. Optionally, provide grated fresh ginger and grated daikon to mix into sauce.

Provided by CRIMSON667

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes

Time 5m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 cup water
1 tablespoon dashi granules
¼ cup mirin (Japanese sweet wine)
2 tablespoons soy sauce

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil. Stir in dashi, and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in mirin and soy sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 37.9 calories, Carbohydrate 5.3 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 0.6 g, Sodium 452.8 mg, Sugar 4.8 g

TEMPURA-FRIED GREEN BEANS WITH MUSTARD DIPPING SAUCE



Tempura-Fried Green Beans With Mustard Dipping Sauce image

The recipe for these irresistible green beans came to The Times from Jimmy Bradley, the chef and owner of the Red Cat in Manhattan. He fries green beans in a tempura batter, then serves them - hot, crunchy, with plenty of salt - aside a sweet-and-spicy mustard sauce. You'll find them on the bar, eaten as meals in themselves, and at most tables running back through the room as appetizers or side dishes. They are Buffalo chicken wings for people with good art on the wall and a capacity for avoiding, as A.J. Liebling wrote, the fatal trap of abstinence. You simply can't eat just one.

Provided by Sam Sifton

Categories     easy, quick, one pot, appetizer

Time 25m

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 egg whites
3 cups flour
2 3/4 cups club soda
About 6 cups canola oil, for frying
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons light soy sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1 pound green beans, trimmed
Kosher salt

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form. Whisk in the flour and club soda. Place the batter in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  • Pour the oil into a large pot so that it is at least a few inches deep. Heat to 350 degrees over a medium-high flame.
  • Meanwhile, combine the mustard, honey and soy and hot sauces in a small saucepan and set over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warm and thick, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
  • Dip the trimmed beans into the batter, letting the excess run off. (A slotted spoon or spider is useful here.) Carefully lower them into the hot oil in small batches, so that they do not stick together. Fry until the batter is golden brown and the beans are bright green, about 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper-lined plate. Season with salt. Repeat until the beans are finished. Serve with a bowl of dipping sauce.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 1003, UnsaturatedFat 60 grams, Carbohydrate 89 grams, Fat 66 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 15 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 1140 milligrams, Sugar 13 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

  • For a crispy tempura batter, use ice-cold water and make sure the batter is light and airy. Over-mixing the batter will make it tough.
  • To prevent the tempura from becoming oily, fry it in hot oil (350°F) and don't overcrowd the pan.
  • Serve the tempura immediately with the dipping sauce. The dipping sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
  • Tempura can be made with a variety of vegetables, seafood, and meats. Some popular tempura ingredients include shrimp, fish, squid, vegetables, and tofu.
  • If you don't have a deep fryer, you can also fry the tempura in a large pot or Dutch oven filled with oil.

Conclusion:

Tempura is a delicious and easy-to-make Japanese dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or snack. With its crispy batter and flavorful dipping sauce, tempura is sure to be a hit with everyone at your table. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give tempura a try!

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