Italian-Style XO Sauce
March 11, 2026
Intensely sweet, salty and smoky, XO sauce packs some serious umami flavour. Originating in Hong Kong, this Italian take uses Mediterranean-inspired ingredients like anchovy paste, garlic paste and prosciutto ham to pack a savoury punch in everything from pasta to meat dishes.
Intensely sweet, salty and smoky, XO sauce packs some serious umami flavour. Originating in Hong Kong, this Italian take uses Mediterranean-inspired ingredients like anchovy paste, garlic paste and prosciutto ham to pack a savoury punch in everything from pasta to meat dishes.
Key products
Instructions
Instructions
- Heat the oil in large pan on medium heat, add prosciutto and cook for 2 minutes, or just until crispy. Remove prosciutto from oil using slotted spoon. Drain on kitchen paper-lined plate.
- Reduce heat to low and add onions to pan. Cook for 2 minutes, or until onions begin to soften. Add garlic, anchovy paste and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, Oregano, Crushed Chillies and Rosemary. Cook for 30 seconds.
- Return cooked prosciutto to the pan and cook for a further 1 minute. Remove mixture from pan. Allow to cool to room temperature before using. Store any left overs in an airtight container in refrigerator.
- Cooking Tip Can't find anchovy paste? Mash up 6 anchovy fillets and use in place of the paste.
