What is a Substitute For Hoisin Sauce?

Asian cuisine has long had a particular place in our hearts and palates. And we’re always curious in what distinguishes their tastes, whether it’s a bowl of Ramen Noodles or a dish of Kung Pao Chicken. Weve identified the magical creators of these cuisines throughout time, and one of them is hoisin sauce. We may now simply create our favorite Asian cuisine in our own home.

But then, in the midst of a dish, you notice your hoisin sauce bottle is empty. What are you going to do? Throw out the recipe since it will never be completed? Obviously not! You may find useful substitutes for hoisin sauce in your kitchen right now. But first, you need grasp why hoisin sauce has such a sophisticated flavor-infusing potential.

Hoisin Sauce Nutrition Facts

What Is Hoisin Sauce?

Hoisin sauce is a condiment used in Asian cuisine, particularly in Cantonese cuisine. It’s a black, strongly aromatic sauce with umami and sweetness, made with fennel, soybeans, garlic, and red chili pepper. Varieties of hoisin sauce may include five-spice powder, vinegar, and sugar. Its name is taken from the condensed Chinese phrase for seafood sauce, hoisin jeung, despite the fact that the condiment is not commonly eaten with fish and does not include any seafood components.

Some hoisin sauces include rice, wheat, and sweet potato starches, while others contain sesame seeds, preservatives, and coloring additives. However, classic hoisin sauce recipes call for roasted and mashed soybeans. The sauce is famous for its rich consistency, which is reminiscent of American BBQ sauce. That is why many experts recommend imagining a sweet, tangy BBQ sauce blended with soy to better grasp the taste character of hoisin sauce.

Uses of Hoisin Sauce in Recipes

Hoisin sauce is mostly used in Cantonese cooking, although it is also used in many meals from other American areas. It is often used in dips and marinades for meat, fish, and vegetables. Hoisin sauce may also be found in noodle soups and glazes, particularly in Vietnamese cuisine. It’s also often used in stir-fry meals, where it’s combined with rice, noodles, veggies, and sliced pieces of meat, pig, or chicken.

Examples of dishes that use hoisin sauce’s sweet-tangy flavor combination include:

• Chicken in Hoisin sauce
• BBQ pork spare ribs
• Baked pork egg rolls
• Noodles
• Chicken sliders
• Easy pork
• Mostly Mu Shu pork
• Indonesian shredded BBQ chicken
• Soups
• Beef and broccoli bowls
• Sauces
• Duck pancakes
• Baked chicken wings
• Wontons
• Chicken meatballs
• Grilled salmon
• Chicken skewers
• Pork tenderloin
• Asian meatballs
• Asian spring rolls
• King Pao chicken
• Glazes
• Crispy Asian pizza
• String beans
• Stir-fried pork
• Sous vide salmon
• Easy char Siu
• Crab in hoisin sauce
• Chicken and shiitake
• Braised short ribs
• Sirloin Tacos with beet salsa
• Slow cooker chicken
• Chinese BBQ ribs
• Asian salmon burgers
• Smoked duck
• Asian turkey meatloaf
• Braised pork shoulder
• Lo Mein
• Stir-fry vegetables
• Smoky grilled tofu
• Vegetable-stuffed chicken
• Deep-fried chicken

Substitutes for Hoisin Sauce

If you don’t have a bottle of hoisin sauce on hand or can’t run out to get some, there are several good substitutions. It’s also useful if you can’t eat items containing soybeans or want a milder-flavored substitute. Here are some amazing examples of hoisin sauce replacements;

Sauce Teriyaki

Teriyaki sauce has moderate umami notes that are similar to hoisin sauce. However, by adding additional ingredients, you may make it more like the Asian condiment. The primary ingredients, however, are garlic, five-spice powder, and vinegar, which are also contained in popular hoisin sauce variants. Here is what you will require:

• Three tablespoons teriyaki sauce
• Three tablespoons molasses
• Two tablespoons red wine vinegar
• Two teaspoons five-spice powder
• Two cloves, garlic
• Three-quarter cup drained and rinsed kidney beans

In a blender, combine these ingredients to make an outstanding hoisin sauce alternative that can be used in a variety of cuisines.

BBQ-Molasses Mix

Because hoisin sauce is often referred to as Chinese barbecue sauce, it stands to reason that you should replace normal barbecue sauce. The flavors of both condiments are sweet and tangy, but BBQ sauce is thinner, which is where the molasses comes in. Of course, this inclusion may shift the flavor toward the sweeter side, which is why five-spice powder will be included in the mix. A dash of soy sauce adds extra umami to the mix as well as the distinctive soy flavor of true hoisin sauce.

To make it, combine;

• Three-quarter cup BBQ sauce
• Three tablespoons molasses
• One tablespoon soy sauce
• One and a half teaspoons five-spice powder

Don’t be concerned if the mixture seems thicker than typical hoisin sauce. A little amount of water will thin it out nicely and bring it to the desired consistency.

Oyster Sauce

Not everyone has the time or patience to produce alternatives from scratch, and if you are one of them, this is the choice for you. Oyster sauce, which blends soy, sugar, and salt with caramelized oyster juice, is an excellent substitute for hoisin sauce. And, although oyster sauce is more sweet, it will still work in most circumstances.

Use the oyster sauce in stir-fry meals and seafood recipes for a tasty outcome. It is not a vegan choice, but it does work with other diets and at a 1:1 ratio.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use kecapmanis instead of hoisin sauce?

Sweet soy sauce, also known as kecapmanis, is sweeter than hoisin sauce. However, if this will not be a problem in your recipe, you may use it as a substitute. The Indonesian sauce is a flexible ingredient that may be used in place of various Asian sauces with comparable ingredients, such as hoisin, soy, and oyster sauce.

Can I substitute Worcestershire sauce for hoisin sauce?

In a pinch, Worcestershire sauce will suffice, but they are not the same. The major thing they have in common is a combination of sweet and umami tastes. Worcestershire sauce, on the other hand, has a thinner consistency and a fruitier flavor than hoisin sauce.

Can I substitute fish sauce for hoisin sauce?

Yes, fish sauce may be used in place of hoisin sauce. However, although it has a comparable harsh and salty taste, fish sauce is not sweet. So, to compensate for the absence of taste, add a few tablespoons of sugar or honey to the mix.

Conclusion

Hoisin sauce is still one of the most important condiments for producing genuine Asian dishes. When you can’t get your hands on a bottle, knowing the correct replacements to choose may assist. Here are a few remarkable condiments that share its sweet and salty taste profile. And they provide you greater versatility, enabling you to experiment with other flavors in familiar foods. So, please give them a try and remember to enjoy the process.