Quick and easy homemade hoisin sauce recipe with much better flavor than store-bought. Vegan and ready in just 15 minutes!
🤔 What is hoisin sauce?
Hoisin sauce is a thick, dark Chinese condiment made with fermented soybean paste (or peanut butter), sugar, and spices. It tastes sweet, salty, slightly tangy, and is used in stir-fries, as a dipping sauce, or for glazing meats.
🍚 Ingredient tips and substitutes
Hoisin sauce is traditionally made with fermented soybeans, but this homemade version uses peanut butter instead. Most home cooks don’t have fermented soybean paste sitting in the pantry, and this shortcut is way easier and just as flavorful!
- Smooth peanut butter Acts as a creamy base and mimics the texture and richness of fermented soybeans.
- Rice vinegar Adds acidity; white vinegar works too.
- Chili sauce Adds a gentle spice; use more or less to taste.
- Sesame oil Brings a nutty depth of flavor typical in many Chinese sauces.
- Soy sauce Provides umami and saltiness.
- Garlic
- Sugar You can use white or brown sugar.
- Chinese five-spice powder A mix of star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds that adds warm, sweet, and slightly peppery flavor.
- Cornstarch Helps thicken the sauce.
- Water
🫙 More sauce recipes to try
The best hoisin sauce recipe is perfect if you cook Chinese food regularly! Use it for glazing, tossing noodles, or as a stir-fry base in your favorite Asian dishes. Let me know in the comments if you give it a try! Follow me on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more!
Homemade Hoisin Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- Measuring spoons
- Small bowl for mixing cornstarch with water
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Glass jar or container for storing
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1½ tbsp sugar
- 1½ tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp Chinese five-spice powder
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tbsp chili sauce
- ½ tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Add soy sauce, peanut butter, rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, five-spice powder, garlic, chili sauce, and ¼ cup water to a small saucepan.
- Heat over low, stirring until the sauce is smooth and bubbling gently.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 1 tbsp water to make a slurry.
- Slowly stir the slurry into the sauce and cook for 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and let cool. The sauce will thicken more as it cools.
Notes
- Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and should be considered approximate.
🫙 How to make hoisin sauce
- In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, peanut butter, rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, five-spice powder, minced garlic, chili sauce, and ¼ cup water.
- Bring to a gentle simmer over low heat, whisking constantly until everything is well combined and smooth.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to make a slurry. Pour it into the sauce and continue stirring until thickened to your liking.
- Let the sauce cool completely before storing; it thickens more as it cools.
❓Frequently asked questions
How long does it last? You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Give it a good stir before using, as it may thicken over time.
What’s a substitute for hoisin sauce? A mix of soy sauce, peanut butter, a splash of vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of five-spice powder makes a quick substitute.
