When it comes to key ingredients in Asian dishes, there probably isn’t a more famous one than soy sauce. Even if you’re completely new to cooking, there’s no chance you haven’t heard of it. But we reckon a close second is hoisin sauce. But you’re less likely to have it in your pantry, so we’re also going to help you out with some hoisin sauce substitutes. Missing that little jar isn’t going to stop you enjoying that famously delicious sweet, sticky texture it’s known for.
When it comes to Asian cuisine in general, it’s no wonder they’ve gained global popularity over the years. It’s diverse, uses fresh ingredients and stimulates your taste buds with its wide range of flavors. You’re craving a sweet dish? You’ve got it. Wanting some heat with that? Sure! And a little umami? Asian dishes have got it all! Not only are they extremely tasty, they’re also quite affordable and easy to make.
Obviously, we wouldn’t dare call ourselves the best cooking app out there without offering you some great recipes along the way. So stick around for a chance to learn something new about hoisin sauce substitutes and expand your cooking horizons too. Let’s get started!
What is hoisin sauce?
Hoisin sauce is a rich, sweet and salty sauce, with a slightly spicy kick to it. It’s incredibly fragrant, and when you take a look at the ingredients it has in its arsenal you’ll understand why. The basis of hoisin sauce is made of fermented soybeans. The sweetness is gained by adding sugar or honey. The vinegar gives that famous umami flavor, and the garlic smokes it all up. With some red chili peppers, you get a little bit of heat. If that isn’t the most flavorful combo of ingredients, we don’t know what is!
Even though the word hoisin is connected to the Chinese word for seafood, this thick sauce isn’t typically served with seafood. On the contrary – it’s a famous for being used as a glaze for meat, as well as dipping sauce. Hoisin sauce is believed to have originated in southern China, but when and where exactly – we can’t know for sure. It was probably developed for the purpose of enhancing the flavors of roasted meats and other ingredients used in day-to-day cooking. And since then, hoisin sauce has become a key ingredient not only in Chinese cooking, but in other Asian cuisines. We simply can’t imagine Vietnamese Spring Rolls without their loyal companion – the dipping hoisin sauce. Check out the recipe below. Yum!
Vietnamese Spring Rolls
-
![rice vermicelli noodles]()
5 ounces rice vermicelli noodles -
![shrimp]()
30 shrimp large, more if smaller -
![boston lettuce]()
boston lettuce or red leaf -
![fresh cilantro]()
fresh cilantro optional -
![fresh thai basil]()
fresh thai basil
-
![cucumber]()
cucumber cut into wedges, optional -
![creamy peanut butter]()
0.5 cup creamy peanut butter -
![hoisin sauce]()
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce -
![fish sauce]()
1 splash fish sauce optional -
![garlic clove]()
1 garlic clove peeled and minced -
![granulated sugar]()
1 teaspoon granulated sugar -
![water]()
0.67 cup water -
![peanuts]()
peanuts chopped, for garnish -
![rice paper]()
10 sheets rice paper 8 to 8.5-inch in diameter
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsUp
Telegram
Hoisin Sauce Substitutes – A Complete List
When you’re looking for hoisin sauce substitutes, it’s important to pay attention to the flavor balance. Since this thick sauce combines sweetness, saltiness, tanginess and umami under its wing, it’s not an easy job to find suitable foods it can be replaced with. But we’ve never let you down, friends, and we’re not about to start now. You can use off the shelf condiments or go for homemade hoisin sauce recipes, depending on your needs and preferences.
Here’s a list of foods that we think serve as best hoisin sauce replacements:
1. Gluten-Free Hoisin Sauce
You must be thinking: What is this trickery? Gluten-free hoisin sauce is the exact same thing as hoisin sauce, just gluten-free! You are right, of course. But! In our defense, the gluten-free version of this yummy sauce often gets neglected as a substitute for the original version. And for our gluten-intolerant peeps, it’s a true life-saver.
Asian Chicken Lettuce Cups
-
![chicken breasts]()
3 X 6 oz chicken breasts boneless skinless -
![salt]()
0.5 teaspoon salt -
![pepper]()
4 teaspoon pepper -
![onion]()
1 onion medium, diced -
![zucchini]()
1 zucchini medium, diced
-
![red pepper]()
1 red pepper seeded & diced -
![ginger]()
2 tablespoon ginger minced -
![garlic]()
3 cloves garlic grated -
![ginger root]()
2 inch ginger root piece, grated -
![sesame oil]()
2 teaspoons sesame oil -
![gluten free soy sauce]()
3 tablespoons gluten free soy sauce -
![hoisin sauce]()
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce gluten free -
![rice wine vinegar]()
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar -
![sriracha]()
2 teaspoons sriracha or sambal oelek -
![water chestnuts]()
8 ounce water chestnuts can, diced -
![can bamboo shoots]()
8 ounce can bamboo shoots sliced -
![scallions]()
4 scallions minced -
![iceberg lettuce]()
1 leaves iceberg lettuce head, separated -
![peanuts]()
peanuts chopped, optional garnish
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsUp
Telegram
Can it get better than this recipe? We think not. These adorable Chicken Lettuce Cups have almost a perfect score in our App, meaning they’re super healthy. And not just that! They’re also easy to make and take no more than half an hour of your time. High-protein and gluten-free too!
Vegan Fried Rice with Tofu
-
![extra firm tofu]()
8 ounces extra firm tofu drained and crumbled -
![turmeric]()
0.25 teaspoon turmeric for color – optional -
![toasted sesame oil]()
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil -
![carrots]()
0.5 cup carrots chopped -
![frozen peas]()
0.5 cup frozen peas
-
![clove garlic]()
1 clove garlic minced -
![minced ginger]()
1 teaspoon minced ginger -
![hoisin sauce]()
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce gluten free -
![low sodium gluten free tamari]()
1 tablespoon low sodium gluten free tamari -
![brown rice]()
2 cups brown rice cooked, or white, cooled -
![salt]()
salt -
![pepper]()
pepper -
![green onions]()
2 green onions chopped and green parts reserved for garnish
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsUp
Telegram
And since Asian cuisine has plenty of vegan dishes, it made perfect sense to show you one of our most beloved vegan dishes – the classic Vegan Fried Rice.
2. Plum Sauce instead of Hoisin
When we think about a top notch replacement for hoisin sauce, a jar of plum sauce comes to mind right away. They’re of the same flavor profile, both sweet and tangy. If you want to play around and customize plum sauce to taste even more like hoisin, you can always add a few tablespoons of soy sauce (make sure you adjust to taste) or even worcestershire sauce. If you prefer it more sweet, adding some honey will do the trick.
Here are a couple of recipes using plum sauce.
Stir-fried Eggplant with Plum Sauce
-
![eggplant]()
400 g eggplant large, cut into chunks -
![cooking oil]()
1 tbsp cooking oil -
![Chinese plum sauce]()
1.5 tbsp Chinese plum sauce 苏梅酱 -
![light soy sauce]()
2 tsp light soy sauce -
![shaoxing rice wine]()
1 tsp shaoxing rice wine
-
![water]()
1 tsp water -
![garlic]()
5 clove garlic crushed -
![minced ginger]()
1 tsp minced ginger -
![scallion]()
2 stalk scallion chopped -
![fresh chilli]()
fresh chilli chopped, to taste
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsUp
Telegram
If you’re lacking inspo for your next side-dish, we’ve got you covered. This creamy Stir-Fried Eggplant is truly gorgeous, and we don’t just mean the looks. It can also easily be turned into a full meal deal. Just cook your serving of rice, and that’s it. It’s an easy and simple lunch that comes together in 10 minutes.
Sticky Chicken Drumsticks in Plum Sauce
-
![chicken drumsticks]()
1.2 kg chicken drumsticks large, drumsticks -
![Plum Sauce]()
0.75 cup Fountain Plum Sauce -
![brown sugar]()
0.33 cup brown sugar can reduce to 1/4 cup -
![soy sauce]()
0.25 cup soy sauce all purpose, or light, not dark soy sauce -
![hoisin sauce]()
2 tbsp hoisin sauce
-
![cloves garlic]()
2 cloves garlic minced -
![ginger]()
0.5 tsp ginger minced -
![Chinese Five Spice Powder]()
0.5 tsp Chinese Five Spice Powder -
![sesame seeds]()
sesame seeds -
![scallions]()
scallions Finely chopped
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsUp
Telegram
Though this dish might be considered your cheat-day meal, we say – go for it! We’re all for treating yourself once in a while! The plum sauce works so well with chicken, it’s outrageous. You can either serve these saucy drumsticks on their own, or you can add rice on the side. Whatever you choose to do, it will taste amazing. (And yes, you could use hoisin sauce as a substitute – it works both ways!)
3. Homemade Hoisin Sauce Alternative: Barbecue Sauce
Another great substitute for hoisin sauce is the flavorful smoky barbecue sauce. You can either use a sweeter variety, or add honey or sugar yourself to achieve hoisin’s sweetness. For the umami and tanginess, soy sauce and rice vinegar work wonders. Plus, this particular substitute is easy to make at home. So you basically have homemade hoisin sauce on tap whenever you want it!
Here are some dishes using barbecue sauce, or hoisin. They’re interchangeable, as usual!
Chicken Meatloaf
-
![ground chicken]()
1 pound ground chicken I used 93/7% fat -
![ground chicken sausage]()
1 pound ground chicken sausage we prefer chicken but pork is fine too -
![panko crumbs]()
0.5 cup panko crumbs -
![egg]()
1 egg -
![ginger]()
1 tablespoon ginger fresh grated, or 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
-
![garlic cloves]()
3 garlic cloves chopped -
![soy sauce]()
0.25 cup soy sauce prefer low sodium -
![onion]()
0.5 cup onion chopped, I used the whites of green onions and saved the tops for garnish -
![water chestnuts]()
0.5 cup water chestnuts chopped, can, drained -
![salt]()
0.25 teaspoon salt -
![ground pepper]()
0.25 teaspoon ground pepper -
![barbecue sauce]()
0.33 cup barbecue sauce -
![ketchup]()
0.33 cup ketchup -
![soy sauce]()
1 tablespoon soy sauce -
![fresh ginger]()
1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated, or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger -
![brown sugar]()
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsUp
Telegram
There probably isn’t a more wholesome dish suitable for a family gathering than meatloaf. And when it’s Asian inspired? Even better! Since this dish takes more than an hour to prepare, we recommend giving it a go on the weekends, when you don’t have to rush things and you can enjoy the process. You will most definitely enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Honey BBQ Air Fried Salmon
-
![Salmon fillets]()
2 X 6 oz Salmon fillets -
![Sugar free bbq sauce]()
0.33 cup Sugar free bbq sauce -
![honey]()
2 tsp honey -
![paprika]()
0.25 tsp paprika -
![cumin]()
0.25 tsp cumin
-
![onion powder]()
0.25 tsp onion powder -
![Sea salt]()
Pinch Sea salt or pink Himalayan salt
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsUp
Telegram
Pescatarian friends, we haven’t forgotten about you! This Salmon recipe is one of those that looks and sounds extravagant, but in all realness is simple and easy to prepare. Can you believe this beautiful dish can be on your table in less than 30 minutes? Wow! Serve it up with rice or your grain of choice, and dinner is ready. Honestly, we think hoisin sauce as a substitute for the BBQ makes this…dare we say it…even better? Salmon and asian flavors just go hand in hand.
4. Hoising Sauce Substitute: Teriyaki Sauce
Teriyaki is another well-known sauce often used in Asian cooking, especially in Japanese dishes. Its flavor palette is a close match to hoisin sauce so it makes a good alternative. You can deepen it to match the texture of hoisin even more with a few dollops of peanut butter.
Roasted Teriyaki Veggie Bowl
-
![broccoli]()
300 g broccoli long-stemmed -
![baby pak choi]()
2 baby pak choi quartered -
![red onions]()
2 red onions cut into 3cm wedges -
![red pepper]()
1 red pepper deseeded and sliced -
![carrots]()
4 carrots chopped into wedges
-
![can chickpeas]()
400 g can chickpeas drained -
![sesame oil]()
2 tbsp sesame oil or olive -
![teriyaki sauce]()
4 tbsp teriyaki sauce -
![ginger]()
1 piece ginger large, thumb-size, grated -
![brown rice]()
400 g brown rice cooked -
![spring onions]()
4 spring onions finely sliced -
![toasted black sesame seeds]()
1 tbsp toasted black sesame seeds and white -
![toasted white sesame seeds]()
1 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsUp
Telegram
Craving a delicious veggie bowl? Look no further! This recipe embodies all that we look for in an Asian dish. It’s fresh, flavorful and healthy! Simply a dream come true! You can mix up the vegetables in here, add different colored peppers, cauliflower, fresh chives – the world is your oyster.
Prawn Teriyaki Wrap
-
![soy sauce]()
2 tbsp soy sauce -
![teriyaki sauce]()
2 tbsp teriyaki sauce -
![fish sauce]()
1 tbsp fish sauce -
![honey]()
1 tbsp honey -
![corn starch]()
1 tsp corn starch
-
![clove garlic]()
1 clove garlic -
![ginger]()
10 g ginger -
![water]()
8 tbsp water -
![prawns]()
7 prawns -
![salt]()
0.25 tsp salt -
![pepper]()
0.25 tsp pepper -
![chili flakes]()
0.5 tsp chili flakes -
![sesame oil]()
30 ml sesame oil -
![red bell pepper]()
0.25 red bell pepper -
![carrot]()
0.5 carrot -
![spring onion]()
1 stem spring onion -
![sesame oil]()
3 tbsp sesame oil -
![egg]()
1 egg -
![basmati rice]()
30 g basmati rice -
![tortilla wrap]()
1 tortilla wrap
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsUp
Telegram
In our humble opinion, there isn’t a dish out there that can compete with the convenience of a wrap. No matter the type, wraps are always simple to make, with tons of different vegetables, sauces and legumes. You can pack them up and bring them with you wherever you go. Plus they just feel fancier than a sandwich, right?
5. Hoisin Sauce Substitute: Black Bean Sauce
With a similar fermented soy bean base, black bean sauce is another great substitute for hoisin. To create a perfect match, you will need to add sugar or honey, and perhaps a touch of vinegar.
Pork Stir Fry with Black Bean Sauce
-
![pork butt]()
150 g pork butt or tenderloin, sliced -
![salt]()
0.25 tsp salt -
![cooking wine]()
0.5 tbsp cooking wine -
![light soy sauce]()
1 tbsp light soy sauce -
![water]()
3 tbsp water or chicken stock
-
![white pepper]()
0.25 tsp white pepper -
![cornstarch]()
1 tsp cornstarch -
![sesame oil]()
1 tsp sesame oil -
![cooking oil]()
cooking oil as needed -
![garlic cloves]()
1 garlic cloves minced -
![minced ginger]()
1 tsp minced ginger -
![scallions]()
4 scallions cut into small sections -
![black bean sauce]()
1 black bean sauce or 1 tbsp chopped black beans -
![dark soy sauce]()
1 tsp dark soy sauce -
![fresh red chili peppers]()
3 fresh red chili peppers cut into small sections -
![green chili peppers]()
2 green chili peppers fresh, cut into small sections -
![salt]()
pinch salt small, if needed
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsUp
Telegram
If you’re looking to turn the heat up, give this marvelous dish a try. The meat is so tender and full of flavors, and the chili peppers add a nice pop of color and spiciness. You can also customize this dish by adding some bell pepper strips, or leave as is. No mistake with this one!
Silken Tofu with Black Bean Mushroom Sauce
-
![silken tofu]()
1 lb silken tofu or soft -
![dried shiitake mushrooms]()
4 dried shiitake mushrooms small, soaked overnight then diced -
![oyster mushrooms]()
1.7 oz oyster mushrooms or other mushrooms of choice, roughly chopped or diced -
![neutral oil]()
2 tbsp neutral oil -
![green onions]()
2 green onions chopped, white and green parts separated
-
![minced garlic]()
1 tbsp minced garlic -
![black bean garlic sauce]()
1 tbsp Lee Kum Kee’s black bean garlic sauce I use -
![chili powder]()
0.5 tsp chili powder I used gochugaru -
![sugar]()
1 tbsp sugar -
![soy sauce]()
0.5 tbsp soy sauce or more, adjust to taste -
![rice vinegar]()
0.5 tbsp rice vinegar adjust to taste -
![dark mushroom soy sauce]()
1 tbsp dark mushroom soy sauce optional for colour -
0.5 cup mushroom water from the soaked shiitake or water
-
![chilli oil]()
0.5 tbsp chilli oil optional for heat -
![water]()
1 tbsp water room temp -
![corn starch]()
0.5 tbsp corn starch -
![green onions]()
green onions -
![rice]()
rice Steamed, or cooked noodles
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsUp
Telegram
And another cozy vegan dish is this Silk Tofu in Black Bean Mushroom Sauce. It’s perfect when you want a little something to warm you up. You can serve this wonderful dish with rice, but our preferred choice are noodles. Bon appétit
So, those are some of the best substitute’s for hoisin sauce. The main thing to remember in any alternative to hoisin, homemade or not, is that you want a sweet and sticky vibe with a good dose of umami. It’s not a difficult sauce to replace, so be creative and see how things turn out!
