You reach for a jar that isn't there. The recipe depends on the sweet-smoky glaze hoisin brings-thick, garlicky, with a hint of five-spice warmth-but the pantry shelf is bare.
The closest match mimics that balance of sweet, savory, and umami depth. Some swaps lean sweeter, others saltier, and a few skip the spice altogether.
We tested each option to see what changes and what stays the same. Use ratio and flavor notes to guide your choice.
| # | Substitute | Best For | Ratio | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soy Sauce Mix | 🍳 Cooking | 1 tablespoon soy + ½ teaspoon sugar + pinch garlic per 1 tbsp | Less thick, more salty |
| 2 | Plum Sauce | 🍳 Cooking | 1:1 | Fruitier and sweeter |
| 3 | Black Bean Sauce | 🍳 Cooking | 1 tablespoon per 1 tbsp | Earthier, more pungent |
| 4 | Sweet Chili | 🍳 Cooking | 1:1 | Spicier and sweeter |
| 5 | Miso Paste Mix | 🍳 Cooking | 1 tablespoon miso + 1 teaspoon honey + 1 teaspoon soy per 1 tbsp | Thicker, fermented tang |
| 6 | Asian BBQ Sauce | 🍳 Cooking | ¾ tablespoon per 1 tbsp | Sweeter, smokier |
| 7 | Teriyaki Sauce | 🍳 Cooking | 1:1 | Sweeter, less intense |
Soy Sauce Mix and Miso Paste Mix best replicate hoisin's balance of sweet, savory, and umami flavors. Focus on flavor first, then texture. Adjust sweetness or saltiness as needed for a closer match. Stir well to blend ingredients evenly before use.
7 Quick Hoisin Sauce Substitutes That Work
Some swaps need a quick stir to balance sweetness and salt. Others work straight from the jar with only a small shift in flavor.
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1 - Soy Sauce Mix
Mix soy sauce with sugar and a pinch of garlic powder to get a salty-sweet base that works in stir-fries and marinades. The texture runs thinner, so it won't coat proteins the way hoisin does.
Use 1 tablespoon soy sauce, ½ teaspoon sugar, and a pinch of garlic powder per 1 tablespoon of hoisin. If you're short on soy sauce as well, instead of Soy Sauce try these for swaps that match the salt level.
Here's what to know:
- Stir the sugar until it dissolves before adding to hot pans
- Add a drop of sesame oil to bring back some of the nutty depth
*Skip if::* you need thick glaze that clings to ribs or brushed-on barbecue.
Soy Sauce Mix
Works for: quick stir-fries, thin marinades, noodle bowls
Skip if: you need thick glaze or sweet-smoky depth
Plum Sauce
Works for: dipping sauces, glazing chicken, spring rolls
Skip if: you want savory punch or smoky undertones
2 - Plum Sauce
Plum sauce brings sweetness and fruit-forward tang that works well for dipping and glazing. The flavor leans fruitier and less savory, so it shines in lighter dishes where you want brightness instead of depth.
Use a 1:1 swap. If you're also short on plum sauce, simple Plum Sauce substitutes list covers fruity options.
*Skip if::* you need smoky or five-spice notes for bolder Asian-style braises.
3 - Black Bean Sauce
This fermented paste delivers earthy, pungent flavor that mirrors hoisin's umami backbone. It works best in savory stir-fries and braises where you want saltier, less sweet results.
- Use 1 tablespoon per 1 tablespoon of hoisin
- Skip added sugar; the sauce is already salty
- Stir in a teaspoon of honey if the dish tastes too sharp
The texture stays thick enough to coat proteins. If you're missing black bean sauce too, Black Bean Sauce substitutes for stews offers fermented picks that hold body.
*Skip if::* you need sweetness for glazed pork or dipping sauces.
4 - Sweet Chili
Sweet chili sauce adds heat and sweetness in equal measure. The spice level varies by brand, so start with less and taste before adding more.
- Use a 1:1 swap
- Cut back slightly if the sauce reads very spicy
- Pair with soy sauce to offset the sweetness
- Works best brushed on grilled meats or tossed with noodles
If you're out of sweet chili as well, simple Sweet Chili Sauce substitutes list covers heat-forward options.
*Skip if::* you're cooking for guests who avoid spice.
| Use | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stir-fries | 1:1 | Add soy sauce for salt balance |
| Glazing | 1:1 | Brush during last 3 minutes of cooking |
| Dipping | 1:1 | Mix with lime juice to cut sweetness |
5 - Miso Paste Mix
Miso paste mixed with honey and soy sauce creates a thick, fermented base that mimics hoisin's complexity. The paste brings deep umami and a creamy texture that works in marinades and sauces.
Use 1 tablespoon miso, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 teaspoon soy sauce per 1 tablespoon of hoisin. Whisk until smooth before adding to hot dishes.
Missing miso paste too? Instead of Miso Paste try these for fermented swaps.
*Skip if::* you want a smoother, less grainy texture or need to avoid strong fermented flavors.
6 - Asian BBQ Sauce
Asian-style barbecue sauce leans sweeter and smokier than hoisin, with less garlic and no five-spice. It works well for grilling and glazing meats where caramelized sweetness matters more than complex spice.
- Use about ¾ tablespoon per 1 tablespoon of hoisin
- Brush on during the last few minutes to avoid burning
- Add a pinch of garlic powder to get closer to hoisin's profile
Out of Asian BBQ sauce as well? Instead of Bbq Sauce try these for smoky glazing options.
*Skip if::* you need pronounced anise or five-spice flavor for traditional Chinese dishes.
7 - Teriyaki Sauce
Teriyaki sauce delivers sweetness and soy-based salt without the garlic punch or five-spice warmth. It works best in stir-fries and as a glaze where you want milder, cleaner flavor.
Use a 1:1 swap. The sauce stays thinner, so it won't cling as well to proteins unless you reduce it slightly over medium heat.
What to expect:
- Sweeter and less complex than hoisin
- Works well tossed with vegetables or noodles
- Add minced garlic or ginger to boost depth
If you're also out of teriyaki, simple Teriyaki Sauce substitutes list covers soy-based glazes.
*Skip if::* you need strong garlic or five-spice notes for authentic Chinese recipes.
Making Hoisin Sauce Substitutes Work
The right substitute depends on what you're making and how much sweetness or savory depth you need. For stir-fries and marinades, soy sauce mix or teriyaki sauce work without changing the recipe.
For dipping or glazing, plum sauce or sweet chili deliver enough body and sweetness to hold up.
- Closest match - Black bean sauce for savory dishes
- Easiest grab - Teriyaki sauce, no mixing required
- Bold alternative - Miso paste mix for fermented depth
Frequently Asked Questions
Oyster sauce works in a pinch but runs saltier and less sweet. Add a teaspoon of honey or sugar per tablespoon to balance the flavor and bring back some of the sweetness hoisin provides.
No. Hoisin carries stronger garlic and five-spice notes, while teriyaki leans sweeter with a cleaner soy flavor. Use teriyaki when you want milder sweetness, but expect less complexity.
Soy sauce mixed with sugar and garlic powder works best for stir-fries. It coats vegetables and proteins without clumping and delivers the salty-sweet balance you need.
Yes. Mix 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and a pinch of five-spice powder. Whisk until smooth and store in the fridge for up to a week.
Yes. Plum sauce tastes fruitier and sweeter with less savory depth. Use it for dipping or glazing when you want brightness, but add soy sauce if the dish needs more salt.
7 Best Substitutes for Hoisin Sauce
Ingredients
Method
- Choose the substitute based on your cooking need: soy sauce mix or teriyaki for stir-fries and marinades, plum sauce or sweet chili for dipping or glazing, black bean sauce for savory depth.
- For soy sauce mix, dissolve sugar in soy sauce, add garlic powder and a drop of sesame oil for nutty depth before using in stir-fries or marinades.
- Use plum sauce and sweet chili sauce straight from the jar in equal amounts as hoisin, adjusting sweet chili spice to taste and pairing with soy sauce if needed.
- Apply black bean sauce directly in equal measure; add honey to soften sharpness if necessary for balanced flavor.
- Whisk miso paste with honey and soy sauce until smooth before adding to hot dishes to avoid lumps and achieve thick, fermented tang.
- Use about three-quarters the amount of Asian BBQ sauce compared to hoisin; brush onto meat near end of cooking and add garlic powder to enhance flavor.
- Use teriyaki sauce in equal parts, reducing slightly over medium heat to thicken for better clinging and add garlic or ginger to boost flavor depth.
- Taste-test the final preparation adjusting seasoning or thickness by thickening watery substitutes like soy sauce mix with cornstarch slurry if needed.
