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7 Best Substitutes for Doenjang in Asian Sauces & Stews

7 Best Substitutes for Doenjang

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When you're out of doenjang, choose your substitute based on the dish and pantry. Miso offers the closest flavor for soups and stews, while tianmianjiang adds sweetness to stir-fries. Adjust salt and texture as needed for best results.
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Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 14 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Substitution Guide
Cuisine: Korean-Inspired
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon Miso Paste Use 1:1 ratio with doenjang; add salt or soy sauce if mild.
  • 1 tablespoon Tianmianjiang Use 1:1 ratio; thin with water if too thick; reduce sugar in recipe.
  • Soy Sauce Mix Mix 1 tablespoon soy sauce with 1 teaspoon mashed fermented black beans per 1 tablespoon doenjang.
  • Gochujang Miso Mix 1 tablespoon gochujang with ½ tablespoon miso per 1 tablespoon doenjang; adjust heat to taste.
  • 1 teaspoon Anchovy Paste Use 1 teaspoon per 1 tablespoon doenjang; add soy sauce or salt cautiously due to high saltiness.
  • 1 tablespoon Chickpea Paste Use 1:1 ratio; add soy sauce or fish sauce to boost saltiness and umami.
  • 1 tablespoon Homemade Soybean Paste Use 1:1 ratio; mash slightly for smoother texture; allows deeper flavor with fermentation.

Method
 

  1. Choose your substitute based on the dish type: miso for soups and stews, tianmianjiang for stir-fries, or soy sauce mix for marinades.
  2. If using tianmianjiang and it is too thick, thin it with a teaspoon of water before applying to the dish.
  3. For soy sauce mix, combine 1 tablespoon soy sauce with 1 teaspoon mashed fermented black beans per tablespoon of doenjang.
  4. When using gochujang miso, mix 1 tablespoon gochujang with ½ tablespoon miso for each tablespoon of doenjang; adjust spice to preference.
  5. Use 1 teaspoon anchovy paste per tablespoon of doenjang and taste before adding additional salt or soy sauce due to its saltiness.
  6. Use equal amounts of chickpea paste as doenjang; add soy sauce or fish sauce to enhance the savory base as needed.
  7. For homemade soybean paste, use 1:1 ratio and mash lightly if smoother texture is desired; requires planning due to fermentation time.
  8. After preparing your substitute, taste the dish and adjust salt or other seasoning gradually to prevent overpowering flavors.

Notes

Thin tianmianjiang before use to prevent a thick, sticky texture in sauces and marinades.

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