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7 Best Substitutes for Hoisin Sauce

7 Best Substitutes for Hoisin Sauce

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This guide details seven effective substitutes for hoisin sauce, with clear ratio instructions and flavor notes for each. Choose replacements based on desired sweetness, saltiness, and texture for cooking, glazing, or dipping.
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Prep Time 9 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Cooking, Sauces
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce Mix with ½ teaspoon sugar and a pinch of garlic powder per 1 tablespoon hoisin
  • 1 tablespoon Sugar Mix into soy sauce with a pinch of garlic powder per 1 tablespoon hoisin
  • Garlic Powder Pinch added to soy sauce and sugar per 1 tablespoon hoisin
  • Plum Sauce Use in a 1:1 ratio as a substitute for hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Black Bean Sauce Use 1 tablespoon per 1 tablespoon hoisin; no added sugar; optionally add a teaspoon honey if too sharp
  • Honey Add 1 teaspoon to black bean sauce substitute if dish tastes too sharp
  • Sweet Chili Sauce Use in a 1:1 ratio; adjust for spice level and add soy sauce as needed
  • 1 tablespoon Miso Paste Mix with 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon soy sauce per 1 tablespoon hoisin
  • 1 teaspoon Honey Mix with miso paste and soy sauce per 1 tablespoon hoisin
  • 1 teaspoon Soy Sauce Mix with miso paste and honey per 1 tablespoon hoisin
  • 0.75 tablespoon Asian BBQ Sauce Use ¾ tablespoon per 1 tablespoon hoisin; add garlic powder to taste
  • Garlic Powder Add a pinch to Asian BBQ sauce to better mimic hoisin flavor
  • Teriyaki Sauce Use at a 1:1 ratio; reduce slightly over medium heat for more thickness

Method
 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Apply black bean sauce directly in equal measure; add honey to soften sharpness if necessary for balanced flavor.
  5. Whisk miso paste with honey and soy sauce until smooth before adding to hot dishes to avoid lumps and achieve thick, fermented tang.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Taste-test the final preparation adjusting seasoning or thickness by thickening watery substitutes like soy sauce mix with cornstarch slurry if needed.

Notes

Thin soy sauce mix must be stirred in to avoid a watery texture when substituting hoisin sauce.

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