Servings
Font
Back
5.0 from 42 votes

Hoisin Sauce

Homemade Hoisin sauce is rich, savory, and ready in 10 minutes! Ideal for stir-fries and dipping, it is an effortless way to elevate any meal.

Prep Time
5 mins
Additional Time
5 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 6 (yields about 2/3 cup)
Course: Appetizer , Condiments
Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients

Sauce:
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce light sodium
  • 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter unsweetened
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
  • 1 tablespoon chili sauce
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Miso paste
Slurry:
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add all the sauce ingredients to a small saucepan over medium-high heat and whisk to combine. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat to medium to maintain a simmer.
  2. In a small bowl, combine water and cornstarch until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Whisk it into the sauce and continue simmering until it starts to thicken.
  3. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of boiling water, one tablespoon at a time.
  4. Remove the pan from heat and let it cool. It will thicken more as it cools. Serve it as you prefer - as a dip, for example, or add it to stir-fries.

Notes

  • My first choice for fermented bean paste is miso, a Japanese form of soybean paste. It is mild, sweet, and smooth and comes in three colors depending on the levels of sweetness and saltiness. Chunjang is a Korean bean paste that is chunkier with a strong but sweet and salty, pungent flavor. Doubanjiang is a spicy chili bean paste. Try these and mix them with five-spice powder before making a decision. 
  • Use low-sodium soy sauce. Otherwise, it can make your hoisin sauce taste too salty. 
  • Remember that the sauce will thicken as it cools. 
  • Letting it chill for at least 30 minutes before using it gives the flavors time to marry.
  • The sauce may separate as it sits. Shake it before each use.