Kecap Manis Recipe (Indonesian Sweet Soy Sauce)
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
20 mins
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Servings
16 tablespoons
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Calories
54 kcal
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Course
Condiments
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Cuisine
Asian, Indonesian
Kecap Manis Recipe (Indonesian Sweet Soy Sauce)
Description
The Kecap Manis Recipe (Indonesian Sweet Soy Sauce) merges traditional soy sauce with palm sugar and rich spices such as garlic, ginger, star anise, and cloves, simmered until the sugar dissolves and the mixture slightly thickens. The sauce cools with the spices to deepen its flavor. Its texture is syrupy with a blend of caramel notes from the palm sugar and the savory umami of soy sauce. Variations may include additional aromatics like black peppercorns or lemongrass.
With a balance of salty and sweet flavors, this sauce can be used in cooking to add a glossy finish or a flavor boost to meats, vegetables, or stir-fries. It also serves well as a dipping sauce or condiment in Indonesian cuisine.
The recipe yields about one cup and keeps refrigerated for several weeks. Note that the sauce thickens further when cooled; checking the consistency on a cold plate helps monitor thickness without over-reducing.
Ingredients
- 1 cup soy sauce use a brand you know you like
- 1 1/4 cup palm sugar or coconut sugar or brown sugar
- (Note: Palm/coconut sugar has a rich caramel/butterscotch flavor whereas brown sugar yields a sweeter-tasting sauce, take your pick)
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
- 2 inch ginger peeled and quartered
- 2 star anise whole
- 2 clove whole
- (You can also experiment with adding ingredients like black peppercorns, chilies, coriander seeds, lemongrass, kaffir or curry lime leaves)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring frequently, until the sugar is dissolved and sauce begins to thicken, 10-15 minutes. (Note: The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools so be careful not to over-cook it. But you can get an idea of its thickness by placing a place in the freezer for a few minutes and then spooning a little sauce onto it to see how thick it is when it cools.)
- Turn off the heat, cover and let cool completely with the spices, garlic and ginger still in it so they can continue to release their flavors. Once cool, discard the pieces, pour the sauce into an airtight jar and store in the fridge. It will keep for several weeks. Makes about 1 cup.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 16tablespoons
Amount Per Serving
Calories 54 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1tablespoon | |
| Calories | 54kcal | 3% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Sodium | 556mg | 23% |
| Potassium | 52mg | 1% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin C | 0.2mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 7mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.4mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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