Description
This homemade hoisin sauce recipe is a quick and easy way to make a flavorful Asian-inspired condiment from scratch. Combining savory soy sauce, creamy peanut butter, sweet molasses or honey, and a blend of spices, this versatile sauce brings depth and a perfect balance of sweet, salty, tangy, and spicy notes to stir-fries, marinades, dipping sauces, and more. Ready in just 5 minutes with simple ingredients, it’s a healthier alternative to store-bought versions and can be customized to your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon molasses or honey
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Chinese five spice
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon miso paste (optional)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Combine Base Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, peanut butter, and molasses or honey until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This forms the savory, sweet foundation of the hoisin sauce.
- Add Vinegar and Spices: Stir in the rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic powder, and Chinese five spice until they are evenly incorporated, building complex layers of flavor.
- Incorporate Heat: Mix in the sriracha or chili garlic sauce according to your preferred spice level, giving the sauce a mild kick.
- Optional Miso Addition: If using miso paste, whisk it in thoroughly to deepen the umami taste and add richness.
- Adjust Consistency: Gradually add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches a smooth, spoon-coating consistency that’s perfect for glazing or dipping.
- Taste and Adjust: Sample the sauce and fine-tune the flavors as desired—add more honey for sweetness or more rice vinegar for tanginess to suit your palate.
- Store Properly: Transfer the hoisin sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep fresh for up to 2 weeks. Stir well before each use to re-incorporate any settled ingredients.
Notes
- You can substitute peanut butter with almond butter or tahini for a different nutty flavor or to avoid peanuts.
- Adjust the chili garlic sauce or sriracha carefully to control the heat level.
- Use molasses for a deeper, more robust sweetness, or honey for a milder, floral touch.
- The optional miso paste adds umami depth but can be omitted for a simpler sauce.
- This hoisin sauce is great for stir-fries, dipping spring rolls, glazing meats, or as a sandwich spread.
- Keep the sauce refrigerated and use within two weeks for best freshness and flavor.
