Top 10 Best Hoisin Sauce Substitute

You can also go for a hoisin sauce substitute when it is not readily available in your nearby grocery store. Hoisin sauce is an amazing ingredient that is used in many Asian cuisines. It comes in different varieties including ingredients like vinegar, soybeans, red chilis, and so on. Many people use this sauce to marinate, cook meat, and stir-fry dishes. Today, I have collected ten different substitutes for hoisin sauce. You can find all of them in most Asian and American grocery stores. So, if you run out of hoisin sauce while cooking and looking for a hoisin sauce substitute then keep on reading.

List Of 10 Best Hoisin Sauce Substitutes

If you are craving the rich and savory flavor of hoisin, look at these Epicurious hoisin sauce substitutes. I have hand-picked each hoisin sauce substitute all by myself.

1. Soy Sauce
2. Oyster Sauce
3. Teriyaki Sauce
4. Black Bean Sauce
5. Barbecue Sauce
6. Fish Sauce
7. Sweet Soy Sauce
8. Miso Paste
9. Garlic With Prunes
10. Bean Paste With Brown Sugar

Continue reading to know the hoisin sauce replacement more in detail.

Substitute For Hoisin Sauce

From here onwards, you will get to explore different hoisin sauce substitute options that work equally great like hoisin sauce. You can pick up your favorite one that falls under your budget.

1. Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is an excellent hoisin sauce substitute if you are in a hurry. Soy sauce is also made from fermented soy just like hoisin sauce. Though the flavors of both sauces are not similar, still can be used as the quickest substitute for hoisin sauce. You can add a pinch of sugar or honey to add an interesting twist to your recipe. This hoisin sauce substitute “soy sauce” can be used to add depth and umami flavor to any dish.

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2. Oyster Sauce

You might be wondering, can we use oyster sauce as a hoisin substitute in different dishes? Well, yes! This hoisin substitute oyster sauce can be used for making shrimp fried rice or any other seafood dishes. You can also caramelize oyster juices with salt, sugar, and soy also. It will add a different unique flavor to your dish. But in the battle of hoisin sauce vs oyster sauce, oyster sauce stands in the first place. Go ahead and switch it with the ratio of 1:1 and mix it up with your dish.

Continue to read to find out the very well-known hoisin sauce substitute named teriyaki.

3. Garlic Teriyaki Sauce

Garlic is another key ingredient that is used in hoisin sauce. You can make homemade garlic teriyaki sauce by mixing up the following ingredients.

• ¾ cup of kidney beans
• 3 tablespoons of molasses
• 3 tablespoons of teriyaki sauce
• 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of five-spice powder (cinnamon, cloves,  fennel, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns)
• 2 garlic cloves

Mix all these ingredients in a blender and store them in an air-tight container. This hoisin sauce substitute garlic teriyaki sauce can be used for making stir-fry dishes.

4. Black Bean And Brown Sugar Paste

Hoisin sauce has a more complex flavor, so finding the perfect hoisin sauce substitute might be difficult sometimes. In such cases, you can make bean paste mixed with brown sugar to match its taste and consistency. Here, have a look at the list of ingredients required for this recipe.

• 4 prunes
• ⅓ cup of dark brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons of Chinese black bean sauce
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons of water

Mix up all these ingredients together in a blender. You can use this hoisin sauce substitute instead of oyster sauce in your stir-fry, vegetable, or meat dishes.

5. Barbecue Sauce And Molasses

This is one of the easiest hoisin sauce substitutes after soy sauce. For this recipe, you have to gather all these ingredients.

• ¾ cup of barbecue sauce
• 3 tablespoons of molasses
• 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
• ½ tablespoon of Chinese five-spice powder (cinnamon, cloves,  fennel, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns)

You can also add a little bit of water if you find the paste is too thick.

6. Fish Sauce

Fish sauce is often used as a hoisin sauce alternative to flavor stir fires or in hoisin substitute recipes. This hoisin sauce substitute fish sauce is quite salty and sharp in flavor. So, make sure you start with the lesser amount and then add more if needed.

7. Sweet Soy Sauce

You can substitute hoisin sauce with sweet soy sauce if can’t put your hands on hoisin sauce. But the only drawback of this substitute for hoisin sauce is that it is sweeter than hoisin sauce.

If you don’t mind its sugar content, it will work well as a hoisin sauce alternative. You can try a 1:1 substitute in the beginning and then add more if required.

You can keep on reading to know another hoisin sauce substitute instead of kecap manis.

8. Garlic With Miso And Mustard Paste

Who knew that miso and mustard paste can be mixed together with garlic to create a unique recipe! This hoisin sauce substitute miso with garlic and mustard paste can be made by using the following list of items.

• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 and ¼ cups of water
• 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon of miso paste
• 1 teaspoon of mustard paste
• ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper

Make sure you blend them well to get a smooth paste.

9. Garlic With Prunes

Though prunes are not a common key ingredient in hoisin sauce, still can be used along with garlic. The following list of ingredients can be used to make this sauce.

• 2 garlic cloves
• ¾ cup of pitted prunes
• 1 ½ tablespoon of dry sherry
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 2 cups of water

Mix all these ingredients in a blender to make a smooth and thick puree. You can also simmer prunes in two cups of boiling water to soften them. This hoisin sauce substitute can be used in several hoisin sauce recipes.

10. Black Bean With Plums

If prunes are not available in your kitchen, then use plums instead of prunes. It will help you to replicate the exact fruity undertones of hoisin sauce. To make this hoisin sauce substitute, you will need the following ingredients.

• 2 large plums that are chopped finely
• ¼ cup of brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons of water
• 3 tablespoons of black bean and garlic sauce
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
• 1 ½ teaspoon of sesame oil
• ½ teaspoon of five-spice powder (cinnamon, cloves,  fennel, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns)

You can first combine plums, brown sugar, and water together and let the plums boil till they become soft and tender. Afterward, add black bean, garlic sauce, and other ingredients to this mixture.

FAQ

What Is A Hoisin Sauce Substitute?

The below-listed items are the hoisin sauce substitutes.

1. Soy Sauce
2. Oyster Sauce
3. Teriyaki Sauce
4. Black Bean Sauce
5. Barbecue Sauce
6. Fish Sauce
7. Sweet Soy Sauce
8. Miso Paste
9. Garlic With Prunes
10. Bean Paste With Brown Sugar

Can I Replace Hoisin Sauce With Oyster Sauce?

Yes, you can replace hoisin sauce with oyster sauce if required. It can be used for making shrimp fried rice or any other seafood dishes. You can also caramelize oyster juices with salt, sugar, and soy also. It will add a different unique flavor to your dish.

Can I Substitute Teriyaki Sauce For Hoisin Sauce?

Yes, you can substitute teriyaki sauce for hoisin sauce. As garlic is another key ingredient that is used in hoisin sauce, you can mix it up with teriyaki sauce.

Does Hoisin Sauce Taste Like Oyster Sauce?

No, hoisin sauce and oyster sauce have different flavors due to which they don’t taste similar to each other. Oyster sauce is not as sweet as hoisin sauce.

Is Hoisin Sauce The Same As Brown Sauce?

No, hoisin sauce and brown sauce are not the same. Hoisin sauce is made by blending soybeans, garlic, chile, sugar, and spices all together. Whereas brown sauce is made from broth and has a thinner consistency than hoisin sauce.

What Is The Difference Between Hoisin And Oyster Sauce?

Smell: Oyster Sauce smells fresher and sweeter. Hoisin Sauce smells fishy and like the ocean. Nutrition: Oyster Sauce has sugar and a lower amount of salt, while Hoisin Sauce omits sugar. Usage in cooking: Oyster Sauce is famous for glazing Peking duck; Hoisin Sauce is well-known for seasoning pad thai.

Is Tamari Like Hoisin Sauce?

What is this? Tamari is a Japanese soy sauce used in cooking and as a dip. It has a less salty and more mellow flavor than Chinese soy sauce, making it a better direct substitute for hoisin.

Can I Use Teriyaki Sauce Instead Of Hoisin Sauce?

Teriyaki sauce naturally provides the sweetness of hoisin that some of the other sauces are missing. It is also a similar consistency to hoisin. If you plan to use teriyaki sauce as a simple 1:1 substitute, be mindful that the sweetness will usually be stronger than the original recipe.

Is Soy Sauce Similar To Hoisin Sauce?

Even though they look identical, soy and hoisin are not the same. Besides soybeans, hoisin is formulated with garlic, sesame oil, chilies, vinegar, and some sweetener for good measure. For lovers of Korean barbecue, you’ll be pleased to know that hoisin is considered the Chinese equivalent.

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Conclusion

If next time you find hoisin sauce is missing in your kitchen cabinet, then go for a hoisin sauce substitute. Above, I have found out 10 different substitutes for hoisin sauce that are worth trying. This includes soy sauce, garlic teriyaki sauce, fish sauce, and so on. Even black bean paste mixed with plums acts as a great hoisin sauce replacement when you are in a hurry. You can replace hoisin sauce with oyster sauce if required. It can be used for making shrimp fried rice or any other seafood dishes. I assume that you must have found your favorite hoisin sauce substitute by now!

Can you sub anything for hoisin sauce

Can I substitute soy sauce for hoisin sauce?