Hoisin Sauce

Name: Hoisin Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Chinese (Cantonese)
Ingredients: Fermented soybean paste (or dark miso as substitute) — 60 g (1/4 cup); Soy sauce — 30 ml (2 tbsp); Rice vinegar — 15 ml (1 tbsp); Honey or brown sugar — 30 g (2 tbsp); Garlic, minced — 2 cloves; Chinese five-spice powder — 2 g (1/2 tsp); Sesame oil — 5 ml (1 tsp); Sriracha or chili paste (optional) — 5 g (1 tsp)

The Quirky Foodster Team

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5 min

Prep

5 min

Cook

Ingredients

Fermented soybean paste (or dark miso as substitute) — 60 g (1/4 cup)
Soy sauce — 30 ml (2 tbsp)
Rice vinegar — 15 ml (1 tbsp)
Honey or brown sugar — 30 g (2 tbsp)
Garlic, minced — 2 cloves
Chinese five-spice powder — 2 g (1/2 tsp)
Sesame oil — 5 ml (1 tsp)
Sriracha or chili paste (optional) — 5 g (1 tsp)

Method

Combine soybean paste, soy sauce and vinegar in a small saucepan.
Whisk in honey, garlic and five-spice powder.
Warm gently over low heat, stirring, for 3-4 minutes until well combined and slightly glossy.
Stir in sesame oil and chili paste if using.
Cool before using; store in a sealed jar.

Cultural Background: A sweet, salty fermented sauce built on soybean paste, hoisin sauce (its name meaning 'seafood', despite containing none) originates in Cantonese cuisine, now used across Chinese cooking as a glaze, dip and stir-fry seasoning.

Tips: • If using miso as a substitute, choose a darker variety for the closest flavour and colour match. • This sauce thickens as it cools, so don't over-reduce it on the stove.

Variations: • Add a splash of Chinese rice wine for extra depth. • Adjust sweetness and saltiness ratios to taste.

Storage: Refrigerate in a sealed jar up to 1 month.

Reheating: Not applicable; used cold or as a glaze applied during cooking. Nutrition (per serving) Approx. 30 kcal, 1 g protein, 1 g fat, 5 g carbohydrate per 15 g serving. FAQs What is hoisin sauce traditionally used for? A glaze for roasted meats like Peking duck, a dipping sauce for spring rolls, and a stir-fry seasoning. Does hoisin sauce contain seafood? No, despite its name meaning 'seafood' in Chinese — it's a soybean-based sauce with no seafood ingredients.

FAQs: What is hoisin sauce traditionally used for? A glaze for roasted meats like Peking duck, a dipping sauce for spring rolls, and a stir-fry seasoning. Does hoisin sauce contain seafood? No, despite its name meaning 'seafood' in Chinese — it's a soybean-based sauce with no seafood ingredients.