Easy Homemade Hoisin Sauce Recipe

Hoisin sauce is the mouthwatering secret ingredient for an array of Asian dishes. My glazed salmon, General Tso’s chicken, and seared ahi tuna are just a few that I love using with my hoisin sauce!

What is Hoisin Sauce?

Hoisin sauce is often compared to soy sauce but is packed with more of the flavors you love- garlic, pepper, and sriracha. However, it has a few other ingredients that give it its distinct flavor and texture. Peanut butter, sesame oil, and rice vinegar give it a distinct flavor while also making the texture a little thick.

Ingredients Needed for Hoisin Sauce

My favorite part of this recipe is that all of these ingredients were just sitting in my cupboard! They came together to create the most flavorful end result. Check out the exact measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Try it as a dip: This sauce is thick and dark and delicious to dip egg rolls, or spring rolls in! Use it as a marinade: Hoisin sauce makes a fantastic marinade!It infuses meat and seafood with a perfectly fragrant, mouthwatering flavor while also keeping it super tender! Sticky Asian glazed chicken and hoisin shrimp are star examples of this delicious process. Use it as a glaze: I love adding hoisin sauce to stir fry or rice to add in a little bit more flavor to any recipe.

Soy Sauce: Soy sauce will give your hoisin a boost of salty goodness. I like to use Kikkoman soy sauce in my cooking! If you want to watch your sodium, you can use light soy sauce here. Molasses: This will thicken up your hoisin sauce. We want that perfect glaze-like texture here. Sesame Oil: Sesame oil adds a distinct nutty flavor to your hoisin sauce. It is one of the key ingredients for getting a complex, rich flavor. Ottogi is my favorite brand! Rice Vinegar: This is where the tang comes in. Rice vinegar adds the perfect hint of sweetness and tanginess. I use Marukan brand rice vinegar in this recipe. Peanut Butter: Who knew peanut butter was such a versatile ingredient? This gives your hoisin sauce its amazing thick texture and umami flavor. Garlic: I use finely minced garlic in this recipe for a strong, savory flavor. Sriracha Sauce: Sriracha adds the perfect hint of spiciness. You can adjust to taste if you want a sauce with more heat! Ground Pepper: Add for flavorful, earthy goodness. Water: Add water as needed to reach your desired consistency. Cornstarch: This will help your sauce thicken up nicely.

Homemade Hoisin Sauce Recipe

This is the perfect quick and easy hoisin sauce recipe. Really, all you have to do is mix all of your ingredients together! You can easily keep it on hand for all of your cooking needs.

Adjusting Consistency: If your sauce is too watery, you can add a bit of cornstarch as needed to thicken it up. Vice versa, a tablespoon of water at a time can help to thin out sauce that has become too thick. Keep in mind that traditionally this sauce is served on the thicker side. Using Soybean Paste: Traditionally, soybean paste is used in place of peanut butter. Using this will give your sauce more of a savory, miso-like flavor. It can be found at your local Asian supermarket! Sauté Garlic: For a pop of savory, smoky flavor, you can brown your garlic in a skillet before adding it to your mixture. Adding More Spice: If you like your sauces hot, you can add an extra dash of sriracha or chili powder until you have reached your desired flavor!

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In the Refrigerator: Hoisin sauce will keep for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. I like to keep mine in an airtight glass jar. In the Freezer: Store your hoisin sauce in an airtight container or jar. It will keep for up to 3 months! A little separation may occur once its thaw, so give it a good mix before serving!