The Ultimate Homemade Hoisin Sauce Recipe (Authentic & Easy Versions)

Hoisin sauce is one of the most versatile and flavorful sauces in Chinese cooking. It’s thick, glossy, and packed with a unique balance of sweet, salty, and savory flavors. From glazing Peking duck to adding depth to stir-fries and noodle dishes, this sauce has earned its place as a kitchen staple worldwide.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what hoisin sauce is, discover its key ingredients, and explore two different recipes, one quick and easy for busy weeknights, and one authentic version for true flavor enthusiasts. You’ll also get expert tips on substitutions, uses, storage, and dietary adaptations, plus answers to the most common hoisin-related questions.

Whether you’re making dinner in 5 minutes or crafting a sauce from scratch with fermented soybean paste, this article will show you how to get the best flavor every time.

What is Hoisin Sauce?

Hoisin sauce is a thick, fragrant sauce used in Chinese cuisine, known for its deep umami flavor and glossy, dark-brown appearance. Its taste is a balanced mix of sweet, salty, and savory, with subtle hints of spice from aromatics like garlic and Chinese five spice powder.

Traditionally, this sauce is made with fermented soybean paste, which gives it a complex, rich depth of flavor. Other core ingredients include soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, garlic, and spices. Modern variations often swap fermented bean paste for peanut butter, tahini, or miso paste to make it easier for home cooks to prepare.

In Chinese cooking, hoisin sauce is used as:

• A glaze for meats like Peking duck or BBQ.
• A dipping sauce for spring rolls or lettuce wraps.
• A flavor booster for stir-fries, marinades, and noodle dishes.

• What does hoisin sauce taste like? → Sweet, salty, umami-rich, with light spice.
• Hoisin sauce in Chinese cuisine? → Commonly used in glazes, stir-fries, and as a table condiment.

Hoisin Sauce Ingredients: The Traditional vs. The Easy

Making this Chinese barbecue sauce at home starts with choosing your approach, authentic and traditional for maximum depth of flavor, or quick and easy for everyday cooking convenience.

Traditional Hoisin Sauce Ingredients

This version uses classic Chinese ingredients for a richer, more complex taste:

• Fermented soybean paste – The base of traditional hoisin, full of umami.
• Soy sauce – Adds saltiness and depth.
• Chinese rock sugar or brown sugar – Balances the savory flavors.
• Chinese black vinegar – Gives tang and complexity.
• Fresh garlic & ginger – Provides aroma and freshness.
• Chinese five spice powder – Adds warmth and subtle spice.
• Fermented chili paste (optional) – For heat and extra depth.

Easy & Accessible Hoisin Sauce Ingredients

This version swaps traditional items for pantry staples while keeping the flavor balanced:

• Smooth peanut butter or tahini – Replaces fermented bean paste for creamy texture.
• Soy sauce (low sodium if preferred) – The savory backbone.
• Maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar – Sweetens and balances flavors.
• Rice vinegar – Adds acidity and brightness.
• Garlic powder – Easy and quick alternative to fresh garlic.
• Chinese five spice powder – Keeps the signature warm spice profile.
• Sriracha or chili flakes (optional) – For adjustable heat.

• What is Chinese barbecue sauce made of? → Lists both authentic and modern versions.
• Gluten-free option? → Use tamari instead of soy sauce.

How to Make Hoisin Sauce at Home

Whether you want a 5-minute pantry-friendly sauce or a deeply flavored traditional version, making hoisin at home is simple. Below you’ll find both versions so you can choose based on your time and ingredients.

Easy Homemade Hoisin Sauce Recipe

(Quick & Accessible, Perfect for Busy Weeknights)

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 cup
Course: Sauce, Condiment
Cuisine: Chinese
Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free Option

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp smooth peanut butter
• 3 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium if preferred)
• 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp Chinese five spice powder
• 1 tsp sriracha (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter and soy sauce until smooth.
2. Add maple syrup, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and five spice powder.
3. Mix until glossy and well combined.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning, add more soy sauce for salt, more syrup for sweetness, or sriracha for heat.

Authentic Hoisin Sauce Recipe

(Traditional Flavor Using Fermented Soybean Paste)

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 1 cup
Course: Sauce, Condiment
Cuisine: Chinese
Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free Option

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp fermented soybean paste
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp Chinese rock sugar (or brown sugar)
• 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
• 1 tsp Chinese five spice powder
• 1 tsp fermented chili paste (optional)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat.
2. Stir continuously until sugar dissolves and sauce is smooth (about 3–5 minutes).
3. Remove from heat and let cool completely before storing in an airtight jar.

Hoisin Sauce Substitutes and Alternatives

Sometimes you run out of Chinese barbecue sauce or need a swap for dietary reasons. The good news is, you can still get close to that sweet-salty umami flavor with a few pantry combinations.

Quick Hoisin Sauce Substitutes

Here’s a handy table comparing the most common replacements, their flavor match, and when to use them:

Oyster Sauce vs. Hoisin Sauce

• Hoisin: Thick, sweet, savory, with warm spice notes from five spice powder.
• Oyster: Thinner, saltier, and briny with a strong seafood undertone.
• Swap rule: You can swap them in stir-fries, but hoisin will make dishes sweeter, while oyster will add more salt and ocean flavor.

Teriyaki Sauce vs. Hoisin Sauce

• Hoisin: Chinese origin, fermented bean base, more complex savory flavor.
• Teriyaki: Japanese origin, soy + sugar base, lighter, sweeter, and less spiced.
• Swap rule: Teriyaki works in a pinch, but add a touch of garlic and five spice to mimic hoisin’s depth.

Hoisin Sauce Uses: Beyond the Stir-Fry

Hoisin sauce is far more versatile than most people realize. While it’s a staple in stir-fries, it also shines as a marinade, glaze, dipping sauce, and even a flavor enhancer in soups and noodle bowls. Here’s how to get the most out of it.

As a Marinade

Best for: Chicken breast, beef, tofu
Mix this Chinese barbecue sauce with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a splash of vinegar to make a flavorful marinade. It tenderizes meat and infuses it with a sweet-savory depth.
Tip: Marinate chicken breast for 30 minutes to 2 hours before grilling or baking for maximum flavor.

As a Glaze

Best for: Ribs, chicken wings, salmon
Brush the sauce directly onto meat or seafood during the last few minutes of cooking. Its sugars caramelize, creating a glossy, flavorful coating.
Tip: Combine with a bit of honey or brown sugar for extra stickiness.

In Noodle Dishes

Best for: Lo mein, chow mein, stir-fried rice noodles
Add a spoonful of hoisin to stir-fried noodles for instant flavor. It pairs beautifully with vegetables, chicken, or shrimp.
Tip: Thin with a splash of noodle cooking water to help coat strands evenly.

As a Dipping Sauce

Best for: Spring rolls, dumplings, lettuce wraps
Serve hoisin straight from the jar or mix it with peanut butter and lime juice for a richer dipping sauce.
Tip: For an extra kick, stir in chili paste or sriracha.

Hoisin Sauce for All Diets: Gluten-Free & Vegan Options

Many store-bought hoisin sauces contain wheat and sometimes animal-based ingredients. If you follow a gluten-free or vegan diet, you can easily adjust the recipe to suit your needs without losing flavor.

Gluten-Free Hoisin Sauce

• The issue: Traditional soy sauce often contains wheat.
• The solution: Use tamari or certified gluten-free soy sauce instead.
• Extra tip: Check labels for thickeners like wheat flour in pre-made sauces.
• Flavor match: Tamari offers the same salty umami without the gluten.

Vegan Hoisin Sauce

• The issue: Some commercial hoisin sauces contain animal-derived additives, like certain food colorings or oyster extract.
• The solution: Use plant-based ingredients in homemade versions. Both the easy and authentic recipes in this guide are naturally vegan if you choose plant-based sweeteners like maple syrup or agave.
• Extra tip: For a richer vegan dipping sauce, mix hoisin with peanut butter and lime juice.

Other Dietary Adaptations

• Soy-Free: Swap soy sauce for coconut aminos and fermented soybean paste for sunflower seed butter or miso made from chickpeas.
• Low-Sodium: Use reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari and cut sweeteners slightly to balance flavor.

Nutrition Facts & Storage Tips

Making hoisin sauce at home not only lets you control the ingredients but also helps you manage sodium, sugar, and other nutrients.

Nutrition Facts (Per 100g – USDA Data)

• Calories: 220 kcal
• Total Fat: 3.4 g (5% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 0.6 g (3% DV)
• Cholesterol: 3 mg (1% DV)
• Sodium: 1,615 mg (67% DV)
• Potassium: 119 mg (3% DV)
• Total Carbohydrate: 44 g (14% DV)
• Protein: 3.3 g (6% DV)

Note: Homemade versions can be lower in sodium if you use reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari.

Storage Tips

• Refrigeration: Store in an airtight jar or container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
• Freezing: Pour into ice cube trays, freeze, then transfer cubes to a freezer bag. Keeps for up to 3 months.
• Room Temperature: Not recommended for homemade versions because they lack preservatives.

Pro Tip: Always use a clean spoon when scooping from the jar to prevent contamination.

Your Questions Answered: Hoisin Sauce FAQ

The Ultimate Homemade Hoisin Sauce Recipe (Authentic & Easy Versions)

Ziko Wilson

Make your own hoisin sauce at home with two versions: a quick 5-minute pantry-friendly recipe and an authentic version with fermented soybean paste. Perfect for stir-fries, marinades, and dipping sauces.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Condinent, Sauce

Cuisine Chinese

Servings 1 cup (100g)

Calories 220 kcal

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• saucepan (for authentic version)

Ingredients

  

Ingredients (Easy Version):

• 4 tbsp smooth peanut butter
• 3 tbsp soy sauce low sodium if preferred
• 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp Chinese five spice powder
• 1 tsp sriracha optional

Ingredients (Authentic Version):

• 4 tbsp fermented soybean paste
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp Chinese rock sugar or brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger minced
• 1 tsp Chinese five spice powder
• 1 tsp fermented chili paste optional

Instructions

 

Instructions (Easy Version):

• In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter and soy sauce until smooth.
• Add maple syrup, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and five spice powder.
• Stir until fully combined and glossy.
• Taste and adjust sweetness, saltiness, or heat as needed.

Instructions (Authentic Version):

• Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
• Simmer over low heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and let cool before storing.

Notes

Nutrition (per 100g, Easy Version):

SERVING: 100g | CALORIES: 220 kcal | CARBOHYDRATES: 44 g | PROTEIN: 3.3 g | FAT: 3.4 g | SATURATED FAT: 0.6 g | CHOLESTEROL: 3 mg | SODIUM: 1,615 mg | POTASSIUM: 119 mg | FIBER: 1.2 g | SUGAR: 24 g | VITAMIN A: 0 IU | VITAMIN C: 0 mg | CALCIUM: 34 mg | IRON: 1.6 mg

---

Note for the Authentic Version: 

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes 
• Total Time: 15 minutes 

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Pin Recipe

Conclusion: Mastering Hoisin Sauce at Home

Hoisin sauce is more than just a condiment, it’s a flavor powerhouse that can transform stir-fries, marinades, glazes, and dipping sauces into unforgettable dishes. Whether you choose the quick and easy version for busy nights or the authentic recipe for rich, traditional depth, making it at home gives you full control over the flavor, texture, and dietary preferences.

Now that you have the ultimate guide, you can:

• Impress family and friends with restaurant-quality flavor.
• Adapt the sauce to your own tastes and dietary needs.
• Explore new recipes that highlight hoisin’s sweet-savory magic.

Your Turn, Let’s Keep Cooking Together

If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how you used it! Did you brush it over grilled chicken? Toss it with noodles? Use it as a dipping sauce for spring rolls?

Share your creations:

• Comment below with your favorite way to use hoisin sauce.
• Tag @ZikoRecipes on Pinterest or Facebook so we can see your dish and share it with our community.
• Follow us on Pinterest for daily recipes, cooking tips, and flavor inspiration.

Share on Facebook

Post on X

Follow us

Save