Hoisin sauce recipe: Make it yourself or enjoy it straight away

Hoisin sauce is one of the most versatile condiments in Chinese cuisine. Sweet, salty, a little spicy, and mixed yourself in minutes. In this article, we will show you a simple hoisin sauce recipe, explain its classic uses, and reveal when it's better to reach for a store-bought sauce than to make it yourself.

Asian cuisine has long been a firmly established part of everyday life in Germany: in a Statista survey from 2017, 38% of respondents named sushi as their favorite Asian dish, early evidence of how deeply Asian flavors are anchored in this country.

What is Hoisin sauce?

Hoisin sauce is a thick, dark brown condiment from Cantonese cuisine. Its base consists of fermented soybeans, supplemented by garlic, vinegar, sugar, and spices such as star anise or five-spice powder. It tastes sweet, salty, and slightly spicy.

The name "Hoisin" comes from Cantonese and literally means "seafood," although it contains none. It is likely that the sauce was served with fish dishes in the past, which is where the name comes from. Little is known for certain about its exact origin; what is clear is that hoisin sauce comes from the Cantonese regional cuisine, one of the most well-known among Chinese regional cuisines.

Typical ingredients of a classic hoisin sauce:

• Fermented soybean paste – the umami base
• Garlic – for heat and depth
• Rice or wine vinegar – for slight acidity
• Sugar – for the characteristic sweetness
• Sesame oil – for roasted aromas
• Five-spice powder or star anise – for the typical seasoning

What does Hoisin sauce taste like?

Hoisin sauce tastes sweet and salty with a subtle spiciness and a deep umami character provided by the fermented soybeans. In terms of flavor, it is reminiscent of a Chinese BBQ sauce, just fuller and without any tomato content.

The consistency is thick to slightly sticky, similar to a marinade. This is exactly what makes it ideal for glazing, marinating, and dipping.

Hoisin sauce recipe: How do you make Hoisin sauce yourself?

For homemade hoisin sauce, mix soy sauce with peanut butter or fermented soybean paste, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, and five-spice powder. Simply stir the ingredients until smooth, and the sauce is ready in under 10 minutes, with no cooking required.

Ingredients (makes approx. 200 ml)

Preparation in 4 steps

1. Measure ingredients. Add soy sauce, peanut butter, and honey to a bowl.
2. Stir. Whisk until smooth until a homogeneous mixture forms.
3. Season. Stir in rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and five-spice powder.
4. Taste. Dilute with a little water to desired consistency if needed and adjust to taste with chili flakes.

The homemade sauce will keep in the refrigerator for several days if stored in an airtight container. If you prefer things easier, you can reach for a ready-made hoisin sauce; we stock them in our sauces category alongside soy sauce, oyster sauce, and other Asian seasoning pastes.

What is Hoisin sauce used for?

Hoisin sauce is suitable as a wok sauce, marinade, glaze, and dip. It is classically served with Peking duck, but is also found in marinades for meat and tofu, as well as a dipping sauce for spring and summer rolls.

• As a wok sauce: Glaze vegetables, tofu, or noodles with hoisin sauce shortly before the end of cooking.
• As a marinade: Mix with soy sauce and a little ginger and let meat, tofu, or fish soak in it.
• As a glaze: Classic for Peking duck, but also for roast pork belly or chicken.
• As a dip: Lightly diluted with water or lime juice for spring rolls, summer rolls, or bao buns.
• As a glaze for fish: A thin hoisin glaze also goes well with pan-seared or grilled salmon, for example with products from our fresh goods category.

Hoisin sauce vs. soy sauce vs. oyster sauce: What is the difference?

Soy sauce is thin and predominantly salty; oyster sauce is thick and savory-umami; hoisin sauce is thick and dominantly sweet and spicy. All three are based on fermented or reduced ingredients, but differ significantly in their flavor profiles.

All three sauces can be found in our sauces section.

Is there a good Hoisin sauce substitute?

A mixture of soy sauce, peanut butter, honey, and a splash of rice vinegar makes a good hoisin sauce substitute. A combination of oyster sauce and a little brown sugar also comes close to the original in terms of flavor.

Is Hoisin sauce vegan?

Classic hoisin sauce is usually vegan, as it is based on fermented soybeans rather than animal ingredients. Check the ingredient list anyway, as some industrial variants may contain honey or fish sauce.

The homemade recipe above can easily be made vegan by using maple syrup instead of honey. This makes hoisin sauce a good fit for the growing number of vegetarians and vegans in Germany: according to the Allensbach market and media analysis, 8.43 million Germans now describe themselves as vegetarians, an increase of 310,000 people over the previous year.

3 simple recipes with Hoisin sauce

Hoisin sauce goes well with wok vegetables, as a dip for summer rolls, and as a glaze for crispy duck or chicken. All three ideas can be prepared in under 30 minutes.

1. Hoisin wok vegetables: Sauté bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots, and glaze with 2 tbsp hoisin sauce and a splash of soy sauce. Ready in just a few minutes.
2. Summer roll dip: Mix hoisin sauce with a little water, lime juice, and chopped peanuts; a classic accompaniment to fresh frozen products.
3. Oven-baked hoisin chicken: Brush chicken legs with hoisin sauce, a little garlic, and ginger, and roast in the oven at 200°C for approx. 30 minutes until glazed.

Where can I buy Hoisin sauce?

You can buy hoisin sauce in well-stocked Asian supermarkets or online from specialized Asian food suppliers. PANASIA DE carries hoisin sauce and other Asian sauces in its range.

Frankfurt am Main, just a few kilometers from our headquarters in Dietzenbach, is one of the cities with the highest density of Asian restaurants in Germany: 21.94 establishments per 100,000 inhabitants. The demand for authentic Asian ingredients in the region is correspondingly high, whether for home cooking or professional culinary use.

Hoisin sauce recipe for DIY or using our range

A good hoisin sauce recipe does not need exotic ingredients and is ready in just a few minutes. If you prefer it to be uncomplicated, you can use ready-made hoisin sauce from our sauce range; both paths lead to the same sweet and spicy result.

Take a look at our sauces.

Frequently asked questions about Hoisin sauce recipe

What is in Hoisin sauce?

Hoisin sauce usually consists of fermented soybeans, garlic, sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, and spices such as five-spice powder or star anise. Some ready-made products additionally contain wheat flour as a thickener.

Is there a difference between soy sauce and Hoisin sauce?

Yes: Soy sauce is thin and purely salty-savory; hoisin sauce is thick, sweet-spicy, and contains significantly more ingredients like garlic and spices. Soy sauce serves as a base seasoning, while hoisin sauce is used more as a marinade or glaze.

Are oyster sauce and Hoisin sauce the same?

No. Both are thick and dark, but they differ in their base and flavor: oyster sauce is based on oyster extract and tastes savory-umami, while hoisin sauce is based on fermented soybeans and tastes significantly sweeter.

Do I have to store Hoisin sauce in the refrigerator after opening?

Yes. Once opened, hoisin sauce should always be stored in a cool place and kept tightly sealed to maintain its flavor and quality.

How long does opened Hoisin sauce last?

Once opened and refrigerated, industrially produced hoisin sauce usually lasts for several weeks to a few months. The manufacturer's instructions on the label should always be followed for a precise date.