Looking for substitutes for hoisin sauce? While hoisin sauce is readily available in stores and can be prepared at home, we understand that sometimes you need a quick alternative. That’s where these hoisin sauce substitutes come in handy.
We go into details about how to use each hoisin sauce substitute below and when you should use each one, but here’s a quick snapshot of our top substitutes for hoisin sauce.
| 4 T of Hoisin Sauce = |
|---|
| 4 T Black Bean Sauce |
| 1 T Brown Sugar + 2 T Bean Paste |
| 4 T Miso Paste |
| 3 T Oyster Sauce + 1 T Sugar |
| 3 T Plum Sauce + 1 T Soy Sauce |
| 2 T Soy Sauce + 1 T Sugar |
| 1 T Sweet Bean Sauce + 1/4 T Minced Garlic |
How much hoisin sauce should I use in a stir-fry?
Start with 2 to 3 tablespoons of hoisin sauce for a stir-fry serving 4 people. If you think the stir-fry needs more depth or a sweet taste, add another tablespoon or so.
How many tablespoons of hoisin sauce equal 1 cup?
There are 16 tablespoons in 1 cup, as a general rule. So, if you want to know how many tablespoons of hoisin sauce equals 1 cup, the answer is 16 tablespoons.
Do I need to use more or less hoisin sauce in a marinade than in a dipping sauce?
You’d use more hoisin sauce in a marinade than in a dipping sauce because a marinade needs to infuse flavor into the food, while a dipping sauce provides concentrated flavor directly upon dipping.
Substitutes For Hoisin Sauce
1. Black Bean Sauce
You can substitute black bean sauce for hoisin sauce in recipes like stir-fries and marinades, but their flavors differ; black bean sauce is more savory and less sweet.
It has a thicker, chunkier texture, so you may need to add water for consistency. Add sugar and soy or oyster sauce to make it more like hoisin sauce.
Substitute black bean sauce in a 1:1 ratio.
2. Brown Sugar + Bean Paste
Using brown sugar and bean paste as a substitute for hoisin sauce can be a viable alternative if you’re in a pinch and can’t find the real thing. This combo offers a sweet and salty base similar to hoisin but lacks its garlic, tang, and spice unless more ingredients are added.
Combine 2 tablespoons of bean paste and a tablespoon of brown sugar for every 4 tablespoons of hoisin.
3. Miso Paste
Using miso paste as a substitute for hoisin sauce can work in a pinch. It works well in recipes like stir-fries, marinades, or simple noodle dishes, but you need to understand that the two ingredients have distinct flavors.
Substituting miso for hoisin will change the taste, even with added sweeteners and vinegar. This substitution is only best for recipes where hoisin isn’t dominant.
Substitute it in a 1:1 ratio.
4. Oyster Sauce + Sugar
If you’re out of hoisin sauce and considering using oyster sauce as a substitute, keep in mind that they have different flavors. However, oyster sauce can work as an alternative in certain recipes, especially stir-fries, marinades, and steamed vegetables.
Consider adding a touch of sugar or honey to capture some of the sweet notes of hoisin sauce.
Mix 3 tablespoons of oyster sauce and a tablespoon of sugar for every 4 tablespoons of hoisin sauce.
5. Plum Sauce + Soy Sauce
Plum sauce is sweeter and fruitier than hoisin sauce, which has a deeper, salty-umami flavor. While the two can sometimes be used interchangeably in stir-fries, marinades, and dips, the flavor will slightly differ, so adjustments might be needed to achieve the desired taste. To balance this, consider adding a touch of soy sauce.
Mix 3 tablespoons of plum sauce and a tablespoon of soy sauce for every 4 tablespoons of hoisin sauce you need.
6. Soy Sauce + Sugar
Soy sauce combined with sugar can serve as a basic substitute for hoisin sauce, offering a sweet and salty flavor. While this mix lacks the full depth and thick consistency of traditional hoisin, it can be used in stir-fries, marinades, and glazes. However, for dishes where hoisin is central, it’s ideal to use authentic sauce.
Mix 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of sugar for every 3 tablespoons of hoisin sauce.
7. Sweet Bean Sauce + Minced Garlic
Sweet bean sauce can be a substitute for hoisin sauce in dishes like stir-fries, marinades for grilled meats, and noodle dishes such as beef chow fun. If substituting, you might want to add a touch of minced garlic to better emulate hoisin’s flavor.
Mix a tablespoon of sweet bean sauce and 1/4 tablespoon of minced garlic for every tablespoon of hoisin sauce.
The bottom line
Explore different substitutes for hoisin sauce in this guide to replicate its sweet and savory flavor in your dishes. Whether you’re glazing meat, preparing a stir fry, or in need of a dipping sauce, these alternatives have got all your taste needs covered.
More About Hoisin Sauce
Substitutes For Hoisin Sauce: 7 Best Substitutes For Hoisin
Out of hoisin sauce? No problem! Here are 7 best substitutes for this delicious condiment, so you can still enjoy your favorite recipes.
Ingredients
- Black Bean Sauce: Use an equal amount as hoisin sauce (1:1)
- Brown Sugar + Bean Paste: 1 T + 2 T for 4 T hoisin sauce
- Miso Paste: Use an equal amount as hoisin sauce (1:1)
- Oyster Sauce + Sugar : 3 T + 1 T for 4 T hoisin sauce
- Plum Sauce + Soy Sauce: 3 T + 1 T for 4 T hoisin sauce
- Soy Sauce + Sugar: 2 T + 1 T for 3 T hoisin sauce
- Sweet Bean Sauce + Minced Garlic: 1 T + 1/4 for 1 T hoisin sauce
Instructions
- Replace hoisin sauce with one of our 7 suggested options.
- Use one of the above ratios when substituting for hoisin sauce in a recipe.