Hoisin Sauce (Chinese Sweet-Savory Stir-Fry & Dipping Sauce)

Thick, Glossy Sauce for Peking Duck, Lettuce Wraps, and Noodles

Hoisin sauce is a classic Chinese pantry staple—sweet, savory, and deeply umami. It’s used as a glaze, marinade, and dipping sauce, especially for roasted meats, stir-fries, lettuce wraps, and noodles. This homemade version is rich and balanced, with the familiar hoisin flavor you expect.

Sauces and Dips

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Hoisin Sauce (Chinese Sweet-Savory Stir-Fry & Dipping Sauce)

Hoisin sauce is a classic Chinese pantry staple—sweet, savory, and deeply umami. It’s used as a glaze, marinade, and dipping sauce, especially for roasted meats, stir-fries,…

TypeCondiments

DifficultyEasy

CuisineChinese-inspired

Ingredients

Batch½×1×2×

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• 1/3 cup hoisin-style base: smooth peanut butter or black bean paste (choose one)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium)
• 3 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 2 teaspoons garlic, finely grated
• 1 teaspoon ginger, finely grated
• 2 tablespoons warm water, as needed to thin
• Optional: 1 teaspoon chili paste for heat

Instructions

1. Mix the base In a bowl, whisk together peanut butterMix the base In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter (or black bean paste), soy sauce, honey or sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, five-spice, garlic, and ginger until smooth.
2. Adjust consistency Whisk in warm water 1 tablespoon at aAdjust consistency Whisk in warm water 1 tablespoon at a time until the sauce is thick but pourable.
3. Rest Let sit 10 minutes so flavors settleRest Let sit 10 minutes so flavors settle. Taste and adjust sweetness, saltiness, or acidity as needed.

Serving Ideas

Use as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, dumplings, or lettuce wraps

Brush onto pork, chicken, or tofu as a glaze before roasting or grilling

Stir into noodles or stir-fries for sweet-savory depth

Spread inside bao buns, wraps, or sandwiches

Tips from @saucesanddips

For a more authentic “bean-forward” flavor, use black bean paste instead of peanut butter.

If your sauce tastes too sharp, add a touch more honey and let it rest 15 minutes.

Keeps 2–3 weeks refrigerated in a sealed jar; stir before using.

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Explore another sweet-savory sauce

Making pork or chicken katsu? Try Tonkatsu Sauce, a tangy ketchup-and-Worcestershire-based condiment.