Homemade Hoisin Sauce
Homemade Hoisin Sauce (Total Time 5 Minutes --- Servings 8)
Homemade Hoisin Sauce
Amount Per Serving (22 g)
Calories 56Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Fat 3g5%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 2g4%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Date paste: If you want to make the Hoisin sauce in a food processor or blender, you can use 2 Medjool dates or 4-5 small dates instead of date paste. Simply add the dates to a small bowl and pour in hot water to just cover the dates. Soak for a couple of minutes until softened. Then discard almost all the soaking water but keep 2 tablespoons and add it to the blender or food processor with all other ingredients. Read the blog post above to find how to make homemade date paste.
Substitute for dates: If you can't have dates, you can use soaked raisins or soaked dried plums instead.
Peanut butter: Traditional Hoisin sauce contains black fermented soybean paste. Since it's unavailable where I live, I used peanut butter for a creamy and thick sauce but feel free to use fermented soybean paste for a more authentic version. Miso paste could be another option.
Five-spice powder: To make your own five-spice powder, mix together the following ground spices: A pinch each of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel seeds. You can also include a pinch of nutmeg. If you don't have all these spices, just use the ones you have. I definitely recommend cinnamon, cloves, and fennel!
Recipe makes about 175 grams (about 3/4 cup). Nutrition facts are for 22 grams (about 1 heaped tablespoon).
This recipe for homemade Hoisin sauce contains mainly pantry ingredients and is quick & easy to make in just a few simple steps. The fragrant, rich, sweet and salty sauce is low in fat, vegan, refined sugar-free, and can be made gluten-free.
Cuisine Chinese
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Servings 8
Ingredients
4 tbsp (64 g) date paste (*see notes)
2 tbsp (32 g) creamy peanut butter (*see notes)
1 tbsp (20 g) maple syrup
1/2 tbsp (10 g) molasses or maple syrup
2 tbsp (20 ml) soy sauce or tamari or coconut aminos
2 tbsp (20 ml) rice vinegar
1 tsp (5 ml) sesame oil
1 tsp hot sauce or more to taste
1 clove garlic finely minced or crushed
1/4 tsp five-spice powder (*see notes)
1/2 tsp cornstarch (optional)
Instructions
Add date paste, peanut butter, maple syrup, and molasses to a medium-sized bowl and stir with a whisk until smooth.
Now add all other ingredients (except the cornstarch) and mix again until combined. You can also blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth.
The sauce is medium thick but if you want it to be even thicker and
smoother, I recommend the saucepan method: Add the ingredients along with the cornstarch to a saucepan and stir with a whisk. Bring to a
simmer and cook on low heat for about 30 seconds.
Taste the sauce and add more soy sauce/rice vinegar/sweetener/hot sauce, etc. if needed. Enjoy as a dip for summer rolls, spring rolls, or as
a sauce for stir-fries!