Name: Homemade Hoisin Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 12 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 0.25 cup soy sauce 2 tablespoons molasses 2 tablespoons peanut butter 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon honey; 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder; 0.5 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon sriracha; 0.25 teaspoon five-spice powder 1 tablespoon cornstarch 2 tablespoons water

There’s something incredibly satisfying about making your own sauces from scratch, especially when it involves bold, savory flavors like those in hoisin sauce. This homemade version skips the preservatives and delivers deep umami, subtle sweetness, and that perfect hint of spice that you just can’t beat with store-bought.

Whether you’re glazing meat, stirring it into noodles, or dipping your favorite spring rolls, this homemade hoisin sauce adds a rich punch to every bite. It’s quick to whip up with pantry staples and keeps well, making it a must-have condiment in any home cook’s repertoire.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Hoisin Sauce

It’s rich, thick, and full of balanced flavors. You get the sweetness of molasses and honey, the depth from miso or soy sauce, the tang of rice vinegar, and that subtle heat from garlic and chili. The beauty lies in its versatility – brush it on grilled meats, toss it into stir-fries, or use it as a dipping sauce for dumplings.

Making it at home means you can control the ingredients and adjust it to your liking – sweeter, spicier, or even gluten-free. It’s also budget-friendly and perfect for meal prep.

What Is Hoisin Sauce Made Of Anyway?

Hoisin sauce is traditionally a fermented soybean-based condiment, popular in Chinese cuisine. While commercial versions use ingredients like starches and food coloring, this homemade rendition sticks to natural components while still achieving the signature taste and glossy texture. The key elements are a sweetener (like molasses), umami depth (miso or soy sauce), and a hint of spice and acid to round things out.

Ingredients for the Homemade Hoisin Sauce Recipe

Homemade sauces often outperform store-bought versions because you can tweak every element to suit your tastes. For this hoisin sauce, all you need are simple ingredients that likely already live in your pantry. Each one plays a key role in building that rich, balanced flavor profile.

Soy Sauce
Molasses
Peanut Butter
Rice Vinegar
Honey
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Sriracha or Chili Sauce
Five-Spice Powder
Cornstarch + Water

Each of these brings something important: soy sauce delivers salty umami depth, molasses adds a smoky sweetness, and peanut butter mimics the traditional fermented soy flavor while giving creaminess. Rice vinegar lifts it with tang, honey balances the savory, and garlic and onion powders round it out. Sriracha provides heat, five-spice powder adds warm complexity, and a little cornstarch slurry gives that signature hoisin thickness.

How To Make the Homemade Hoisin Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Combine Base Ingredients

In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together soy sauce, molasses, peanut butter, rice vinegar, honey, garlic powder, onion powder, sriracha, and five-spice powder. Keep stirring until smooth and fully combined.

Step 2: Simmer and Thicken

Let the mixture simmer gently for about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid sticking and ensure everything is well incorporated.

Step 3: Add Slurry and Finish

In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water into a smooth slurry. Slowly pour it into the saucepan while whisking to avoid lumps. Continue to cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.

Step 4: Cool and Store

Remove from heat and let the sauce cool completely. Transfer it to a clean glass jar and refrigerate. It’ll keep well for up to 2 weeks.

How to Serve and Store Your Homemade Hoisin Sauce

This sauce is a game-changer in your condiment lineup. Drizzle it over grilled chicken or salmon, use it as a glaze for meatballs, or stir it into fried rice or lo mein. It also makes an excellent dip for egg rolls or lettuce wraps.

Once made, store your homemade hoisin sauce in a sealed jar in the refrigerator. It stays fresh and flavorful for up to two weeks. This batch serves about 6 to 8 people, depending on how it’s used.

What to Serve With Homemade Hoisin Sauce?

Grilled Chicken Skewers

Perfect for brushing with hoisin sauce right off the grill for a glossy, flavorful finish.

Stir-Fried Vegetables

Add a spoonful into your wok at the end for an instant flavor boost.

Lettuce Wraps

Spoon hoisin into wraps with ground meat, shredded carrots, and herbs.

Spring Rolls

Use as a dipping sauce paired with peanut or chili oil sauces.

Fried Rice

Stir a little hoisin in for sweetness and umami that lifts the dish.

Dumplings

Hoisin is a delicious sidekick for steamed or pan-fried dumplings.

Tofu Bowls

Drizzle it over crispy tofu and rice bowls for an Asian-inspired meal.

Asian Noodle Dishes

It mixes beautifully into lo mein, soba, or ramen for a savory kick.

Want More Sauce Ideas?

If you’re a fan of flavorful sauces like this one, here are some more you’ll love:

Try this creamy twist on pasta with the Creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta.
For a comfort meal sidekick, you’ll love the rich Ooey Gooey Butter Cake.
These Crispy Jalapeno Popper Egg Rolls are another great dipping candidate for hoisin sauce.
Use hoisin as a glaze next time you make Herby Chicken Meatball Bowl.
And if you love easy sauces, don’t miss the Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce for something totally different.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest sauce board so you can come back to it any time.

Let me know in the comments how your homemade hoisin turned out. Did you keep it classic or adjust it to your taste? Maybe extra spicy? Or a touch more sweet?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Feel free to ask questions too – let’s keep learning from each other.

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks, weeknight meals, and cozy desserts over on Janet Dishes on Pinterest and discover your next kitchen obsession.

Conclusion

Making your own hoisin sauce from scratch is easier than it sounds and delivers huge flavor rewards. With just a few ingredients and minutes, you can elevate any dish with this sweet, salty, spicy condiment. Once you try it, you may never go back to the store-bought bottle again.