Dinner

Homemade Hoisin Sauce Recipe

Name: Homemade Hoisin Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1/4 cup soy sauce (light sodium); 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter (unsweetened); 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey); 1 tablespoon chili sauce; 1 tablespoon molasses; 2 teaspoons rice vinegar; 2 teaspoons sesame oil; 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger; 1/8 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon miso paste; 1 teaspoon cornstarch; 2 tablespoons water

ByLila Prescott January 21, 2026January 21, 2026

Jump to Recipe

Introduction

This homemade hoisin sauce is a flavorful and versatile condiment perfect for adding a sweet and savory kick to your meals. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s great as a dip, marinade, or stir-fry ingredient. Six servings of rich, balanced sauce await your next culinary adventure.

This image shows a thick, smooth, dark brown sauce with a glossy texture inside a white ramekin. A wooden spoon lifts some sauce above the ramekin, showing the sauce’s rich, creamy consistency. The sauce’s surface is shiny, with small bumps and slight ripples. The white ramekin sits on a white marbled surface sprinkled with small black specks and bits of green herbs. In the bottom part of the image, a smear of the sauce is spread on the surface with tiny pieces of green herbs and peanuts visible around it. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/4 cup soy sauce (light sodium)
2 tablespoons natural peanut butter (unsweetened)

2 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey)
1 tablespoon chili sauce

1 tablespoon molasses
2 teaspoons rice vinegar

2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon miso paste
1 teaspoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons water

Instructions

Step 1: Add all the sauce ingredients except cornstarch and water to a small saucepan over medium-high heat and whisk to combine.
Step 2: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and let it simmer gently.

Step 3: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water until fully dissolved.
Step 4: Whisk the cornstarch mixture into the saucepan and continue simmering until the sauce begins to thicken.
Step 5: If the sauce thickens too much, gradually add boiling water, one tablespoon at a time, to reach your desired consistency.

Step 6: Remove from heat and let the sauce cool; it will thicken further as it cools.
Step 7: Serve as a dip, drizzle over stir-fries, or use as a flavorful marinade.

Tips & Variations

For a nut-free version, substitute peanut butter with tahini or sunflower seed butter.

Add extra chili sauce or a pinch of cayenne for a spicier kick.
If you prefer a smoother texture, blend the sauce briefly after cooking.
Adjust sweetness by swapping maple syrup for honey or brown sugar.

Storage

Store the hoisin sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave before using, stirring to restore smoothness. If the sauce thickens too much after storage, stir in a little warm water to loosen it.

How to Serve

A white ribbed ramekin filled with thick, glossy dark brown sauce, showing a slightly textured surface. A wooden spoon lifts some sauce above the ramekin, with the sauce slowly dripping back, highlighting its rich and smooth consistency. The ramekin is on a white marbled surface with small black specks and scattered chopped green herbs and bits of peanuts, adding contrast and color. There is a smear of sauce and some scattered green herbs in the foreground. The background is softly blurred, giving focus to the sauce and spoon. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make hoisin sauce without peanut butter?

Yes, you can replace peanut butter with tahini, sunflower seed butter, or omit it entirely, though the sauce may be less creamy and slightly different in flavor.