Have you ever looked at the back of a bottle of hoisin sauce? There are a lot of ingredients in it, some of which I'd rather avoid, which is why I prefer to make my own.
Hoisin sauce is typically added to stir-fries and soups, and sometimes it’s drizzled over steamed Asian greens like bok choy or used as a dipping sauce for crispy tofu and salad rolls. I like to think of it as an Asian barbecue sauce.
Hoisin Sauce
Makes about 1/2 cup- 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spice
- Pinch cayenne (or more)
Tasty Tips
- You can use smooth or chunky peanut butter.
- Raw garlic can be substituted for garlic powder.
- Chinese five spice is what gives this sauce its signature flavor. It can be found in most spice sections at the grocery store. It’s made from cinnamon, fennel seeds, star anise, Sichuan peppercorn, and cloves.
