🍯 Sauces & Condiments

ABC Sweet Soy Sauce Substitute: Popular Brand Alternative

Discover the best ABC sweet soy sauce substitutes for authentic Indonesian cooking. Learn proper ratios and techniques to replicate the popular ABC brand's kecap manis flavor and consistency.

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Quick Answer

The best ABC sweet soy sauce substitutes are hoisin sauce (1:1 ratio), regular soy sauce with palm sugar (1:1 soy + 1 tsp palm sugar per tbsp), or regular soy sauce with brown sugar and molasses (1:1 soy + 1 tsp brown sugar + 1/2 tsp molasses per tbsp). ABC is a popular Indonesian brand known for its thick, sweet kecap manis.

Best Substitutes

Hoisin Sauce

1:1

Hoisin sauce is the closest substitute to ABC sweet soy sauce. It has the same thick consistency, intense sweetness, and complex flavor that's characteristic of the popular ABC brand.

Best for:

Indonesian cookingnasi gorengIndonesian satayIndonesian marinadesIndonesian glazes

Very sweet and thick, closest to ABC sweet soy sauce

Soy Sauce + Palm Sugar

1:1 soy sauce + 1 tsp palm sugar per tbsp

Combining regular soy sauce with palm sugar creates the most authentic substitute for ABC sweet soy sauce. Palm sugar is the traditional sweetener used in Indonesian cooking and provides the characteristic caramel-like sweetness of ABC brand.

Best for:

authentic Indonesian cookingnasi gorengIndonesian sataytraditional Indonesian dishes

Most authentic substitute using traditional Indonesian ingredients

Soy Sauce + Brown Sugar + Molasses

1:1 soy sauce + 1 tsp brown sugar + 1/2 tsp molasses per tbsp

When palm sugar isn't available, brown sugar with molasses provides a similar caramel-like sweetness that mimics ABC sweet soy sauce. The molasses adds the characteristic dark color and depth of the ABC brand.

Best for:

Indonesian cookingnasi gorengIndonesian satayIndonesian marinades

Good substitute when palm sugar isn't available

Teriyaki Sauce

1:1

Teriyaki sauce provides a sweet and savory flavor similar to ABC sweet soy sauce. While not as authentic as hoisin, it works well in most Indonesian dishes that call for ABC brand.

Best for:

Indonesian stir-friesIndonesian marinadesIndonesian glazesgeneral Indonesian cooking

Sweet and savory, good for Indonesian cooking but less authentic

Oyster Sauce

1:1

Oyster sauce is naturally sweet and has a thick consistency similar to ABC sweet soy sauce. It works well in Indonesian stir-fries and vegetable dishes that typically use ABC brand.

Best for:

Indonesian stir-friesIndonesian vegetable dishesIndonesian marinadesIndonesian glazes

Naturally sweet and thick, good for Indonesian stir-fries

Coconut Aminos + Coconut Sugar

1:1 coconut aminos + 1 tsp coconut sugar per tbsp

For those avoiding soy and gluten, coconut aminos with coconut sugar provides a sweet and savory profile suitable for Indonesian cooking while meeting dietary restrictions and replicating ABC brand characteristics.

Best for:

soy-free Indonesian cookinggluten-free Indonesian dishesIndonesian marinadesIndonesian glazes

Soy-free and gluten-free option for Indonesian cooking

Cooking Tips

  • 💡ABC sweet soy sauce is known for its thick consistency and intense sweetness
  • 💡Add ABC sweet soy sauce substitutes at the end of cooking to prevent burning
  • 💡ABC sweet soy sauce is used in combination with regular soy sauce in many Indonesian dishes
  • 💡For authentic ABC flavor, use palm sugar instead of regular sugar
  • 💡ABC sweet soy sauce works best in stir-fries, marinades, and glazes
  • 💡Store homemade ABC sweet soy sauce substitutes in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks
  • 💡ABC sweet soy sauce is thicker and sweeter than regular soy sauce

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ABC sweet soy sauce?

ABC sweet soy sauce is a popular Indonesian brand of kecap manis (sweet soy sauce). It's known for its thick consistency, intense sweetness, and distinctive flavor that's widely used in Indonesian cooking.

Is hoisin sauce a good substitute for ABC sweet soy sauce?

Yes, hoisin sauce is the best substitute for ABC sweet soy sauce. It has the same thick consistency, intense sweetness, and complex flavor that's characteristic of the popular ABC brand.

What makes ABC sweet soy sauce different from other brands?

ABC sweet soy sauce is known for its particularly thick consistency, intense sweetness, and distinctive flavor profile. It's one of the most popular brands of kecap manis in Indonesia and is widely used in Indonesian cooking.

Can I use regular soy sauce with palm sugar for ABC sweet soy sauce?

Yes, combining regular soy sauce with palm sugar is the most authentic substitute for ABC sweet soy sauce. Palm sugar is the traditional sweetener used in Indonesian cooking and provides the characteristic caramel-like sweetness of ABC brand.

What's the best substitute for nasi goreng using ABC brand?

For nasi goreng that typically uses ABC brand, hoisin sauce or soy sauce with palm sugar work best as substitutes. They provide the authentic sweetness and thickness that's characteristic of ABC sweet soy sauce.

Can I use brown sugar instead of palm sugar for ABC sweet soy sauce?

Yes, but for more authentic ABC flavor, add molasses to mimic the caramel-like sweetness of palm sugar. Mix 1 tablespoon of soy sauce with 1 teaspoon of brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of molasses.

How do I make ABC sweet soy sauce at home?

Mix 1 cup of regular soy sauce with 1/2 cup of palm sugar and 2 tablespoons of molasses. Simmer gently for 10-15 minutes until thickened to a syrup consistency similar to ABC brand. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Summary

Find the best ABC sweet soy sauce substitutes for authentic Indonesian cooking. Learn proper ratios and techniques to replicate the popular ABC brand's kecap manis flavor and consistency.