🍯 Sauces & Condiments

Sweet Soy Sauce Substitute: for Sweet and Savory Dishes

Discover the best sweet soy sauce substitutes including hoisin sauce, teriyaki sauce, and homemade sweet soy sauce. Learn proper ratios and cooking techniques for perfect sweet and savory balance.

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Quick Answer

The best sweet soy sauce substitutes are hoisin sauce (1:1 ratio), teriyaki sauce (1:1 ratio), or regular soy sauce with brown sugar (1:1 soy sauce + 1 tsp brown sugar per tbsp). Sweet soy sauce combines umami with sweetness for glazes and marinades.

Best Substitutes

Hoisin Sauce

1:1

Hoisin sauce is much sweeter than sweet soy sauce but provides similar thickness and color. It's perfect for glazes and marinades where you want extra sweetness and depth of flavor.

Best for:

marinadesglazessweet and sour dishesChinese cookingbarbecue

Very sweet and thick, perfect for glazes and marinades

Teriyaki Sauce

1:1

Teriyaki sauce combines soy sauce with sugar and mirin, creating a sweet and savory flavor similar to sweet soy sauce. It's perfect for marinades and glazes.

Best for:

marinadesglazesstir-friesgrilled dishesJapanese cooking

Sweet and savory, similar flavor profile to sweet soy sauce

Soy Sauce + Brown Sugar

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

Mix regular soy sauce with brown sugar to create a sweet and savory combination that mimics sweet soy sauce. This is the most accessible substitute using common pantry ingredients.

Best for:

marinadesglazessaucesstir-friesgeneral cooking

Simple combination that adds sweetness to regular soy sauce

Tamari + Honey

1:1 tamari + 1 tsp honey per tbsp

Combine tamari with honey for a gluten-free sweet soy sauce substitute. The honey adds natural sweetness while the tamari provides the umami base flavor.

Best for:

gluten-free cookingmarinadesglazesstir-friessauces

Gluten-free option with natural sweetness

Coconut Aminos + Maple Syrup

1:1 coconut aminos + 1 tsp maple syrup per tbsp

For those avoiding soy and gluten, coconut aminos combined with maple syrup provides a sweet and savory profile similar to sweet soy sauce while meeting dietary restrictions.

Best for:

soy-free dietsgluten-free cookingPaleo cookingmarinadesglazes

Soy-free and gluten-free with natural sweetness

Oyster Sauce

1:1

Oyster sauce is naturally sweet and has a thick consistency similar to sweet soy sauce. It provides rich umami flavor with natural sweetness, making it an excellent substitute.

Best for:

Chinese stir-friesmarinadesglazesvegetable dishes

Naturally sweet and thick, similar consistency to sweet soy sauce

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Sweet soy sauce is used primarily for glazes, marinades, and sweet and savory dishes
  • 💡Add sweet soy sauce substitutes gradually to achieve the desired sweetness level
  • 💡Sweet soy sauce works best in braised dishes, glazes, and marinades
  • 💡For authentic Asian cooking, hoisin sauce or teriyaki sauce work best
  • 💡Sweet soy sauce substitutes should be added earlier in cooking to develop flavor
  • 💡Store homemade sweet soy sauce substitutes in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks
  • 💡Sweet soy sauce is often used in combination with regular soy sauce in recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sweet soy sauce?

Sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) is a thick, sweet Indonesian soy sauce made with palm sugar or cane sugar. It's used for glazes, marinades, and sweet and savory dishes.

Is hoisin sauce a good substitute for sweet soy sauce?

Yes, hoisin sauce is an excellent substitute for sweet soy sauce. It's very sweet and thick, making it perfect for glazes and marinades. Use it in a 1:1 ratio.

Can I use teriyaki sauce instead of sweet soy sauce?

Yes, teriyaki sauce works well as a substitute for sweet soy sauce. It has a similar sweet and savory flavor profile and is perfect for marinades and glazes.

How do I make sweet soy sauce at home?

Mix 1 cup of regular soy sauce with 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of molasses. Simmer gently for 10 minutes until thickened. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

What's the best sweet soy sauce substitute for Indonesian cooking?

For authentic Indonesian cooking, hoisin sauce is the closest substitute. You can also make a homemade version by combining soy sauce with palm sugar or brown sugar.

Can I use regular soy sauce with sugar as a substitute?

Yes, mixing regular soy sauce with brown sugar or honey is a simple and effective substitute for sweet soy sauce. Use 1 teaspoon of sugar per tablespoon of soy sauce.

Is oyster sauce a good substitute for sweet soy sauce?

Oyster sauce can work as a substitute for sweet soy sauce as it's naturally sweet and thick. However, it has a different flavor profile with shellfish, so it may not be suitable for all recipes.

Summary

Find the best sweet soy sauce substitutes including hoisin sauce, teriyaki sauce, and homemade sweet soy sauce. Learn proper ratios and cooking tips for perfect sweet and savory balance.