Gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, driven by a rise in gluten intolerance and celiac disease diagnoses as well as a general interest in eliminating gluten from one’s diet. For those avoiding gluten, finding safe and tasty gluten-free versions of foods containing wheat, barley and rye can be challenging. Hoisin sauce is one such food that traditionally contains wheat, but thankfully there are a growing number of brands offering gluten-free hoisin sauce options.
What is hoisin sauce?
Hoisin sauce is a thick, fragrant sauce commonly used in Chinese cuisine as a glaze, marinade or dipping sauce. It has a sweet, salty and slightly spicy taste profile. The main ingredients in hoisin sauce are fermented soybean paste, sugar, vinegar, garlic, chilies and spices. Traditionally hoisin sauce contains wheat, usually in the form of wheat flour. The wheat adds thickness, sweetness and texture to the sauce. For those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, wheat-containing hoisin sauce is off limits.
Why choose gluten-free hoisin sauce?
For individuals avoiding gluten, using a gluten-free hoisin sauce eliminates the risk of adverse reactions that can range from gastrointestinal distress to long-term health consequences. Even small amounts of gluten can trigger symptoms and damage to the small intestine for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Thankfully, with the rise in gluten-free products, there are now many options to choose from when it comes to gluten-free hoisin sauce.
What to look for in gluten-free hoisin sauce
When evaluating gluten-free hoisin sauces, you’ll want to look for a few key characteristics:
- Certified gluten-free – The product should be certified gluten-free to at least 20 ppm by an independent organization like GFCO.
- No wheat-based ingredients – Scan the ingredients list to ensure no wheat, barley, rye or malt is included.
- Thick, smooth texture – A good gluten-free hoisin should have a smooth, thick texture without being overly sticky or thin.
- Balanced sweet and salty taste – Quality hoisin sauce should have a balanced profile of sweet, salty, and umami.
- Spices and garlic – The sauce should be aromatic with notes of garlic, five-spice and chilies.
Also check that the brand has good manufacturing practices in place to avoid cross-contamination with gluten. Reputable gluten-free brands will often state that the product is produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility.
Reviews of popular gluten-free hoisin sauces
To help you find a quality gluten-free hoisin sauce, here are reviews of some top products on the market:
1. Lee Kum Kee Panda Brand Hoisin Sauce
Lee Kum Kee’s Panda Brand Hoisin Sauce is certified gluten-free to less than 5 ppm. Made without wheat, this sauce has the thick, rich texture and balanced sweet-salty taste that characterizes authentic hoisin. Garlic, vinegar and spices like Chinese five-spice give it a robust flavor profile. Users praise its suitability for cooking and marinating meats as well as vegetables like eggplant. The hoisin also works well as a dipping sauce. Lee Kum Kee manufactures the sauce in a dedicated gluten-free facility.
2. Roland Hoisin Sauce
Roland Hoisin Sauce is another popular gluten-free option. Certified gluten-free to less than 5 ppm, this hoisin gets its thickness from corn starch instead of wheat. The sauce has a molasses-like consistency and robust flavor. It strikes a nice balance between sweet and salty tastes, with a hint of spice and smoke from chilies and garlic. The hoisin works well as a base for meat marinades and as a finishing sauce for chicken, beef or pork dishes. Roland produces the sauce in a dedicated allergen-free facility.
3. Silver Palm Gluten Free Hoisin Sauce
Silver Palm’s gluten-free hoisin sauce is certified gluten-free to less than 5 ppm. The sauce gets great reviews for its authentic flavor, rivaling wheat-based hoisin sauces. It has a thick consistency thanks to bean paste and tapioca starch. The flavor profile balances sweet molasses and sugar flavors with umami from soybeans, a hint of chili spice and garlic. Users love it for cooking Asian-inspired meat, seafood and veggie dishes. Silver Palm produces the sauce in a dedicated gluten-free facility.
4. Marja’s Gluten Free Hoisin Sauce
Marja’s hoisin is a smaller artisanal brand produced in a dedicated gluten-free kitchen. This hoisin sauce is certified gluten-free to less than 5 ppm, made without gluten-containing ingredients. The flavor has been described as authentic tasting, with a good balance of sweet and salty. The sauce contains black bean paste, cane sugar, garlic, arrowroot and Chinese five-spice. Customers report it works great as a sauce for meatballs, stir fries and even egg rolls. The thinner consistency makes it suitable for mixing into marinades or dipping.
5. Soy Vay Veri Veri Teriyaki Gluten-Free Hoisin Sauce
Soy Vay’s Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce blends hoisin with teriyaki for a unique gluten-free sauce. It contains hoisin ingredients like sweet bean paste, vinegar, sugar, sesame oil and spices. The teriyaki adds a subtly smokey flavor. The consistency is thinner than traditional hoisin but thicker than straight teriyaki sauce. It works well for dipping, marinading chicken, beef and pork or using as a base for Asian-inspired rice and noodle bowls. Soy Vay produces the sauce in a dedicated gluten-free facility.
Tips for using gluten-free hoisin sauce
Hoisin sauce is very versatile in cooking. Here are some tips for incorporating gluten-free hoisin into your recipes:
- Use it to glaze meat before grilling, roasting or broiling – the sauce caramelizes nicely.
- Mix with peanut butter as a sauce for chicken satay skewers or spring rolls.
- Add to stir fries and noodle dishes for flavor.
- Make a dipping sauce by combining with rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil and chili paste.
- Use as a base sauce for bowls, combining with rice, veggies and proteins.
- Make a marinade for beef, pork, chicken or seafood with hoisin, oil, vinegar and garlic.
- Brush on pork ribs before roasting or grilling for delicious sticky glaze.
The sweet and salty profile of hoisin sauce enhances many savory flavors. Get creative with your recipes to enjoy this versatile sauce gluten-free.
Homemade gluten-free hoisin sauce recipe
Want to try making your own gluten-free hoisin at home? Here is a recipe to try:
Ingredients
- 1 cup sweet bean paste or tianmianjiang
- 1/2 cup peanut butter or almond butter
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey or brown rice syrup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the sweet bean paste, peanut butter, vinegar, honey, oil and garlic until smooth.
- Add the five-spice powder, ginger, red pepper flakes and salt to taste.
- Whisk well to fully incorporate spices.
- Transfer hoisin sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Making your own gluten-free hoisin allows you to control the quality of ingredients. Adjust spices to your taste preference and use your favorite brands of bean paste, peanut butter and vinegar.
Conclusion
Gluten-free hoisin sauce opens up a world of delicious Chinese dishes to those on a gluten-free diet. When purchasing, look for reputable brands with gluten-free certification and no wheat-based ingredients. Lee Kum Kee, Roland and Silver Palm all offer quality gluten-free hoisin sauces. Or get creative in the kitchen and make your own homemade version. With its balance of sweet and salty flavors, hoisin sauce can liven up many meals. Use it for dipping sauces, marinades, glazes and any recipe calling for that unmistakable hoisin kick.
