15 Times Hoisin Sauce Makes Dinner Even Better

Sometimes the one thing missing from your kitchen is a secret ingredient that makes cooking fast, flavorful meals a total cinch. Ingredients like capers can liven up any dish, and preserved lemon will add a boost of flavor to a dull meal in a flash. But one of our favorites is hoisin sauce (a thick sauce commonly used in Chinese cuisine), which makes everything from quick stir-frys to baked salmon taste complex and satisfying in no time. Check out these 15 sweet and savory hoisin sauce recipes — your tastebuds will thank you.

Sweet and Spicy Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts can have a powerful flavor, but if you treat them right, you may be surprised to call them your new favorite veggie. Roast them over high heat to get the best flavor, and then glaze them with a sweet and spicy hoisin sauce to tame any bitterness. (via The Rustic Foodie)

Slow Cooker Hoisin-Chili Chicken Tacos

Fusion tacos are the easiest way to make dinner more exciting. Pair sweet, juicy hoisin-chili chicken with a crunchy slaw, then wrap it all in a warm tortilla. (via Melanie Makes)

Hoisin Glazed Cauliflower

Cauliflower is the vegetable of the moment, and after you try this recipe you’ll see why. A sweet hoisin sauce glaze coats every bite of this steamed veggie, for a dish that tastes nothing like the beige nightmare you ate as a kid. (via Honestly Me)

Sticky Hoisin Chicken

Kids and adults will both go wild for this sweet and sticky chicken dish. It’s better than take-out, but will still satisfy your craving for crispy, saucy chicken. (via Buy This Cook That)

Tempeh Bahn Mi Sandwich

The best way to enjoy a meat-free meal is to pack it with flavor and texture. Stuff a soft baguette with hoisin-glazed tempeh, crunchy quick-pickled veggies, cilantro, and mayo, and you’ve got a sandwich that vegetarians and meat-eaters will both enjoy. (via The New Baguette)

Hoisin Peanut Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes don’t have to come from a can. In this version, they’re made with ground pork that’s stewed in a tangy, sweet, and pungent hoisin-peanut butter sauce, then piled onto fluffy rolls and topped with shredded red cabbage. (via Cooking for Keeps)

Hoisin and Ginger Pork Ribs

They say that pork loves sugar, and these succulent ribs prove it. Each tender bite is shellacked with a gingery hoisin glaze that will have you begging for seconds. (via Eat Little Bird)

Baked Asian Beer Barbecue Chicken Thighs

Juicy chicken thighs are a budget-friendly option that’s surprisingly full of flavor. Top them with a sweet beer barbecue sauce and you’ll be more than happy you skipped over the dry chicken breast. (via The Beeroness)

Hoisin Orange Chicken Meatball Bowl

Meatballs are tasty with so much more than just spaghetti and marinara. Here, they’re nestled into bowls of rice and coated in a citrusy hoisin sauce. (via Seasons and Suppers)

Rice Paper Rolls With Peanut Hoisin Sauce

Fresh rice paper rolls, stuffed with veggies and herbs, beg for a little richness. A thick and luscious peanut dipping sauce is just the thing. (via Wander Cooks)

Hoisin-Glazed Pork Loin

This dish takes less than an hour to cook and only 10 minutes to prepare. Tender, juicy pork tenderloin is brushed with a hoisin glaze, then broiled after baking to create a sugary, crisp crust on top. (via The Seasoned Mom)

30-Minute Hoisin Honey Chicken Stir-Fry

Gluten-free eats are anything but dull when you’re feasting on a stir-fry. This dish is made with chunks of chicken, tossed with a sweet and savory sauce, then paired with lots of veggies to help balance out the meal. (via Wry Toast Eats)

Hoisin Sesame Salmon Bowl

Cauliflower rice keeps this meal low-carb. It’s topped with hoisin-glazed salmon, spiralized carrots, avocado, and a splash of lime juice for a meal that’s as fresh as it is satisfying. (via Salt and Lavender)

Hoisin Pork With Steamed Buns

Unctuous, lightly crisped pork belly meets the perfect contrast when tucked into fluffy steamed buns. Add in a hoisin sauce glaze, some cilantro, and pickled veggies, and you’ll be in heaven. (via China Sichuan Food)

20-Minute Cashew Chicken

If you’re looking for dinner in a hurry, it doesn’t get much easier than this cashew chicken. It’s got everything a good meal needs, including protein, veggies, and lots of big flavors. (via Coffee And Crayons)