Quick and Tangy Chinese Barbecue Sauce

Elevate your next meal with this Quick and Tangy Chinese Barbecue Sauce, a bold and flavorful condiment perfect for marinades, glazes, and dipping. Made with a rich base of hoisin sauce and enhanced by soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a touch of honey for sweetness, this recipe balances salty, sweet, and tangy notes beautifully. Fresh ginger, minced garlic, and a pinch of Chinese five-spice powder add depth and warmth, while optional red pepper flakes deliver a gentle kick of heat. Ready in just 15 minutes, this versatile sauce is simmered to perfection for a silky texture and can be stored for up to a week. Whether you're glazing grilled meats, stir-frying vegetables, or looking for a dipping sauce with flair, this Chinese barbecue sauce is your go-to recipe for unforgettable Asian-inspired flavor.

Nutriscore Rating: 45/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 0.5 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
• 2 tablespoons water

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sesame oil. Stir thoroughly to blend the ingredients.

Step 2

Add the grated ginger, minced garlic, Chinese five-spice powder, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the saucepan.

Step 3

Stir in the water to thin the mixture slightly and ensure the sauce has a smooth consistency.

Step 4

Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer for 5-7 minutes until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld together.

Step 6

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed (e.g., more soy sauce for saltiness or honey for sweetness).

Step 7

Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature.

Step 8

Use immediately as a marinade, glaze, or dipping sauce, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(398.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	847.7

Total Fat 22.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 3.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.2g
Cholesterol 7.7mg	0%
Sodium 5304.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 152.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.0g	0%
Total Sugars 104.6g
Protein 12.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 108.0mg	0%
Iron 3.6mg	0%
Potassium 468.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 23.9%

Protein: 5.6%

Carbs: 70.5%