Hoisin Peanut Sauce (Tương Chấm Gỏi Cuốn)

Name: Hoisin Peanut Sauce (Tương Chấm Gỏi Cuốn)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp cooking oil; 2 cloves garlic ((finely chopped)); 4 tbsp smooth peanut butter; 3 tbsp hoisin sauce; 3 tbsp sugar; 1/2 cup water ((or chicken and pork stock)); 1/4 lemon's juice; 1 tsp sesame oil; crushed peanuts ((optional))

You can’t have Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls without some wickedly thick Hoisin Peanut Sauce! It’s a creamy, savory and sweet dip that tastes luxurious and yet is so simple to make. This recipe uses store-bought sauces so all you have to do it mix them over low heat, then voilà – it’s ready for dipping!

The dip made for Vietnamese rice paper rolls

I can’t have my rice paper rolls without Hoisin Peanut Sauce, period. It’s like trying to eat Stuffed Tofu without any gravy or Vietnamese Chicken Ragu without bread or rice.

It’s simply unheard of!

Now, if you’re anything like me, you’ll be loading each Gỏi Cuốn with the dip as if you’ll never get a chance to eat it again. Trust me, it’s that good.

There are actually many different versions of this recipe out there. But what I find is that many of them end up being quite watery.

And while some of you might prefer that, personally I like mine super thick and creamy so the nuttiness smothers over every crevice.

You can also trust that in this family recipe, you’ll be able to taste both the hoisin AND the peanut flavor. There’s enough of both ingredients for that perfect balance of sweet and savory!

A rice paper roll dipping into Hoisin Peanut Sauce.

Why this recipe works

Adding lime juice balances the richness with zest.
Fried garlic infuses every ingredient with an aromatic flavor.
Drizzling in a touch of sesame oil gives a boost of nuttiness.

What you’ll need

Dishes of chicken stock, peanut butter, hoisin sauce, chopped garlic, sesame oil, oil, sugar and a lime wedge.

About the peanut butter

We like to get smooth peanut butter for this dip, but you can also go for the crunchy version to get more texture.

How to make this recipe

Start by heating up the oil in a small pan. Lower the heat to a low-medium and brown the garlic for 1 minute.

Add the hoisin sauce, peanut butter and sugar, mixing until well combined.

Adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding water or stock until it reaches a consistency you like.

A hand squeezing half a lemon's juice into a pot of sauce.

Add the lemon juice and stir until combined.

To finish it off, drizzle in the sesame oil and give it a stir. Garnish it with crushed peanuts before serving.

Dunk some Gỏi Cuốn (Vietnamese Summer Rolls) or Bò Bía (Rice Paper Rolls with Chinese Sausage and Eggs) into the dip to complete this summer dream!

Recipe FAQs

What can be substituted for hoisin sauce?

For the sharp sweet and savory flavor profile, bean paste, teriyaki or Worcestershire come close. Otherwise, you can make your own following the recipe from Maggie over at Omnivore’s Cookbook.

What can I substitute for peanut butter?

To get the nutty creaminess, you can try using Biscoff spread, sunflower seed butter or sweetened tahini (add sugar to taste). Alternatively, skip the ingredient altogether and reduce the amount of hoisin to dilute some of its sharpness.

Tips for the best results

Cook over a low heat. This prevents the sauces from burning.
Add the liquid in slowly. You can adjust the consistency your liking by pouring in a little of the water or stock at a time while stirring. Stop when you’ve found the perfect balance.
Stir constantly. The sauces will heat up and bubble quickly, so it’s important to stir to remove the clumps and keep everything smooth.

Check out our favorite homemade sauces!

Vietnamese Dipping Sauce (Nước Mắm) – Other than the Hoisin Peanut Sauce, this is another classic that is often served with Summer Rolls.
Lemongrass Chili Sauce (Sa Tế) – Drizzle this over anything from meats to vegetables to noodles to rice for maximum flavor.
Sichuan Garlic Chili Oil – Get a spicy kick out of every dish from this homemade hot oil that can be customized to your own taste.
Ginger Scallion Oil (薑蔥油) – Our most popular way to dress up your meal. It’s so easy to make with just 4 ingredients!

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