Did you try the sweet soy glaze from HelloFresh and you just can't get enough? If so, you're probably dying to know the recipe so you can make it yourself. Well, you've come to the right place. We've dug up the recipe and provided this guide to save you time.
- Gather ingredients
- Combine all ingredients in a pan
- Simmer
- Cool
You're probably wondering what ingredients you will need to create this sauce. And how long do you need to let it simmer and cool? Keep reading to learn all about making this tasty sauce at home.
Can You Make HelloFresh's Sweet Soy Glaze at Home?
Yes! This delicious sauce is pretty easy to recreate at home without having to order a meal kit each time you're craving it. It requires some pretty basic, easy-to-find ingredients and a single large pan to cook.
1. Gather Your Ingredients
To get started, you'll need to gather up all of your ingredients. Many of the items you'll need are common kitchen staples, so you likely have some of them in your pantry already. The other items are all typically available at most grocery stores. For this recipe you will need to use:
1/2 cup of soy sauce (you can use regular or low-sodium options)
2/3 cup of brown sugar
1/3 cup of white granulated sugar
1/4 cup of water
12 teaspoons of fresh ginger root (grated, ground into a paste, or finely minced)
2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons of rice vinegar
Marukan Genuine Rice Vinegar
Rice vinegar is one ingredient that some stores may not keep in stock. Luckily it's readily available online if you have a hard time finding it, and this bottle has enough to make several batches of sweet soy glaze.
Click here to see this rice vinegar on Amazon.
2. Combine All Ingredients
Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl, then transfer the mixture into a pan. You can mix the ingredients directly in a large, deep pan, but be careful not to spill any. Make sure to stir the mixture well, distributing the flavors of each ingredient thoroughly.
Caraway Non-Stick Saute Pan
This skillet is a great option for making sticky glazes. Its non-stick coating will ensure a quick and easy cleanup, even while making the sweetest of sauces.
Click here to take a look at this skillet on Amazon.
3. Simmer
Place the pan on the burner and set the heat to medium to bring the mixture to a simmer. Once the liquid begins to simmer, turn the heat back down to low.
Make sure you stir the mixture every few minutes to prevent it from burning. After around half an hour or once the mixture has begun to reduce and thicken slightly, remove the pan from heat.
4. Cool Down
The mixture should be left to cool for at least an hour before being used in your recipe. This will give the sauce time to thicken up and create the sticky texture desired. After the glaze has thickened, you can use it however you like—top off some pork, drizzle it on salmon, glaze some chicken, and so much more.
Is There A Store-Bought Version I Can Try?
While HelloFresh does sell some sauce packets solo, sometimes one packet at a time just isn't enough, and they require a subscription. Other pre-made sweet soy glazes come pretty close. However, you won't get the exact same flavor as using fresh, preservative-free ingredients like with the recipe provided here.
Kikkoman Sweet Soy Glaze
This sweet soy glaze is rumored to be the closest in taste to the HelloFresh recipe. It comes in a pack of two, so you'll have enough to make a variety of meals with it.
Click here to check out this sweet soy glaze on Amazon.
What Can I Use In Place Of Sweet Soy Glaze?
As a quick and simple substitute for sweet soy glaze, mix together 1 cup of water, 1 cup of soy sauce, and 3/4 of a cup of honey. Place the mixture into a pan and simmer for half an hour, stirring occasionally. The mixture will reduce and will require a cool-down period before it thickens up completely.
Amazon Brand Happy Belly Clover Honey
This 1 pound bottle of honey is a great option for anyone who uses a lot of honey in their sauces and glazes. There's enough to last through multiple recipes.
Click here to see this honey on Amazon.
Is Sweet Soy Glaze The Same As Soy Sauce?
No, soy sauce is the main ingredient in a sweet soy glaze, but it's not the same. Soy sauce has a very salty flavor on its own, so to make a sweet soy glaze, you need to add sugar and other sweet ingredients like ginger.
Soy sauce is also a very thin liquid that doesn't stick to food like a glaze would, which is again, thanks to the sugar content.
Is Hoisin Sauce The Same As Sweet Soy Glaze?
No, hoisin sauce and sweet soy glaze use very different ingredients. Hoisin sauce contains more savory herbs and spices, like garlic and chilis, and presents a very sweet yet salty flavor. It's also much thicker in consistency, resembling barbecue sauce more than a glaze.
Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce
This hoisin sauce is from one of the most well-known brands and tends to be a hit. It comes in a large 36-ounce bottle, so there's plenty to go around.
Click here to take a look at this sauce on Amazon.
Is Dark Soy Sauce The Same As Sweet Soy Glaze?
No, while dark soy sauce is thicker than traditional soy sauce and has a slightly sweeter taste, it is nowhere near as sweet or thick as a sweet soy glaze.
The two sauces are not interchangeable. When used in recipes, dark soy sauce even behaves differently than regular soy sauce, so they shouldn't be substituted for each other either. Dark soy sauce is most commonly used as a glaze for meat or as a dipping sauce.
Is Teriyaki The Same As Sweet Soy Glaze?
No, although teriyaki is incredibly similar, it has a few ingredients that sweet soy glaze lacks. Garlic is the biggest difference in the ingredients and adds a much more savory flavor to the teriyaki sauce. Green onions are another savory ingredient used to create teriyaki that soy glaze doesn't include.
Can I Use Teriyaki To Replace Sweet Soy Glaze?
Generally, teriyaki is a good substitute for sweet soy glaze, but it doesn't have quite the same consistency. The flavors are very similar, so teriyaki can be used in a pinch if you can't find or make your own sweet soy glaze. You will notice a small difference in the taste too, but this trick can save a meal.
Kikkoman Teriyaki Sauce & Marinade
This bottle of teriyaki sauce is just over a quart, making it the perfect choice when you are cooking in large batches or if you want to use it for multiple meals. It works great as a marinade, or you can use it for a dipping sauce.
Click here to take a look at this sauce on Amazon.
How Do You Use Sweet Soy Glaze?
Sweet soy glaze has a ton of different uses, making it a very versatile condiment. You can use it to coat meat or drizzle it on top.
It works great as a dipping sauce for such, fries, onion rings, and more. It can even be used to coat a stir fry or on top of a burger. If you love the sauce, feel free to experiment with it and try new combos.
Do You Put Glaze On Before Or After Cooking?
This depends on what you're cooking and how it's being prepared. If you are glazing meat, you should apply the glaze within the last half hour of cooking so the glaze doesn't burn.
For stir fry, you can add the glaze after the food is done cooking and mix it to coat the ingredients well. Other times, you may want to just use the glaze as a pour-over topping or condiment instead.
In Closing
Now that you know how to make your own sweet soy glaze at home and more about the glaze itself, you're ready to start cooking. Don't forget, you can buy similar pre-made products outside of HelloFresh if you don't have the time to make them yourself. Have fun cooking, and enjoy your delicious meal.
To learn how to duplicate another great recipe from HelloFresh, read our article: How To Make Hello Fresh Cream Sauce [Quickly & Easily]
For more information about the Hello Fresh meal delivery service, read our article: How Long Does Hello Fresh Last In The Box?
