Garlicy Sweet Soy Glaze: Like Hello Fresh! & Inspired by Kecap Manis
Obsessed with that sticky-sweet sauce from your Hello Fresh meals? Now you can make a version of the Hello Fresh Sweet Soy Glaze at home! If you’ve been looking for a hello fresh sweet soy glaze recipe to recreate that bold, umami-rich flavor, this one’s for you.
Inspired by Indonesian kecap manis, this garlicky sweet soy glaze blends soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger into a perfectly balanced sauce that’s sweet, salty, and savory.
Whether you keep it mild or add a spicy kick, this easy homemade glaze works with plant-based dishes or classic proteins—and once you try it, you’ll want to drizzle it on everything.
Three Reasons Why You Will Love This Recipe
First, the best part about this recipe is that it is super simple to make!
Second, sauces like this one elevate underrated dishes into a masterpiece. I use this recipe over raw cucumbers, fluffy rice, and with a crispy tofu dinner, but don’t stop there! The savory flavors of this tasty sauce elevate so many dishes.
Third, this recipe is inspired by a delicious Indonesian sauce, called Kecap Manis. Kecap Manis is a sweet, dark, and molasses-like sauce often used in Indonesian dishes like roasted chicken, grilled fish, and fried tofu.
Interested in more Indonesian recipes? I recommend exploring Marvella’s food blog What to Cook Today. This blog has an array of vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian recipes. Marvellina previously worked as a Registered Dietitian and was born in Indonesia. She has many Indonesian recipes including a Easy Homemade Kecap Manis recipe!
Ingredients for Garlic Sweet Soy Glaze
- Soy sauce: Kikkoman is my go to
- Honey or maple syrup (for vegan): you could also use white sugar or coocnut sugar
- Garlic: I prefer to use fresh but you could sub for garlic powder in a pinch
- Fresh Ginger
- Rice vinegar, white wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar: for that tangy flavor
- Optional ingredients: chili flakes, sesame seeds, or even a bit of sesame oil. For a thinner sauce use a tbsp water one at a time until desired consistency is reached.
How to Make This Recipe
In a small saucepan, on medium-high heat, combine all of the ingredients. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally to bring all the ingredients together. Continue to cook on medium heat for 4-6 minutes.
Once the sauce is thickened, it is time to remove from the saucepan from the heat. Then let the glaze cool.
Serve this recipe as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, drizzled over grilled proteins such as pork tenderloin, ground beef, baked tofu, vegetables such as blanched green beans, or with stir fried bell pepper, or simply spooned over buttery rice garnished with scallion greens.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about a week.
How to Store and Use for Meal Prep
Make a batch. Use it all week.
This sweet soy glaze stores beautifully and tastes even better the next day.
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Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
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Reheat: Warm gently in a saucepan or microwave. Add a splash of water if it gets too thick.
Creative Ways to Use This Sweet Soy Glaze
This glaze isn’t just for stir-fries. Its rich, sticky, sweet-savory flavor can finish a dish or pair beautifully with something spicy like sriracha mayo.
Try it:
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Drizzled over sushi rolls or cucumber boats
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As a glaze for roasted or grilled chicken (or tofu)
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Spooned over fragrant jasmine rice
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Poured on top of grain bowls with a squeeze of lime
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Stirred into veggie-packed stir-fries
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As a sticky sauce for sautéed or oven-baked veggies
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Served as a dipping sauce for salmon bites, dumplings, egg rolls, or fried wontons
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Coating crispy tofu or chicken wings for a sweet-and-savory twist
FAQ (ask a dietitian!)
Is hoisin sauce the same as sweet soy sauce?
Hoisin sauce and sweet soy sauce are not the same. Hoisin, commonly used in Cantonese cuisine, is a combination of soybeans, garlic, chili peppers, sugar, and various spices including Chinese five-spice powder.
Sweet Soy Sauce, also known as Kecap Manis, is popular in Indonesian cuisine. Kecap Manis is made from soy sauce and sugar.
What makes glaze thick?
There are several ways in which you can make glaze thick. Below are my 3 favorite ways to thicken a glaze.
- Reduction: Reduction is a culinary technique used to thicken and intensify the flavors of a liquid by simmering or boiling it, causing some of the water content to evaporate. This technique thickens and intensifies the flavors of a mixture such as soup, sauce, or glaze.
- Cornstarch or flour: Adding cornstarch or flour to a glaze thickens it. The starches absorb liquid and created a thicker consistency when heat is involved.
- Sugar: Sugar can thicken a glaze, like this Garlicy Sweet Soy Glaze. The sugar becomes more viscous and sticks as it cooks. You can use brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey.
Does sweet soy sauce have gluten?
Usually, Sweet Soy Sauce has gluten. Sweet soy sauce is made with soy sauce and regular soy sauce’s primary ingredient is wheat. However, you can make sweet soy sauce or this Garlicy Sweet Soy Glaze with Tamari or Gluten-free soy sauce.
Is there a sweet soy sauce substitute?
Other than making it yourself with either Marvella’s recipe or my Garlicy Sweet Soy Glaze recipe, there are several possible substitutes you may use depending on the recipe or dish.
- Hoisin Sauce – A thick fragrant sauce often used in Cantonese cuisine.
- Oyster Sauce – A viscous dark condiment made from oyster extracts. Oyster sauce is commonly used in Chinese, Thai, Malay, and Vietnamese culinary traditions.
- Tianmian Sauce – A sweet sauce made from wheat, beans, and sugar often used in Northern and Northeastern Chinese cooking.
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Garlic Sweet Soy Glaze
Equipment
- 1 small sauce pan
Ingredients
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey option to use maple syrup, brown sugar, or coconut sugar
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 1 tsp red chili flakes optional
- 1 tsp cornstarch see recipe notes
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine all of the ingredients. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally to bring all the ingredients together. Continue to cook on medium heat for 4-6 minutes.
- Once the sauce is thickened, it is time to remove from the saucepan from the heat. Then let the glaze cool.
- Serve this recipe over grilled meat, baked tofu, or vegetables.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about a week.
Notes
Nutrition
Hi, I’m Sarah Harper, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist passionate about cooking, eating, and sharing all things food! At The Addy Bean, you’ll find a variety of flexitarian recipes designed to inspire and empower you to explore the delicious world of plant-based eating. My mission is to make plant-forward meals approachable, enjoyable, and part of your everyday life!
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