Garlicy Sweet Soy Glaze (Inspired by Kecap Manis)
Discover the simplicity of this flavorful Sweet Soy Glaze, boasting a lovely fusion of garlic, ginger, and a balance of sweet and salty notes.
Inspired by Kecap Manis and Hello Fresh Sweet Soy Glaze, make this recipe at home and embrace the versatility with both vegan and non-vegan renditions. Choose between non-spicy and spicy variations to elevate your culinary creations with this delectable glaze.
Why I Made This Recipe
The best part about this recipe is that it is super simple to make!
Moreover, sauces like this one hold the power to elevate the most underrated dishes into a masterpiece. I use this recipe over raw cucumbers, fluffy rice, and with a tasty chicken dinner. The savory flavors of this tasty sauce elevate many dishes.
This Sweet Soy Glaze is heavily 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
- Honey or maple syrup (vegan) – you could also use white sugar.
- Garlic
- Fresh Ginger
- Rice vinegar, white wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar – for that tangy flavor
- Optional: 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 Use This Recipe
This recipe and its rich flavors can be used for more than a flavorful glaze. Moreover, is a great finisher to any recipe alone or along side a spicy sriracha mayo.
- Drizzled over sushi or cucumber boats
- Glaze for a delicious chicken dish
- Spooned over top fragrant jasmine rice
- Drizzled over grain bowls garnished with a lime wedge
- Sauces for various stir-fried dishes
- A sticky sauce for sautéed or baked veggies
- Dipping sauce for salmon nuggets, egg rolls, dumplings, or fried wontons
- Sauce for chicken wings or fried chicken
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. I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves to cook, eat, and talk about food! Here at The Addy Bean, you'll discover an array of flexitarian recipes. My mission is to inspire and encourage others to eat and explore the world of plant-based foods!
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