Finding an equivalent substitution for a sweet soy glaze can be tricky. Soy sauce provides a unique blend of umami, saltiness, and sweetness that can be difficult to replicate with other ingredients. However, with some clever substitutions and adjustments, it is possible to come up with a tasty facsimile.
What is Sweet Soy Sauce?
Sweet soy sauce, also known as kecap manis, is a popular condiment and cooking ingredient in many Asian cuisines. It consists of regular soy sauce plus extra sugar or other sweeteners added. The sweetness helps to mellow out the saltiness of regular soy sauce.
In cooking, sweet soy sauce is commonly used as a glaze, marinade, sauce ingredient, or dipping sauce. It provides a lovely sheen and caramelized flavor when used as a finishing glaze. The sweet umami flavor also enhances the taste of grilled or sauteed meats, seafood, and vegetables.
Non-Soy Substitutes for Sweet Soy Glaze
For those avoiding soy due to allergies or dietary preferences, there are a few homemade blend recipes that can mimic the flavor profile of sweet soy sauce quite closely:
Brown Sugar and Balsamic Vinegar Glaze
Mix together:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch of salt and black pepper
Simmer until thickened to a glaze consistency. The tanginess of the balsamic vinegar and sweetness of the brown sugar approximates the flavor of sweet soy. Using blackstrap molasses adds richness similar to the umami flavor of soy sauce.
Honey and Coconut Aminos Glaze
Mix together:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
The combo of honey, coconut aminos, and rice vinegar creates a sweet and salty blend reminiscent of kecap manis. Sesame oil and ginger add extra Asian flair.
Soy Sauce Substitutes for Glaze
For those who can eat soy but want to avoid adding more sodium from regular soy sauce, there are lower-sodium natural substitutes that work well in sweet glazes:
Bragg Liquid Aminos
Stir together:
- 1/2 cup Bragg Liquid Aminos
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- Pinch of five spice powder
Bragg Liquid Aminos provides a soy sauce-like saltiness derived from soybeans. Blending it with sweeteners like honey or maple syrup and a touch of rice vinegar and Chinese five spice creates a passable sweet soy sauce substitute.
Coconut Aminos
Mix together:
- 1/2 cup coconut aminos
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or lime juice
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- Pinch of garlic powder
Coconut aminos has a subtly sweet, soy-sauce-like flavor. When combined with honey, rice vinegar, and aromatic ginger, it makes a good lower-sodium substitute for sweet soy glaze.
Approximate Equivalent Ratios
When substituting for sweet soy sauce in a recipe, it can be helpful to keep these approximate equivalent ratios in mind:
- 1 cup sweet soy sauce = 1/2 cup soy sauce + 1/2 cup honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sweet soy sauce = 1 teaspoon soy sauce + 1 teaspoon honey/sugar
- 1 teaspoon sweet soy sauce = 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce + 1/2 teaspoon honey/sugar
For any of the substitute recipes, you can tweak the ratio of salty to sweet elements as needed to achieve the desired flavor profile.
Tips for Using Homemade Sweet Soy Substitutes
When cooking with a homemade sweet soy sauce swap-in, keep these tips in mind:
- Simmer glazes briefly to meld flavors and thicken consistency.
- Add pinch of garlic powder, ginger, Chinese five spice to reinforce Asian flavor.
- Stir glazes frequently when cooking to prevent scorching.
- For dipping sauce, thin out consistency with splash of water.
- Adjust sweetness to taste preference with extra honey/sugar or vinegar.
- Refrigerate unused portion. Keeps for 1-2 weeks.
Sample Sweet Soy Substitute Recipes
Balsamic Sweet Soy Chicken
Glaze Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 teaspoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon five spice powder
Simmer glaze ingredients until thickened. Brush glaze over chicken pieces during last few minutes of cooking time.
Coconut Aminos Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry
Glaze Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- Pinch red pepper flakes
Stir glaze ingredients together. Add to stir fry sauce along with sliced beef and broccoli. Toss to coat.
Honey Sweet & Sour Shrimp
Glaze Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Bragg Liquid Aminos
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
- Pinch garlic powder
Whisk glaze ingredients together and pour over sautéed shrimp. Garnish with extra sesame seeds.
Conclusion
Recreating the sweet and salty flavor of sweet soy sauce takes a little creativity, but is certainly doable. Honey, balsamic, brown sugar, coconut aminos, and Bragg’s Liquid Aminos make excellent substitutes when blended to mimic that sought-after kecap manis profile. With a homemade glaze or dipping sauce, you can impart a sweet soy taste to Asian recipes, even with dietary restrictions.