8 Plum Sauce Substitutes: Plum Perfect

What is the best Plum Sauce substitute?

Are you looking for a plum sauce substitute? When it comes to substituting plum sauce, there are a few tasty alternatives for you to choose from. From simple jams, to sauces, to making your very own homemade sauce, there should be something on the list that you should be able to use. Try using: Hoisin, Sweet Chilli Sauce, Apricot Preserve, Duck Sauce, Sweet & Sour Sauce, Garlic Teriyaki Sauce, Homemade Garlic and Prune Sauce, or Ginger and Plum Jam.

What is Plum Sauce?

Plum sauce has an interesting history, and it’s believed to have originated in China. It’s often associated with Chinese cuisine and is known as “Meigan Jiang” in Mandarin. This sauce is traditionally made from sweet plums, sugar, vinegar, and various spices, and it can be traced back to ancient Chinese recipes.

The sauce gradually made its way to other parts of Asia and, eventually, the West, becoming a versatile condiment used in various dishes, from stir-fries to dipping sauces. Its sweet and tangy flavor profile adds depth to both savory and sweet dishes, making it a popular choice in modern Asian and fusion cuisine.

Today, plum sauce is enjoyed worldwide and has been adapted to suit different regional tastes and culinary preferences. It’s a testament to how global flavors can influence and also enrich our food experiences.

Okay, before we look at your plum sauce substitute options, let’s deal with that empty cupboard situation!


Where can I buy Plum Sauce

If you want to be more prepared and ensure you don’t run out of plum sauce, then you should stock up now.

Nowadays, most delicatessens and general supermarkets stock a wide variety of plum sauce. Or if you prefer you can also purchase plum sauce on-line.

So why not jump on and place your order today.

STOCK UP NOW!

Plum Sauce

Packed full of plum and ginger flavor, this jar of plum sauce pairs well with duck, ribs or even chicken. Get cooking!

Suitable for vegetarians.


What can I substitute for Plum Sauce

Here are some of the best ingredients to substitute the flavor and role that plum sauce provides in your recipes.

  • Hoisin
  • Sweet Chilli Sauce
  • Apricot Preserve
  • Duck Sauce
  • Sweet & Sour Sauce
  • Garlic Teriyaki Sauce
  • Homemade Garlic and Prune Sauce
  • Ginger and Plum Jam

Plum Sauce substitutes


Hoisin

Hoisin sauce is a savory, thick, and sweet condiment commonly used in Asian cuisine. It’s made from soybeans, vinegar, sugar, garlic, and various spices. While it has a distinct flavor, it can serve as a good substitute for plum sauce in many recipes due to its sweet and savory profile.

It is great as a base for stir-fry sauces. Just combine it with soy sauce, a touch of sugar, and some garlic for a sauce that works well with vegetables and proteins.

You can also mix hoisin sauce with a bit of soy sauce and rice vinegar to create a flavorful dipping sauce for spring rolls, dumplings, or grilled meats.

Want to use it as a marinade for meats like chicken, pork, or beef? Just add a bit of oil, garlic, and ginger for extra flavor.

You could also brush hoisin sauce onto roasted or grilled vegetables, tofu, or meats to create a delicious sweet and savory glaze.

For a quick and delicious noodle dish just toss cooked noodles with hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and your choice of vegetables or protein.

Remember that hoisin sauce has a slightly different taste compared to plum sauce, but its sweet and savory notes make it a versatile substitute in many recipes. Adjust the quantities to match your preferred level of sweetness and flavor.

Hoisin sauce

Sweet Chilli Sauce

Sweet chili sauce is a popular condiment with a sweet and mildly spicy flavor. It’s commonly used in a variety of dishes, particularly in Asian cuisine. When substituting sweet chili sauce for plum sauce, keep in mind that it will add a different flavor profile due to the spiciness.

Sweet chili sauce can be used as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, dumplings, chicken tenders, or other appetizers. It will provide a sweet and spicy kick.

You can also use sweet chili sauce as a marinade for chicken, shrimp, or pork. Just combine it with a bit of soy sauce and other seasonings for added depth of flavor.

Try brushing sweet chili sauce onto grilled or roasted meats like chicken, salmon, or pork. It creates a sweet and slightly spicy glaze that caramelizes beautifully.

When making stir-fries, you can use sweet chili sauce as a base. Just mix it with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a little cornstarch to thicken the sauce.

For a quick and easy dish why not toss cooked noodles with sweet chili sauce, some sesame oil, and your choice of vegetables or protein for a quick and flavorful noodle dish.

Keep in mind that sweet chili sauce has a spicier kick than plum sauce, so you might want to adjust the amount used according to your spice tolerance. Also, consider the overall flavor profile of your dish, as the spiciness can change the dynamic of the recipe.

Sweet chilli sauce

Apricot Preserve

Apricot preserves are a sweet and fruity spread made from cooked apricots and sugar. They have a naturally bright and slightly tart flavor. When using apricot preserves as a substitute for plum sauce, keep in mind that the flavor will be different, but the sweetness and fruitiness can work well in various dishes.

Apricot preserve can be used as a glaze for roasted or grilled meats such as chicken, pork, or ham. For extra balance just combine the preserves with a bit of vinegar or citrus juice.

Use apricot preserves to marinate chicken, pork, or seafood. Mix it with complementary ingredients like garlic, ginger, and also a dash of soy sauce to add depth of flavor.

As a stir-fry sauce, combine apricot preserve with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. It can provide a sweet and tangy base for stir-fried dishes.

To make a sweet dipping sauce you should dilute apricot preserve with a bit of water or vinegar. This will make a perfect sweet dipping sauce for spring rolls, chicken tenders, or other appetizers.

Remember that apricot preserves are typically sweeter and less tart than plum sauce, so you might need to adjust the quantities to match the level of sweetness you desire in your dish.

Apricot preserve

Duck Sauce

Duck sauce is a sweet and tangy condiment often used in American Chinese cuisine. It’s typically made from apricots or plums and can include vinegar, sugar, and various spices. Duck sauce has a flavor profile similar to plum sauce but is slightly tangier.

Duck sauce is great when used as a dipping sauce for egg rolls, spring rolls, dumplings, or other appetizers. It provides a sweet and tangy flavor that pairs well with fried foods.

You can also brush duck sauce onto roasted or grilled meats, such as chicken, pork, or duck. It creates a sweet and tangy glaze that complements the flavors of the meat.

When making stir-fries, you can use duck sauce as a base. Combine it with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a little cornstarch to create a flavorful stir-fry sauce.

Or you can also use duck sauce to marinate meats like chicken or pork. Combine it with other seasonings and ingredients to enhance the flavor of the meat.

Since duck sauce is tangier than plum sauce, you may want to adjust the quantities used to match your desired level of sweetness and tanginess in your recipes.

Duck sauce as a plum sauce substitute.

Sweet & Sour Sauce

Sweet and sour sauce is a popular condiment known for its balanced sweet and tangy flavor. It’s commonly used in a variety of Chinese and Asian-inspired dishes. When using sweet and sour sauce as a substitute for plum sauce, keep in mind that it will introduce a tangy and slightly different flavor profile.

Sweet and sour sauce can be used as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, chicken tenders, or other appetizers. It provides a sweet and tangy flavor that pairs well with fried foods.

Brush sweet and sour sauce onto roasted or grilled meats, such as chicken, pork, or shrimp. It creates a sweet and tangy glaze that caramelizes nicely.

When making stir-fries, you can use sweet and sour sauce as a base. Just mix it with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and also a little cornstarch to create a flavorful stir-fry sauce.

Use sweet and sour sauce as a marinade for meats like chicken or pork. Combine it with other seasonings and ingredients to enhance the flavor of the meat.

Perfect as a quick supper, why not toss cooked noodles with sweet and sour sauce, some sesame oil, and your choice of vegetables or protein.

While sweet and sour sauce will provide a different flavor compared to plum sauce, its sweet and tangy notes make it a versatile substitute in various recipes. Adjust the quantities to match your preferred level of sweetness and tanginess.

Sweet & Sour

Garlic Teriyaki Sauce

Garlic Teriyaki Sauce is a flavorful sauce commonly used in Japanese cuisine. It typically includes ingredients like soy sauce, sugar, mirin (a sweet rice wine), sake, and also garlic. It has a sweet and savory profile with a hint of garlic. When using Garlic Teriyaki Sauce as a substitute for plum sauce, it can work well in certain dishes, particularly those with an Asian or teriyaki flavor profile.

You can use Garlic Teriyaki Sauce as a marinade for meats such as chicken, beef, or pork. It provides a sweet and savory flavor with a subtle garlic twist.

Why not use it as a stir-fry sauce? Just combine Garlic Teriyaki Sauce with your choice of protein and vegetables. Then add a bit of cornstarch to thicken the sauce. It can work beautifully in stir-fried dishes.

Brush Garlic Teriyaki Sauce onto roasted or grilled meats like chicken or salmon. It creates a sweet and savory glaze that caramelizes nicely.

Similar to our other substitutes, you can toss cooked noodles with Garlic Teriyaki Sauce, some sesame oil, and your choice of vegetables or protein for a quick and delicious noodle dish.

Keep in mind that Garlic Teriyaki Sauce has a more savory and umami flavor compared to plum sauce, so it’s best suited for dishes where these flavors complement the overall taste. Adjust the quantities to match your desired level of sweetness and garlic intensity in your recipes.

Teriyaki Sauce as a plum sauce substitute.

Homemade Garlic and Prune Sauce

“Garlic and prunes” typically isn’t a specific condiment or sauce on its own, but you can create a flavorful substitute for plum sauce by combining these ingredients with other complementary flavors.

Here’s a simple way to make a recipe to make your own plum sauce using garlic and prunes:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup pitted prunes
  • 2-3 cloves of garlic (adjust to your preference)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari
  • 2-3 tablespoons brown sugar or honey (adjust for sweetness)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1-2 tablespoons rice vinegar or white vinegar (for tanginess)

Instructions:

  1. In a saucepan, combine the prunes, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar (or honey), water, and vinegar.
  2. Heat the mixture over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally. Allow it to simmer and cook until the prunes are softened and the sauce has thickened, which should take around 10-15 minutes.
  3. Once the prunes have softened, transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, you can adjust the consistency by adding a bit more water.
  4. Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness or tanginess to your liking by adding more sugar, vinegar, or water if necessary.

This homemade garlic and prune sauce will provide you with a sweet and slightly tangy sauce that has a subtle garlic undertone. You can use it as a substitute for plum sauce in various recipes, such as glazing roasted meats, as a dipping sauce for appetizers, or as a condiment for sandwiches and burgers. Adjust the ingredients to match your desired level of sweetness, garlic intensity, and tanginess.

Garlic and prunes as a plum sauce substitute.

Ginger and Plum Jam

Ginger and Plum Jam is a sweet and tangy fruit spread made from plums and ginger. It combines the natural sweetness of plums with the slightly spicy and aromatic flavor of ginger. When using Ginger and Plum Jam as a substitute for plum sauce, you can create a delicious twist in your recipes.

Ginger and Plum Jam can be used as a glaze for roasted or grilled meats such as chicken, pork, or salmon. It provides a sweet and tangy flavor with a hint of ginger, adding depth to your dishes.

Why not incorporate Ginger and Plum Jam into a marinade for meats like chicken, pork, or shrimp. Combine it with soy sauce, garlic, and other seasonings to create a flavorful marinade.

Use Ginger and Plum Jam as a base for stir-fry sauces. Combine it with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger to add a sweet and aromatic element to your stir-fried dishes.

If you want to make a quick dipping sauce you can dilute Ginger and Plum Jam with a bit of water or vinegar. This will create a sweet and tangy dipping sauce for spring rolls, dumplings, or other appetizers.

The ginger in this jam will add a delightful warmth and aromatic complexity to your dishes, making it a wonderful substitute for plum sauce. Remember to adjust the quantities to suit your preferred level of sweetness and ginger flavor in your recipes.

Ginger and plum jam as a plum sauce substitute.

Summary for Plum Sauce substitutes

Okay – that’s you all sorted with suitable substitutes for plum sauce.

Here’s a quick summary of how to use various ingredients as substitutes for plum sauce:

  1. Hoisin: Use hoisin as a substitute in stir-fries, as a marinade, or as a glaze for roasted meats. It can also work well as a dipping sauce for a sweet and savory flavor.
  2. Sweet Chili Sauce: Use it as a dipping sauce for fried appetizers, glaze for roasted meats, and also in stir-fries. It will provide a sweet and slightly spicy kick.
  3. Apricot Preserve: Use it as a glaze, marinade, or condiment for roasted and grilled meats, or as a sweet twist in various dishes.
  4. Duck Sauce: Substitute it for a sweet and tangy flavor in marinades, glazes, as a dipping sauce, and condiment. This sauce is particularly used in American Chinese cuisine.
  5. Sweet & Sour Sauce: Use it as a dipping sauce, glaze for meats, in stir-fries, or also as a condiment for a sweet and tangy twist.
  6. Garlic Teriyaki Sauce: Substitute it in marinades, stir-fry sauces, glazes, and condiments for a sweet and savory flavor with a hint of garlic.
  7. Garlic and Prunes: Blend these ingredients together with soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar to create a homemade sweet and tangy sauce for various dishes.
  8. Ginger and Plum Jam: Use it as a substitute in glazes, marinades, stir-fries, and condiments You can also use it as a dipping sauce to add a sweet and tangy flavor with a hint of ginger.

Each of these substitutes will provide a unique flavor profile, so choose the one that best matches your dish and your personal taste preferences. Adjust quantities to suit your desired level of sweetness, spiciness, or tanginess.

We have gathered together a lot more facts on ingredients such as herbs, spices, oils, nuts, etc. if you would like to learn some more.

Or if you need to swap out another ingredient have a look at our Substitutes section.