As a mom and a chef, I know how important it is to have tasty and healthy substitutions for popular condiments. That’s why I’ve set this list of the best doubanjiang – chili bean sauce substitutes.
Whether you’re looking for something vegan or gluten-free, I’ve got you covered! So, the next time you need a bit extra flavour in your food, try one of these recipes.
What is Chinese chili bean sauce or La-Doubanjiang?
Chili bean sauce is a type of chili paste made from fermented soybeans, flour, and rice. It is a hot and savory, popular condiment in Chinese cuisine.
The sauce is made by adding soybeans to a jar filling it with water until the beans are just covered. Next, the beans are soaked in the water at room temperature until they start to ferment, and then rice and/or other grains such as wheat or barley are added.
Is chili bean sauce the same as chili bean paste?
Chili bean sauce and chili bean paste are two different things. Chili bean sauce is a sauce made from fermented black beans, while chili bean paste is made from ground red chili peppers.
Chili bean sauce has a strong, salty flavor and is dark. There are two major types of chili bean sauce. The first is the Thai type, which has water chestnuts in it. The other major type of chili bean sauce is made primarily with soybeans.
What does chilli bean sauce taste like?
It tastes like a mix of oriental spices and chili with a very delicious aftertaste! It is not only spicy but also delicious. The taste is not too hot, and it’s quite easy to handle. Great for dishes that only need a hint of heat!
How hot is chili bean sauce?
As with most hot sauces, the heat level in chili bean sauce can vary significantly from one bottle to the next.
However, it is generally considered a medium-hot sauce, with a heat level comparable to Tabasco sauce or salsa.
The main ingredients in chili bean sauce are red chili peppers, navy beans, and garlic.
Regardless, there can be variations in the recipe from one bottle to the next, so it’s essential to read the label before you buy.
5 Best Chili Bean Sauce Substitutes
There are many chili bean sauce substitutes on the market, but hoisin sauce and tabasco sauce are two of the most common.
These sauces have a slightly sweet and spicy flavor that pairs well with meats and vegetables. Other like Tianmian sauce with chili pepper, Schezwan sauce, Bean paste with Sriracha, etc…
Let’s continue with more details.
1. TIANMIAN SAUCE+ CHILI PEPPER- Best Chili bean Sauce Replacement
If you can’t find out chili bean sauce, you can use Tianmian sauce with chili pepper. Tianmian sauce, widely used in Korean and Chinese cuisine also made from fermented bean paste but sweet yet savory, thick consistency.
To make the substitution, take half spoon of Tianmian sauce and 1-1/2 spoon of chili pepper(spicy); you can add minced garlic of 2-3 cloves.
Stir the sauce well and add it to your meat, vegetables, or the recipe called for chili bean sauce.
2. HOISIN SAUCE + TABASCO SAUCE- Decent substitute for Dobanjiang
Want some more spice in your dish! Try the substitute hoisin sauce with tabasco sauce for doubanjiang.
Hoisin sauce and tabasco sauce are both excellent substitutes for chili bean sauce. They are both widely available and add a lot of flavor to dishes.
Hoisin sauce is a thick, dark brown sauce made with soybeans, garlic, and vinegar, similar to chili bean sauce. It has a barely sweet and smoky flavor that goes well with poultry and pork.
Tabasco sauce is a hot sauce made with red chili peppers, vinegar, and salt. It is an excellent addition to dishes that need a little spice.
Try using chili bean sauce hoisin sauce with Tabasco sauce in a 1:1 ratio your next Chinese meal!
Read More- Tabasco Sauce Substitutes
3. MISO PASTE+ RED PEPPER- Easy Chili bean sauce alternative
Miso paste is a Japanese seasoning made from fermented soybean paste, salt, and koji (a type of mold). It is generally used in soups and stews, although it can also be served as a condiment. Miso paste comes in a variety of flavours, each with its own distinct flavour profile.
One alternative to using red pepper-chilli bean sauce is to use a different type of hot sauce. It has a spicy and tangy flavor that goes well with many Asian dishes.
The spicy flavor is perfect for adding a kick to your food.
4. Try FERMENTED BEAN PASTE + SRIRACHA instead of Chili bean sauce
Fermented bean paste with sriracha makes an excellent alternative to chili bean sauce. It has a slightly different flavor, but it’s still a delicious condiment for rice or noodles. I also enjoy it as a dipping sauce for dumplings or potstickers.
If you can’t find fermented bean paste, you can use another bean sauce as a substitute. Just make sure to add a little sriracha to give it some heat. Either way, this simple sauce is a great way to add flavor to your meals. Enjoy!
5. SCHEZWAN SAUCE – Perfect alternative to Doubanjiang
Schezwan sauce is a hot, spicy sauce made with chili peppers, garlic, and soy sauce. It is a popular condiment in Chinese cuisine.
If you want to make a dish with a bit more of a kick, you can substitute Schezwan sauce for chili bean paste.
Schezwan sauce is made from hot peppers, soy sauce, and garlic, so it will add a bit of spice to your dish.
Chili bean paste is made from red beans, vinegar, and spices, so it will also add flavor and heat to your dish. You can buy either or both if you want to make something really spicy.
Schezwan sauce is used in Chinese and Malaysian cooking, and chili bean paste is used in Chinese cooking. If you are looking for something to add to your stir fry, I will use Schezwan sauce.
Lee Kum kee chilli bean sauce
Lee Kum kee chilli bean sauce is not made by your typical red chili but by fermenting protein-rich soybeans.
The result is a product that has a superb and lingering taste and a spicy kick that is not the usual watered-down chili we are used to.
You can use it in pretty much anything, but you should start with the obvious; fried rice, noodles, and dumplings.
The best part of it is that it can be ordered online, so you can just order it and then forget about the fact that you ordered 3-4 chili sauces online (because I know we all do that at least once).
It is great for dumplings as it adds a slight spiciness and enhances the dumpling flavor.
I’m not much into vegetarian food, but when I cook vegetarian dishes, this is what I use.
Is ground bean sauce the same as yellow bean sauce?
No, ground bean sauce is made with soybeans, whereas yellow bean sauce (also known as Hugan Jiang or “broad bean paste”) is made with yellow soybeans.
Ground bean sauce is a type of sauce made with ground beans. It is popular in Chinese cuisine. Yellow bean sauce is a type of sauce made with yellow soybeans. It is also popular in Chinese cuisine.
Ground bean sauce is made with fermented ground beans and sometimes includes other ingredients such as flour, soya sauce, and salt. It is served cold and has a very strong, salty, and nutty taste. It is also dark in color, and it tastes quite different from yellow bean sauce.
Yellow bean sauce is made with fermented yellow soybeans and sometimes includes other ingredients such as flour, sugar, and salt.
It also has a strong taste, but it is different from ground bean sauce. Yellow bean sauce is served cold and lighter than ground bean sauce.
The two sauces are used for different dishes, but they share some similarities. For example, both sauces go very well with noodles and stir fry dishes.
Is chili paste and chili sauce the same?
Chili paste and chili sauce are both made from chili peppers, but there can be a big distinction in the flavor and texture of the two.
Chili paste is usually made with a higher concentration of chili peppers, which gives it a more intense flavor and a thicker consistency.
Chili sauce is made with a lower concentration of chili peppers, which gives it a milder flavor and thinner consistency.
Can I substitute Miso for Doubanjiang?
Miso is a traditional Japanese seasoning produced by fermenting soybeans with salt and koji, a type of fungus. Doubanjiang is a spicy, salty, and slightly sweet Chinese condiment made from broad beans, soybeans, rice, salt, and sugar.
While miso is made from soybeans, it doesn’t have the same level of spiciness as doubanjiang. Miso also has a slightly sweeter flavor than doubanjiang.
Suppose you’re looking for a substitute that has a similar level of spiciness and saltiness. In that case, you can try using Miso with pepper instead of Gochujang, a Korean chili paste with a similar flavor profile to doubanjiang.
What is Sichuan chilli bean paste?
Sichuan chili bean paste is a chilli paste made from red chili peppers, broad beans, and Sichuan peppercorns.
It is a popular condiment in Sichuan cuisine and adds heat and flavor to dishes. Most Chinese chili pastes are made from a blend of spices. Some examples include chili, garlic, salt, and vinegar.
It goes great with meats, seafood, vegetables, and tofu. It can make hot pot soup or as a dipping sauce for dumplings.
Sichuan chili bean paste is sold at Asian food stores and some grocery stores.
Wrap Up On Doubanjiang Substitutes
We have included some of the best substitutes to try out, and we hope you enjoy them as much as we did! If you need help picking up any ingredients or want advice on substituting other types of beans in recipes with these alternatives, don’t hesitate to let us know; we are always happy to provide assistance!
One of the first chili bean sauce substitutes we suggest is a mixture of hoisin sauce with tabasco sauce for doubanjiang. This combination gives your dish a nice, earthy flavor that pairs well with most meats.
If you’re looking for a slightly spicier option, try using Fermented bean paste with Sriracha in place of the chili bean sauce.
A small amount of sriracha gives you pack a punch in terms of flavor.
FAQs Related to Chili Bean Sauce & Its Alternatives
Q1. What can I use instead of bean paste?
Bean paste is a common ingredient in East Asian cuisine. It is made by boiling beans until they are soft, then grinding them into a paste.
There are multiple different types of bean paste, such as black bean paste, red bean paste, and white bean paste. Bean paste can be used in savory dishes or desserts.
In fact, many traditional desserts in China and Japan incorporate bean paste. In Chinese cuisine, red bean soup is a popular dessert. In Japanese cuisine, anmitsu, a jelly dessert topped with sweet red bean paste sauce and fruit slices, are very popular.
