Cook Thai Delights: 5 Best Substitutes for XO Sauce

Finding the perfect XO sauce substitute can feel like hitting a culinary jackpot.

We all get that craving for a rich, umami-packed Thai dish.

Sometimes, though, that crucial bottle of XO sauce plays hide and seek in our pantry.

No worries, we’ve got you covered.

With a bit of kitchen creativity, other ingredients can step up to the plate.

Think of these substitutes as your secret weapon for mouthwatering Thai delights.

Each suggestion we’re about to share packs its own unique punch.

They bring those deep, complex flavors we all crave.

And guess what? You probably have most of them in your kitchen right now.

What’s XO Sauce?

Many people don’t know about XO Sauce because it’s not something you see every day.

When used in Asian dishes, this condiment is often described as having a blend of dried shrimp, garlic, ginger, and chili pepper.

It looks similar to black bean sauce, but most often, the two sauces are noticeably different in taste.

One of the most common misconceptions is that it’s a hot sauce.

However, XO sauce is used as an accompaniment to dishes such as stir-fries or braised pork belly noodles.

It resembles soy sauce and hoisin inconsistency but tastes saltier than both sauces, with hints of cloves and cinnamon giving it its distinct flavor profile as well as a touch of heat from chili peppers for those who want some spice on their dish.

This sauce is very popular in the cuisine of Hong Kong.

It’s most commonly used with Cantonese noodles and added to the broth.

The most famous brand of XO sauce is called Lee Kum Kee.

So when you see that name listed as an ingredient, that’s what you will use for the recipe listed in the book (even if you are not making Asian food).

If you cannot find XO sauce at your local grocery store, consider any ingredient that might have similar umami flavors.

The sauce can be used as a base for countless Asian recipes, but it’s not just solely used for Asian dishes as it was originally.

You can find XO sauce in any authentic supermarket and specialty Asian shops.

XO sauce comes in handy when you want to add a little extra punch of flavor to your meals.

5 Best Substitutes for XO Sauce

XO sauce is a popular condiment in Cantonese cuisine known for its rich, umami flavor and spicy kick.

However, if you’re unable to find XO sauce or want to explore alternative options, there are several substitutes available.

In this guide, we will compare the top 5 substitutes for XO sauce, discussing their key characteristics and suggesting proper ratios to help you add similar flavors to your dishes.

Substitute	Key Characteristics	Proper Ratio
Teriyaki Sauce	A sweet and savory Japanese sauce with soy sauce, sugar, and mirin; adds a glossy finish to dishes	Use an equal amount of teriyaki sauce as a substitute for XO sauce
Oyster Sauce	A thick, savory sauce made from oyster extract, soy sauce, and other seasonings; adds depth to dishes	Use an equal amount of oyster sauce as a substitute for XO sauce
Hoisin Sauce	A thick, sweet and salty Chinese sauce made from fermented soybeans, garlic, and spices; versatile	Use an equal amount of hoisin sauce as a substitute for XO sauce
Sweet and Sour Sauce	A tangy sauce made from vinegar, sugar, and various fruits; adds a balance of sweet and sour flavors	Use an equal amount of sweet and sour sauce as a substitute for XO sauce
Sweet Chili Sauce	A sweet and spicy sauce made from chili peppers, sugar, and garlic; adds a kick of heat and sweetness	Use an equal amount of sweet chili sauce as a substitute for XO sauce

Now let’s delve into each substitute in more detail:

1 – Teriyaki Sauce

One of the most popular sauces available today is the teriyaki sauce.

It’s popular because of its versatility and flavor.

This sauce is derived from Japan and contains soy sauce, mirin, and sake.

This sauce is used for cooking meat such as chicken or beef.

It may also be used for vegetables and rice.

It’s important to note that the ingredients are combined in a pot, heated together, and then cooled down before consumption.

When using this sauce, many people enjoy marinating the meat before cooking.

Some individuals put the meat in the pot and cook it with the sauce.

In addition, this popular sauce may be used for various meals.

It’s available in a bottle or can, so all you need to do is heat it and serve it with your food.

• Key Characteristics: Teriyaki sauce is a sweet and savory Japanese sauce made with soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. It adds a glossy finish to dishes and complements various ingredients.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of teriyaki sauce as a substitute for XO sauce. Adjust the sweetness or spiciness by adding additional ingredients like chili flakes or honey if desired.

2 – Oyster Sauce

If you want to add some flavor to your food, oyster sauce is a perfect choice.

It’s a type of thick sauce that contains oysters and other ingredients.

This sauce is used in Chinese cooking from soybeans, brine, water, sugar, salt, alcohol, and yeast.

The sauce is dark brown. Oyster sauces are used for anything from stir-fries to fried rice dishes.

When cooking with this type of sauce, you may need to add a little bit of water if you want it to be thinner.

If you’re not going to use it right away, you should store it in the refrigerator.

The sauce is also rich in protein and amino acids.

• Key Characteristics: Oyster sauce is a thick and savory sauce made from oyster extract, soy sauce, and other seasonings. It adds depth and umami flavors to dishes.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of oyster sauce as a substitute for XO sauce. Adjust the spiciness by adding chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce if desired.

3 – Hoisin Sauce

If you’re looking for a sweet and spicy sauce, hoisin is a perfect choice.

This sauce is used in Chinese cooking, especially when preparing chicken.

It’s rich in flavor and tastes good on many different types of food.

Hoisin is made from soybeans, garlic, vinegar, sugar, red chili peppers, and other spices.

The sauce is usually sold in a bottle or can and can sometimes be found in the Asian section of your local grocery store.

When using this type of sauce, it’s important to know that a little bit goes a long way.

Depending on what you’re using it for, you should try to find seven or eight on your food until your dish is covered.

This will help give your dish the flavor it needs without adding too much sauce.

If you cook an Asian dish, you should try to find this sauce.

It’s a good substitute for XO sauce, which is a bit more expensive.

• Key Characteristics: Hoisin sauce is a thick, sweet, and salty Chinese sauce made from fermented soybeans, garlic, and spices. It is a versatile condiment that adds complexity to dishes.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of hoisin sauce as a substitute for XO sauce. Adjust the spiciness by adding chili flakes or a touch of hot sauce if desired.

4 – Sweet and Sour Sauce

For those of you who love to eat Chinese food, you should try to find sweet and sour sauce.

This sauce is used in many dishes, including chicken, pork, and beef.

It’s also used in many different types of stir fry recipes.

The sweet and sour sauce is made from tomato ketchup, vinegar, sugar, and spices.

The ingredients are usually mixed in a bowl until they’re smooth.

After this point, the sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

If you’re looking for a substitute for sweet and sour sauce, you should try using ketchup or chili sauce instead.

Both of these sauces are easy to find at your local grocery store or supermarket.

They can also be found in the condiment section of your local fast-food restaurant.

• Key Characteristics: Sweet and sour sauce is a tangy condiment made from vinegar, sugar, and various fruits. It provides a balance of sweet and sour flavors to dishes.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of sweet and sour sauce as a substitute for XO sauce. Adjust the spiciness by adding chili flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper if desired.

5 – Sweet Chili Sauce

Sweet chili sauce is a popular condiment used on many different types of Asian dishes.

It’s often served with fried rice, seafood, chicken, and beef.

It’s also used in many different types of stir fry recipes.

Sweet chili sauce is made from vinegar, sugar, and chili peppers.

The ingredients are usually mixed in a bowl until they’re smooth.

After this point, the sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

It’s important to note that sweet chili sauce is different from the hot chili sauce.

Hot chili sauce is made from vinegar, sugar, chilies, and spices.

It’s usually served with fried rice, seafood, and beef dishes.

Sweet chili sauce can be found in the condiment section of your local grocery store or supermarket.

It’s also available at most Asian food stores.

• Key Characteristics: Sweet chili sauce is a sweet and spicy condiment made from chili peppers, sugar, and garlic. It adds a kick of heat and sweetness to dishes.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of sweet chili sauce as a substitute for XO sauce. Adjust the spiciness by adding additional chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce if desired.

Conclusion

XO sauce can be made for little cost, yet the flavor has been known to be on par with some of the much more expensive condiments.

If you’re tired of paying a fortune for some common sauces at your local store, don’t hesitate to make them yourself.

You’ll soon find out much better prices and a cheaper cost per ounce.

That being said, these substitutes for common store-bought condiments and sauces can help you save some money.

So, what are some other great sauces and condiments that can be made at home? Feel free to comment and share.