8 Best Substitutes For Doenjang

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Cooking is no joke, and people need the right ingredients to bring out the perfect flavor.

If you are a fan of Korean cuisine, you would know that doenjang is one of the most commonly used ingredients out there. However, if you don’t reside in Korea, getting your hands on this ingredient can be hard.

Thankfully, you don’t have to stop your recipe or the dish you are making just because you can’t find doenjang.

There are a bunch of other alternatives out there that you can use, and in this article, we are sharing some of the most popular alternatives out there.

Doenjang Substitutes

Doenjang is simply a soybean paste and is widely used as a seasoning ingredient in many parts of the world. As the definition suggests, it is made from soybeans and has become a great source of protein for people who like eating Korean cuisine.

In addition, it is also known for its anti-carcinogenic properties, making it an excellent option for people who like eating healthy. Doenjang is used as the main ingredient (seasoning ingredient, to be precise) for soups and stews.

In addition, it is a great ingredient for making a dipping sauce that you can pair with different types of lettuce wraps. Some people also use doenjang for seasoning spinach.

However, it has a considerably high sodium content, so it should be used in moderation. Now that you know the basics, let’s talk about some of the most popular substitutes for doenjang.

1. Ground Bean Sauce

The ground bean sauce is made from yellow soybeans (the fermented soybeans). Many people confuse it with the regular bean paste and sweet soybean paste, but ground bean sauce is quite different.

The ground bean sauce is actually readily available, and it can be added to rib sauces, BBQ dishes, and stews. Some people also add it to soups, but the flavor profile might be changed.

Ground bean sauce is one of the closest substitutes for doenjang, and it’s a great pick for people who want something that’s readily available.

2. Hoisin Sauce

If you want to replicate the salty and sweet flavor or doenjang in your recipe, hoisin sauce is a great choice. This is the thick and dark sauce that is made from fermented soybeans.

It has additional seasonings, such as chilies, garlic, and sesame. This is known to be a seafood sauce, but it doesn’t have any seafood ingredients.

Also, it’s ironic that it’s not even used in a lot of seafood dishes, though most people like to pair it up with fish or other dishes.

Hoisin sauces are widely used in Cantonese cooking, and it complements the sauces and marinades for BBQ dishes. In addition, it is suitable for roasted turkey. Many people use it as a condiment for Peking duck as well.

You can easily find a bunch of different brands offering Hoisin sauce at very low prices. A few homemade alternatives are also available. It’s not exactly similar in terms of texture to doenjang, but it’s generally a good choice.

3. Sweet Bean Sauce

Sweet bean sauce is a dark brown and thick condiment that is made from sugar, salt, and wheat flour. It is also used as a seasoning in many dishes.

Some variants of sweet bean sauce are also made from fermented soybeans, and you can use both variants of sweet bean sauce for substituting doenjang.

The name suggests that the sauce is sweet, but it also has a tinge of salt to it, which further enhances its taste.

For the most part, the name tends to be misleading because it’s made from wheat rather than beans. All in all, it can be used in a 1:1 ratio for substituting doenjang.

If you don’t mind a bit of sweetness in your dishes, using sweet bean sauce is a fantastic idea.

4. Chee Hou Sauce

This sauce is also known as Chu Hou paste and is made from fermented soybeans. It is often confused with hoisin sauce, but the seasonings will be pretty different.

The Chee Hou sauce can be made with salted plums, bean curd, and salted lemons.

However, these seasonings differ depending on the brand you choose, so you can look up the ingredients and choose whichever suits you the best.

It is usually used in Cantonese cuisine and braised recipes. When substituting it for doenjang, you will need to change the quantity according to the recipe.

All in all, it is suitable for stews and soups as well.

5. Sweet Soybean Paste

The sweet soybean paste is made from fermented soybeans, but it’s not exactly sweet.

We wouldn’t mind saying that this name is given to differentiate it from the spicy sauce that’s also available. It is also known as the sweet flour sauce.

The sweet soybean paste can be used in stir-fries as well. Generally, it is used as a condiment. It can be easily bought from Chinese stores.

Sweet soybean paste has a dark brown and smooth appearance. Once you open the sauce bottle, it needs to be refrigerated to preserve its freshness.

Also, it can be refrigerated for around one year. After that, it’s going to lose its taste entirely.

6. Miso

This is a popular Japanese seasoning and is made by fermenting soybeans. It is mixed with koji and salt. Some variants of miso are also made from barley, rice, and seaweed.

It has a thick consistency and can be used for spreads and sauces. Some people also use it for pickling meats and veggies.

Generally, it has a salty flavor, but the taste might differ with variants, such as sweet, fruit, earthy, and savory.

7. Gochujang

Like most other alternatives on this list, Gochujang is also made using fermented soybeans. However, it includes a whole lot of chili peppers.

The main difference between Gochujang and doenjang is the fact that chili is often the dominant ingredient in Gochujang.

If you want a spicier alternative to doenjang, go with Gochujang. Keep in mind that this does add a considerable element of spice to whatever it is you’re cooking, so that’s something you need to take into account.

However, because Gochujang is so versatile, you can easily add it to a variety of different dishes.

8. Korean Soy Sauce

Another popular option available to you is Korean soy sauce. Available from almost every major supermarket, Korean soy sauce is slightly different from conventional soy sauce.

It’s also a popular alternative to Doenjang because parts of Doenjang actually contain soy sauce. When the soybeans are fermented, they are then separated into liquids and solids.

The liquid part is the soy sauce, whereas the solid part is what forms the base for the doenjang. More importantly, you can use Korean soy sauce in virtually any dish you like, as long as consistency isn’t a major concern.

It’s probably one of the most direct alternatives to doenjang out there.

These are just some of the most popular choices available to you if you are looking for a decent alternative to doenjang. Depending upon the nature of the dish and the extent of flexibility available to you, any of these could be a viable choice!