Sauce, hoisin, ready-to-serve
FDC 172886tbsp (16 g)
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
Density 6 · -4 vs Soups & sauces medianHoisin sauce carries a Nutrient Density Score of 6 of 100, placing it in the Low band at rank 38 of 60 in Soups & sauces. It offers a modest 10% DV of dietary fiber per serving, a small but real contribution from the fermented soybean base that anchors most hoisin recipes.
It's brushed onto duck, stirred into stir-fry glazes, or used as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, usually a tablespoon or two at a time given its intensity. That intensity comes with real numbers to watch: 1620 mg of sodium and 27.3 g of sugar per 100 g, both flagged as high. Since hoisin sits below the category median of 10, wasabi is a listed alternative that scores higher.
See how this score is calculated, build a plate around sauce, hoisin, or compare it with another food.
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
Percent of calories derived by NutriVerdict from USDA grams
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 220 kcal | 11% |
| Total fat | 3.4 g | 4% |
| Saturated fat | 0.57 g | 3% |
| Cholesterol | 3 mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 1620 mg | 70% |
| Carbohydrate | 44 g | 16% |
| Dietary fiber | 2.8 g | 10% |
| Sugars | 27 g | |
| Protein | 3.3 g | 7% |
| Potassium | 119 mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 32 mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1 mg | 6% |
| Magnesium | 24 mg | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 0.4 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 0 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin E | 0.28 mg | 2% |
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 35 kcal | 2% |
| Total fat | 0.54 g | 1% |
| Saturated fat | 0.09 g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0.48 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 259 mg | 11% |
| Carbohydrate | 7.1 g | 3% |
| Dietary fiber | 0.45 g | 2% |
| Sugars | 4.4 g | |
| Protein | 0.53 g | 1% |
| Potassium | 19 mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 5.1 mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0.16 mg | 1% |
| Magnesium | 3.8 mg | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 0.06 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 0 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin E | 0.04 mg | 0% |
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
FDC 172886Original analysis by NutriVerdict
What it is rich in
Nutrients supplying at least 10% of the Daily Value per 100 grams. 20% or more is an excellent source.
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
Versus the soups & sauces median
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
More nutrient-dense swaps
Foods in the same category that score higher on nutrient density.
WasabiDensity 6 vs 6Gravy, chicken, dryDensity 7 vs 6Sauce, duck, ready-to-serveDensity 7 vs 6Original analysis by NutriVerdict
In the kitchen and how to use it
Hoisin sauce is a thick, glossy Chinese condiment built from fermented soybean paste, garlic, and warm spices, delivering a balance of sweet, salty, and savory flavor. It is brushed onto Peking duck and char siu pork before roasting, stirred into stir-fries for a quick glaze, served as a dipping sauce alongside spring rolls and moo shu wraps, or thinned with a little water and rice vinegar to coat grilled meats and vegetables.
Sold in bottles or jars, hoisin keeps for months in the refrigerator once opened thanks to its sugar and salt content acting as natural preservatives. A little goes a long way: brush it on in a thin layer rather than pouring, since it is concentrated in both sodium, at 1620mg per 100 grams, and sugar, at 27.3 grams per 100 grams. It does carry a modest 2.8 grams of fiber per 100 grams from its soybean base, more than many other bottled sauces, and its 3.31 grams of protein per 100 grams also comes largely from that fermented soy foundation.
Frequently asked questions about sauce, hoisin
How many calories are in hoisin sauce?
220 calories per 100 grams.
What is hoisin sauce used for?
It's commonly brushed on roasted or grilled meats like duck and pork, stirred into stir-fries, or served as a dipping sauce for spring rolls.
Is hoisin sauce high in sodium?
Yes, it contains 1620mg of sodium per 100 grams, so it's typically used in small amounts.