Five Spice Marinade
Infuse your dishes with bold and aromatic flavors using this irresistible Five Spice Marinade, a true game-changer for boosting your favorite proteins. This easy-to-make recipe combines the savory depth of soy sauce and hoisin sauce with the tang of rice vinegar, the nutty richness of toasted sesame oil, and the perfect touch of sweetness from brown sugar. The star ingredient, Chinese five spice powder, lends a fragrant medley of cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns, creating a marinade that’s as versatile as it is delicious. Enhanced with fresh garlic, ginger, and an optional kick of red pepper flakes, this marinade is perfect for chicken, pork, shrimp, or tofu, delivering restaurant-quality results in just 10 minutes of prep. With its balance of salty, sweet, spicy, and umami notes, this marinade is a must-have in your cooking repertoire. Make it ahead and store it in the fridge for up to five days, ensuring quick and delicious meals any day of the week. Your next flavorful masterpiece starts here!
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Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tablespoon water (to thin, if needed)
Directions
Step 1
In a medium mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil. Whisk until well blended.
Step 2
Add the brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and Chinese five spice powder to the bowl. Whisk thoroughly until the sugar dissolves.
Step 3
If you like a bit of heat, stir in the optional red pepper flakes.
Step 4
If the marinade is too thick, add 1 tablespoon of water and mix well to achieve your desired consistency.
Step 5
Taste the marinade and adjust seasoning if necessary (e.g., add a pinch more sugar for sweetness or a splash more soy sauce for saltiness).
Step 6
Use immediately or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Step 7
To marinate, pour over your choice of protein (such as chicken, pork, shrimp, or tofu) and let sit for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours in the refrigerator before cooking.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | 169.9 grams (169.9g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 238 |
| Total Fat 10.80g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat 1.50g | 8% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0.60g | |
| Cholesterol 1mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2827mg | 123% |
| Total Carbohydrate 30.20g | 11% |
| Dietary Fiber 2.20g | 8% |
| Total Sugars 17.90g | |
| Protein 7.60g | 15% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 59mg | 5% |
| Iron 2mg | 10% |
| Potassium 318mg | 7% |
Source of Calories