Ingredient substitution guide
Best substitutes for plum sauce
Best swap for plum sauce: Duck sauce. Same thing, different name. Use it 1:1.
How we checked this: these swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes, and their ratios follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than one published chart. For exact amounts on many common swaps, see the NDSU and Colorado State University extension tables listed below. Editorial policy
What can I use instead of Plum Sauce?
Plum Sauce and Duck Sauce are the same ingredient under different names, so swap one for the other 1:1. Another option is Hoisin Sauce, 1:1; thicker, more savory - thin with a little water. The table below also lists Apricot Preserves plus Soy Sauce and Sweet Chili Sauce, 4 swaps in all.
| Swap | Ratio and notes |
|---|---|
| Duck sauce | Same thing, different name. Use it 1:1. |
| Hoisin sauce | 1:1; thicker, more savory - thin with a little water Diet and health: Lee Kum Kee's regular hoisin lists soybeans, wheat and sesame as allergens; check the label on other brands. |
| Apricot preserves plus soy sauce | 2 tbsp preserves, 1 tsp soy sauce and a splash of rice vinegar per 2 tbsp plum sauce Diet and health: Contains gluten. |
| Sweet chili sauce | 1:1; spicier and thinner; stir in a little jam to sweeten |
Source and limits
These swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes to your kitchen, last updated . We remove swaps known to be unsafe, but not every swap has been tested in a kitchen, and a swap is cooking guidance, not an allergen or nutrition equivalent. Check labels and what the recipe needs before substituting.
The ratios and usage notes follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than a single published chart. These two university extension tables list exact amounts for many common swaps:
- Ingredient Substitutions (FN198), NDSU Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Ingredient Substitutions (9.329), Colorado State University Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Lee Kum Kee USA, Hoisin Sauce (opens in a new tab)
Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.