This is the quick and easy 2-ingredient recipe of how to make Kecap Manis (Indonesian Sweet Soy Sauce), also called ketjap manis. It's a recipe savior when making a recipe that calls for this delightfully sweet and salty sauce!
Kecap Manis (Indonesian Sweet Soy Sauce)
This recipe is a very quick version, meant to be used in recipes that call for kecap manis to save you a trip to the grocery store (if you have a good Asian market nearby that is) or from buying specialty ingredients online.
Having this recipe on hand has saved us the frustration of knowing that we were missing something particular in a recipe. Something like a certain flavor that a few dishes at Panda Express are known for or other Asian recipes.
Make your stir-fry, fried rice, marinades, and glazes amazingly flavorful!
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Now, about this sweet soy sauce and why you have to have it!
Kecap is a catch-all term for the five core fermented sauces of Indonesia, and manis is 'sweet'.
So kecap manis translates to 'sweet sauce'. That would explain why it is believed to be Indonesia's most popular sauce!
🤔 What Is Kecap Manis?
If you think it sounds a bit like our household staple ketchup, you're right. Kecap manis is indeed a distant relative to the fish-based sauce that was the origin of today's ketchup.
It is, basically, a sweetened and reduced soy sauce.
🥘 Ingredients
For my super easy two-ingredient version, you will need equal parts soy sauce and light brown sugar.
- Sugar - Either light brown sugar, dark brown sugar, or molasses can be used instead. However, if you happen to have palm sugar on hand, it would be closer to a true kecap manis sauce.
- Soy Sauce - I do recommend reduced sodium (lite) soy sauce. You'll be cooking the sauce down to thicken it, which can result in a super-salty flavor if using regular soy sauce.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 Instructions
Ready to up your stir-fry game?! Grab a saucepan and bring this rich and tasty sauce to a simmer for the best homemade kecap manis!
- Combine and heat. Combine ingredients in a small saucepan and stir to dissolve the sugar while you bring the sauce to a low boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat and simmer. Once you reach a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the liquid becomes syrupy (viscous), about 10-15 minutes.
- Stir. Be sure to stir frequently to prevent over-boiling.
- Check the consistency. The sauce is done when it clings to your spoon and drizzled back into the saucepan.
- Cool and thicken. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely (the sauce will continue to thicken while cooling).
Absolutely a perfect recipe for chow mein!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- There are a wide variety of additions to this sauce! Everything from ginger, garlic, crushed red pepper, star anise, cloves - the list goes on. I've added them to the recipe card with amounts for all of the optional ingredients you may like to try.
- Using 1 ⅓ cup each of soy sauce and brown sugar will yield about 1 cup of the kecap manis after it has been reduced. I find this to be the perfect amount for 2-4 dishes over a week or two.
- The sauce needs to thicken enough that it clings to a spoon when drizzled back into the pan, but not too viscous yet as it will continue to thicken while cooling.
🥡 Storing
Stored in an airtight container and kept refrigerated, the kecap manis sweet soy sauce will keep for up to two months.
❓ Recipe FAQs
Kecap manis, or ketjap manis, is actually sweeter than hoisin sauce. Both are sweet, thickened sauces. However, kecap manis is thickened by reducing the sauce ingredients, and hoisin sauce is thickened using cornstarch.
Kecap manis is used as a dipping sauce, a marinade ingredient, stir-fry sauce, glazes, barbecue sauce, and much more. It's a staple ingredient to make nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice) and my Panda Express Shanghai Angus Steak recipe.
🥢 More Sauces
- Ponzu Sauce
- Arrabbiata Sauce
- Teriyaki Sauce
- Cheese Sauce For Broccoli
- Chicken Wing Sauce
- Lemon Butter Sauce For Fish
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📖 Recipe Card
How To Make Kecap Manis (Indonesian Sweet Soy Sauce)
Ingredients
Quick & Easy 2-Ingredient Version
- 1 ⅓ cup palm sugar (brown sugar or molasses can be used instead)
- 1 ⅓ cup soy sauce (reduced sodium soy sauce is best)
Additional Stir-Ins
- 1 tablespoon molasses (or treacle)
- 2-4 cloves garlic
- ½ tablespoon ginger (peeled and diced)
- 2 curry lime leaves
- 2 star anise (whole)
- 2 cloves (whole)
- ¼ teaspoon coriander seeds (whole)
- ¼ teaspoon black peppercorns (whole)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a small saucepan and stir to dissolve the sugar while you bring the sauce to a low boil over medium-high heat.
- Once you reach a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the liquid becomes syrupy (viscous), about 10-15 minutes. Be sure to stir frequently to prevent over-boiling. *Add optional ingredients once simmering. Stir in molasses, garlic cloves, diced ginger, lime leaves, star anise, cloves, coriander seeds, and/or black peppercorns if desired.
- The sauce is done when it clings to your spoon when drizzled back into the sauce pan.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool completely (the sauce will continue to thicken while cooling). Store in an airtight container. Will keep refrigerated for up to 2 months.
Kim says
Really easy recipe and perfect on chicken!
Kelly Hansen says
I boiled this on low for 25 minutes and it was still liquid, not even remotely viscous. Any tips? Only thing I see differently is that I use a smaller saucepan so the liquid is higher in the pot.
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
How low of a boil was it? If you're having problems getting it to thicken, do use a pan with a larger cooking surface and bring your heat up a hair while cooking. Hope that helps, and let me know if you have any additional questions. Thanks!
Kelly Hansen says
I’ll try that! Any way to thicken it now that it’s cooled?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Cornstarch would work if you heat it up again...bring to a boil with a slurry of 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch and an equal amount of cold water mixed then whisk it into the sauce. Once you reach a boil remove from heat and allow to cool. Enjoy!