A brownish-red Chinese sauce made from soybean paste, garlic, vinegar, sugar, spices and flavorings. It is both sweet and mildly spicy with a texture that typically is thick and creamy. It is used in many Asian dishes, including stir-fries and braised meat, but most commonly, it is brushed on barbecued meats. Hoisin sauce lasts indefinitely when stored in a glass jar in the refrigerator.