If you’re out of Worcestershire sauce, don’t worry! There are plenty of delicious substitutes that will add flavor to your dish. In this blog post, we will discuss 15 of the best Worcestershire sauce substitutes.
Some of these substitutes are common pantry staples you can mix together, while others may be a little more difficult to find.
But no matter what, we guarantee that you’ll be able to find a substitute that will work well in your recipe.
So without further ado, let’s get started!
Worcestershire Sauce Substitutes
- Balsamic vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Coconut aminos
- Soy Sauce & Ketchup
- Oyster sauce
- Fish sauce
- Barbecue sauce
- Sherry vinegar
- Soy sauce & Apple juice
- Hoisin Sauce, Soy Sauce & Apple Cider Vinegar
- Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Fish Sauce
- Red Wine Vinegar & Tamarind Paste
- Anchovy Paste & Water
- SOY SAUCE, APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, RED PEPPER FLAKES
- SOY SAUCE, LEMON JUICE, GRANULATED SUGAR, HOT SAUCE
- SOY SAUCE, LIME JUICE, BLACKSTRAP MOLASSES, GARLIC POWDER, VINEGAR, HOT SAUCE, GRANULATED SUGAR
Balsamic vinegar
Balsamic vinegar is a fantastic substitute for Worcestershire sauce. It has a deep, complex flavor that is both sweet and sour. Balsamic vinegar is made from grape juice that has been cooked down and then aged in wooden barrels.
This lengthy aging process gives balsamic vinegar its distinctive flavor.
Balsamic vinegar can be used in a variety of dishes, including marinades, salad dressings, and sauces. It is also a great addition to grilled meats and vegetables.
If you are looking for a Worcestershire sauce substitute that will add depth and complexity to your dishes, balsamic vinegar is an excellent choice.
Soy sauce
Soy sauce is a common substitute for Worcestershire sauce. Soy sauce is made from fermented soybeans and has a salty, savory flavor. Worcestershire sauce is a similar fermented sauce that is also made from soy which they hide under the label “natural ingredients.”
As such, Soy sauce can be used in many of the same dishes as Worcestershire sauce, such as steak, chicken, or fish. Soy sauce is also a common ingredient in Asian cuisine.
If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce on hand, soy sauce is a good 1:1 substitute. Soy sauce is also readily available in most grocery stores.
Soy sauce & Apple juice
Soy sauce and apple juice make for a decent Worcestershire sauce substitute in a pinch. To make the switch, use equal parts soy sauce and apple juice in place of Worcestershire sauce in any dish. The taste will be noticeably different but the other flavors in the dish will help to balance it out.
Soy sauce is saltier than Worcestershire sauce so you may want to adjust the other seasonings in the recipe accordingly.
This swap works best in dishes with other layered flavors like stews, soups, and sauces.
So next time you’re in a bind, give soy sauce and apple juice a try.
SOY SAUCE, APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, RED PEPPER FLAKES
This mixture can be another excellent alternative to Worcestershire sauce.
Adding soy sauce will give your dish a salty flavor. Adding apple cider vinegar will add a bit of tanginess to the dish. If you want a bit of spiciness in your dish, add red pepper flakes. Start with 1/8 teaspoon and adjust to taste.
Keep in mind that this substitute mix will change the flavor of the dish, so it’s best to use them in recipes where the sauce is not a key ingredient.
SOY SAUCE, LEMON JUICE, GRANULATED SUGAR, HOT SAUCE
Soy sauce, lemon juice, granulated sugar, and hot sauce are all excellent substitutes for Worcestershire sauce. Each of these ingredients brings its own unique flavor to a dish, and the ratio you use will depend on your personal preferences.
For example, if you want a dish to be more savory, you might use a higher ratio of soy sauce. Or, if you want a dish to be tarter, you might use a higher ratio of lemon juice.
The beauty of substituting Worcestershire sauce with these ingredients is that you can tailor the flavor to your liking. So don’t be afraid to experiment until you find the perfect combination for your taste buds!
SOY SAUCE, LIME JUICE, BLACKSTRAP MOLASSES, GARLIC POWDER, VINEGAR, HOT SAUCE, GRANULATED SUGAR
A mix of soy sauce, lime juice, blackstrap molasses, garlic powder, vinegar, hot sauce, and granulated sugar will give you all the savory, salty, slightly sweet flavor of Worcestershire sauce.
Just mix these ingredients together in a bowl and use it in any dish that calls for Worcestershire sauce – your guests will never know the difference.
And if you want to get really authentic, use this mix as a marinade for grilled meats or mix it into Bloody Marys for a truly flavorful drink.
Coconut aminos
Coconut aminos is a dark-colored sauce that tastes similar to soy sauce. It can be used as a substitute for Worcestershire sauce in many dishes. Coconut aminos is made from the sap of Coconut plants. The sap is then fermented and aged.
Coconut aminos has a slightly sweeter taste than soy sauce and is less salty. It can be used in marinades, salad dressings, and as a dipping sauce.
Coconut aminos is also a good source of vitamins and minerals. The ratio to use as a substitute for Worcestershire sauce is 1:1.
Best of all, Coconut aminos can be found in most health food stores.
Oyster sauce
Oyster sauce is a great substitute for Worcestershire sauce. It can be used in any dish where you would normally use Worcestershire sauce, such as soups and chilis, marinades, and Bloody Marys.
If you are using the Oyster sauce as a substitute for Worcestershire sauce, the general rule is to use 1/2 teaspoon of Oyster sauce for every 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce to preserve the taste. This substitution will work in most recipes, but you may need to adjust the amount to suit your own taste or use it in a 1:1 ratio.
Fish sauce
Fish sauce is a common ingredient in many Southeast Asian cuisines, and it too can be used as a substitute for Worcestershire sauce. Fish sauce has a strong flavor that can add depth to soups, stews, and sauces.
It is generally used in a 1:1 ratio as a substitute for Worcestershire sauce in most cases. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, you would use 1 tablespoon of fish sauce.
Keep in mind that fish sauce is more salty than sweet, so you may need to adjust the other seasonings in the dish accordingly.
You can find fish sauce in most Asian grocery stores or online.
Barbecue sauce
Barbecue sauce can be used as a substitute for Worcestershire sauce. It can be used in the same dishes and with the same ratios.
Barbecue sauce is a thick, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce that is made with tomato paste, vinegar, sugar, and spices. It is used as a condiment on grilled or barbecued meat.
It can also be used in marinades, dips, and sauces. Barbecue sauce can be used as a Worcestershire sauce substitute in any dish that calls for it.
The flavor of the dish will be slightly different from barbecue sauce, but it will still be delicious.
Barbecue sauce is a great alternative for those who are allergic to Worcestershire sauce or who just don’t have any on hand.
Sherry vinegar
Sherry vinegar is a type of vinegar that is made from Sherry wine. It is a sweet and tangy vinegar that can be used in salad dressings, marinades, and sauces.
Sherry vinegar can also be used as a substitute for Worcestershire sauce. The general rule of thumb is to use 1 tablespoon of Sherry vinegar for every tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.
You can find Sherry vinegar in most grocery stores.
Soy sauce & Apple juice
Soy sauce & Apple juice are suitable substitutes for Worcestershire sauce.
The ratio for substituting soy sauce & apple juice for Worcestershire sauce is generally about equal parts (for example, if the recipe
Hoisin Sauce, Soy Sauce & Apple Cider Vinegar
You can also make a mixture using hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar as a substitute for Worcestershire sauce. The ratio is generally about equal parts (for example, if the recipe calls for one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, you would first mix equal parts of these three ingredients then use one tablespoon of the hoisin mixture).
This substitution will work in most recipes, but you may need to adjust the amount to suit your own taste. The flavor will be a sweet, sour & salty sauce that will mimic the flavor of Worcestershire sauce.
Hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar can all be found in most grocery stores.
Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Fish Sauce
Soy sauce, brown sugar, and fish sauce are all common substitutes for Worcestershire sauce. Soy sauce can be used in any dish that calls for Worcestershire sauce, though it will add a distinctively Asian flavor.
To mimic the flavor of Worcestershire sauce, mix soy sauce with a bit of brown sugar and vinegar. Fish sauce can also be used as a substitute, though it is much saltier than Worcestershire sauce. If using fish sauce, start with a small amount and add more to taste.
Finally, brown sugar can be used to sweeten any dish that calls for Worcestershire sauce. Simply add brown sugar to taste until the desired sweetness is achieved.
When all three are combined, they will create a sauce that is sweet, salty, and sour which is a near-perfect alternative to Worcestershire sauce.
All three ingredients can be found in most grocery stores.
Red Wine Vinegar & Tamarind Paste
Red wine vinegar and tamarind paste are great substitutes for Worcestershire sauce. Both of these ingredients add a slightly sweet and tangy flavor to dishes, making them perfect for marinades, stews, and sauces. However, you’ll need to keep in mind that it’s a bit stronger than Worcestershire.
To substitute Worcestershire sauce with red wine vinegar, use a 1/2:1 ratio. As usual, when substituting Worcestershire sauce with either of these ingredients, start with a small amount and adjust to taste. This way, you’ll be sure to get the flavor just right.
Anchovy Paste & Water
Anchovy paste and water can be used as a substitute for Worcestershire sauce. Anchovy paste is made from anchovies, garlic, vinegar, and salt. The paste is then diluted with water.
This substitute can be used in dishes such as Caesar salad dressing, cocktail sauce, and tartar sauce. Anchovy paste and water will provide a similar taste to Worcestershire sauce but will be less salty.
FAQ
Substitute for Worcestershire sauce in shepherds pie
When making shepherd’s pie, you can substitute Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, or a mixture of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar.
Worcestershire sauce substitute vegan
A good vegan Worcestershire sauce substitute would be coconut aminos. It can be used in most dishes that call for Worcestershire sauce.
Worcestershire sauce gluten-free substitute
A few good gluten-free substitutes for Worcestershire sauce are red wine, coconut aminos, gluten-free tamarind soy sauce, and dry sherry.
Conclusion
There are plenty of substitutes for Worcestershire sauce out there. You just need to find the right one for your dish. With a little experimentation,
you’ll be able to create a similar flavor profile that will satisfy your taste buds. So, don’t be afraid to try something new the next time you’re in the kitchen.
Who knows, you may just find your new favorite sauce!