Oyster sauce is not always an ingredient that people have handy in their kitchen. And some people have allergies to shellfish, like oysters. Thus, finding a replacement for this sauce can come in handy. Here are 13 different sauces to use in place of oyster sauce. Here at Parade.com, we’re all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.
Best Oyster Sauce Substitutions
1. Fish sauce
Fish sauce is made from fermented fish and salt. It has a much fishier taste than an oyster sauce but can be swapped out for oyster sauce in dishes. “You may need to add or increase sweeter ingredients to balance the flavor,” says Allie Echevveria, an Atlanta-based nutritionist.
2. Hoisin sauce
Hoisin sauce has a similar consistency to oyster sauce. “It will add an umami flavor and it has sweetness,” says Echevveria. This sauce does, however, lack some of the salty flavors of oyster sauce. Try adding a splash of fish sauce to hoisin sauce to create a very close substitute for oyster sauce. Hoisin sauce can also serve as a dipping sauce for spring rolls or dumplings, as well as a marinade for chicken or tofu in stir-fry dishes.
3. Soy sauce
“Soy sauce brings a saltiness flavor and can be balanced out with the addition of sugar to mimic oyster sauce,” says Chef Julie Lopez, a registered dietitian and co-owner of Culinary Nutrition Studio. This sauce is a little thinner in consistency than oyster sauce, but the sugar can help to thicken it.
4. Black bean paste
Black bean paste is made from fermented black beans, has a similar color and consistency to oyster sauce and will replicate the texture when substituting with it. “Note that most prepared black bean paste has the addition of other seasonings like vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and sugar,” says Lopez. This is a great vegan replacement for oyster sauce.
5. Bragg Liquid Aminos
This seasoning-based sauce is made from non-GMO soy and water. “Mixed with a little bit of honey or coconut sugar to sweeten, it is the perfect alternative for oyster sauce,” says Liana Werner-Gray, a certified nutritionist and author of The Earth Diet,Cancer-Free with Food and Anxiety-Free with Food. “Made with minimal ingredients, Bragg Liquid Aminosis a sauce you could use daily in an array of dishes.” This sauce pairs well with Asian-inspired dishes or can even serve as a salad dressing.
6. Worcestershire sauce
“The combination of Worcestershire sauce, which is made from fermented anchovies, which gives that salty umami flavor, mixed with a dash of soy sauce and a little sugar for added sweetness is a great alternative,” explains Jane. She suggests only using this in smaller amounts, as the flavor packs a bigger punch than oyster sauce. “It can be too overpowering in large quantities,” says Jane.
7. Vegan oyster sauce
Oyster sauce can actually be made using mushrooms and mushroom extracts to make it suitable for vegetarians and vegans. “It still provides the umami flavor but contains less salt compared to oyster sauce,” explains Jane. Try thisvegetarian oyster sauce recipe from I Heart Umami.
8. Sweet soy sauce
Also known as ‘Kecap Manis,’ this sauce originated from Indonesia, and you only need half of the amount as oyster sauce to get the flavor you’re after. You can purchase this sweet soy sauce, or make this at home by combining soy sauce with brown sugar, molasses, garlic, ginger and spices. Try this recipe from Daring Gourmet.
9. Teriyaki sauce
This is a sweeter alternative to oyster sauce, but it does have a similar consistency. “It’s made from soy sauce, sugar and sake or mirin and if you’re in a bind, this can be used instead,” says Jane.
10. Miso Paste
Traditionally used as a Japanese seasoning, miso paste is made from fermented soybeans and comes in a variety of forms, from smooth to more intense flavors. “It’s a great substitute to add into a dish for that salty umami flavor hit, but it does lack the sweet element you may be looking for,” explains Jane.
11. Umami paste
The umami flavor makes this a great base for soups, stews and even gravies. You can make umami paste by combining a selection of ingredients like anchovies, soy sauce, tomato paste, fish sauce, olive oil, mushrooms and garlic. It can also be purchased as a paste or even as stock cubes. Try this recipe for umami paste by EatingWell, which is vegan-friendly.
12. Anchovy paste
This is a paste consisting of ground anchovies, vinegar, spices and some sugar and water. “It definitely delivers on the salty umami flavor, but is lacking a little of the sweetness you’d expect from oyster sauce,” says Jane. Anchovy paste contains fish, which means it’s not vegetarian or vegan friendly, but for those who eat fish, Jane notes that it’s a great source of zinc.
13. Tapenade
“While this may seem far off from oyster sauce, a good shop-bought or homemade tapenade—made from olives, anchovies and olive oil—can give that umami flavor you’re looking for,” says Jane. Along with the saltiness of the olives and anchovies, this is an Italian spin on the flavors of oyster sauce. Next, check out common substitutions.
Sources:
Chef Julie Lopez, a registered dietitian and co-owner of Culinary Nutrition StudioRebecca Jane, a registered nutritional therapist and founder of NutriPODAllie Echevveria, an Atlanta-based nutritionistLiana Werner-Gray, a certified nutritionist and author of The Earth Diet,Cancer-Free with Food and Anxiety-Free with Food
