What’s a good substitute for Worcestershire?

In this article, we will answer the question “What’s a good substitute for Worcestershire?”. We will also discuss some other possible substitutes for Worcestershire. 

What’s a good substitute for Worcestershire?

One of the best substitutes for Worcestershire Sauce is Soy Sauce. This one was pretty obvious. It’s also the simplest to obtain. Soy sauce adds a salty umami flavour to recipes, making it a fantastic Worcestershire sauce substitute. 

Add a pinch of brown sugar to the soy sauce if you want it to taste even more like it. Soy sauce pairs nicely with meat, particularly beef, and robust vegetable dishes. Soy sauce is a terrific item to use if you’re making a stew or soup and want to add some flavour.

What are some other substitutes for Worcestershire?

Are you looking for a substitute for Worcestershire sauce? You’ve come to the right place! Continue reading for Worcestershire Sauce alternatives.

  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Hoisin Sauce
  • Tamarind Paste
  • Anchovy Paste
  • Miso Paste
  • Fish Sauce
  • Oyster Sauce
  • Marmite
  • Steak Sauce
  • Coconut Aminos

Balsamic Vinegar

Because Worcestershire sauce is made with vinegar, it makes sense that balsamic vinegar would be a viable substitute. Sauces, soups, casseroles, gravies, and stews benefit with a dash of balsamic vinegar, or even red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar, to add sweetness and acidity.

Balsamic vinegar on its own could be a touch lacking as a direct substitution for Worcestershire sauce. Mix in some garlic powder, onion powder, a smidgeon of anchovy paste, and a dash of soy sauce, and you’ll have a savoury, sweet, completely flavoured sauce that’ll transform any dish.

Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin sauce is a savoury, sweet, and sour sauce created from plums, garlic, and fermented black beans. It’s a favourite in many Asian cuisines because of its capacity to completely change the flavour of a meal on its own.

Hoisin sauce is a wonderful substitute for Worcestershire sauce on its own, especially with fowl dishes like duck, turkey, or chicken, because of its rich sweet and savoury depth of flavour. You could also combine it with soy sauce and a dash of apple cider vinegar for a lovely sweet-savoury balance with a hint of acidity.

Tamarind Paste

Tamarind paste is a fundamental ingredient in Worcestershire sauce, and it gives food a characteristic tart savoury flavour. It may not be enough to cover for Worcestershire sauce on its own because it lacks the sweetness of that wonderful ingredient.

Even so, it’ll make a terrific alternative when mixed with equal parts soy sauce and a big splash of apple cider vinegar. For a little more zing, add a squeeze of lime juice!

Anchovy Paste

Did you realise that anchovies are an important component in Worcestershire sauce? Yep. Just a smidgeon of anchovies imparts a great umami flavour that can easily improve a dish.

A teaspoon of anchovy paste adds depth to any sauce or stew, especially those with meat or tomatoes. Even a whole anchovy might be chopped up and added to the sauce. Try adding a diced anchovy to a lamb stew as a secret ingredient. It will elevate it to a whole new level!

Miso Paste

Fermented soybeans, salt, koji, rice, barley, seaweed, and other components make up this excellent Japanese foodstuff. If you’re short of Worcestershire sauce and need something to add a big kick of salty, savoury, earthy flavour, miso paste is the way to go.

It’s a fantastic addition to meat marinades, soups, casseroles, gravies, and any other recipe that requires a boost of flavour.

Fish Sauce

Fish sauce, which has a flavour similar to Worcestershire sauce, is another ingredient that works well as a substitute. Fish sauce is derived from fermented anchovies, just like Worcestershire sauce. 

Because it lacks the other ingredients that give Worcestershire sauce its balanced flavour, fish sauce has a much more direct flavour. 

You can always add some brown sugar and soy sauce, as well as some lime juice or balsamic vinegar for acidity and a sprinkling of onion powder, to make a beautifully balanced fish sauce that works well as a Worcestershire sauce substitute.

Oyster Sauce

Oyster sauce, another fishy staple, adds a punch of flavour to your fish meals. It’s a perfect Worcestershire sauce substitute, made with caramelised oyster fluids, soy sauce, sugar, and water, then thickened with cornstarch.

This fish sauce is one of the best items to use when you want to give a pleasant dose of umami without the overbearing saltiness of something like soy sauce. It’s great in any fish meal, as well as with noodles and delicately drizzled over salads.

Marmite

Marmite is a powerful condiment. It certainly divides opinion – the advertising tagline was “you either love it or loathe it” – but there’s no denying that it’s a great substitute for Worcestershire sauce if you’re seeking a bold flavour. 

For vegans and vegetarians, it’s a particularly good Worcestershire sauce alternative.

Marmite is a yeast extract that contains several hidden ingredients like spices, celery extracts, and other vegetable extracts. Start by spreading a little on a slice of bread with lashings of butter if you’ve never had it before. Once you’re in, you’re in for the rest of your life!

Steak Sauce

In the absence of Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce can perform wonderfully in a meaty marinade in need of extra richness, a silky sauce in need of flavour, or a robust stew in need of a large boost.

The flavour will go well with beef, as the name says. But don’t stop there. Steak sauce can be used as a Worcestershire sauce substitute in sauces, casseroles, meaty soups, and stews. 

It lacks some of Worcestershire sauce’s subtle spiciness. So, throw in some garlic powder, onion powder, and a smidgeon of tabasco, and you’ve got yourself a winner!

Coconut Aminos

Coconut aminos, like Worcestershire sauce, are created from fermented substances. This very healthy sauce is made from fermented coconut palm sap and sea salt, and it’s a great vegan alternative to Worcestershire sauce.

With colour and consistency comparable to soy sauce, it goes well with any fish dish, especially Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, or Korean dishes in need of a flavour boost. Coconut aminos have a strong umami flavour, but they’re not as salty as many of the other ingredients on this list.

Other FAQs about Sauces that you may be interested in.

What is the brown sauce they use at hibachi?

What sauces do Japanese restaurants use?

What does hoisin sauce taste like?

What is fish sauce made of?

Conclusion 

In this article, we answered the question “What’s a good substitute for Worcestershire?”. We also discussed some other possible substitutes for Worcestershire. 

Hope this blog was informative. If you have any queries, feel free to comment below.

Citation 

https://www.thespruceeats.com/worcestershire-sauce-ingredients-1808089