Out of Fish sauce, one case
Fish sauce substitute: best alternatives for cooking
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Soy sauce + lime juice
Per 1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce + 1 tsp lime juice
The best fish sauce substitutes are soy sauce with lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, or oyster sauce. Use 1 tablespoon soy sauce + 1 teaspoon lime juice for 1 tablespoon fish sauce, or use Worcestershire sauce 1:1. Oyster sauce works well for Asian dishes but is sweeter and thicker.
- Best for —
- stir-fries
One casethe full fish sauce card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of 1 tbsp fish sauce |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soy sauce + lime juicestir-fries | 1 tbsp soy sauce + 1 tsp lime juice |
| 2 | Worcestershire saucemarinades | Same amount |
| 3 | Oyster saucestir-fries | Same amount |
| 4 | Soy sauce + rice vinegarAsian dishes | 1 tbsp soy sauce + 1 tsp rice vinegar |
| 5 | Miso paste + watersoups | 1 tsp miso paste + 2 tbsp water |
| 6 | Anchovy paste + waterItalian dishes | 1 tsp anchovy paste + 2 tbsp water |
Soy sauce + lime juice
salty, umami, tangy
Classic combination that mimics fish sauce's salty, umami flavor with acidity
- Best for
- stir-fries, marinades, sauces, dressings, soups
- Texture
- liquid
Add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity and mimic fish sauce's slight sweetness.
Worcestershire sauce
umami, savory, slightly sweet
Fermented sauce with similar umami depth and savory notes
- Best for
- marinades, sauces, stir-fries, soups, dressings
- Texture
- liquid
Contains anchovies so not suitable for vegetarians, but has similar fermented umami flavor.
Oyster sauce
sweet, umami, savory
Thick, sweet sauce made from oyster extract with rich umami flavor
- Best for
- stir-fries, noodles, rice dishes, Asian sauces
- Texture
- thick, syrupy
Much sweeter and thicker than fish sauce, so adjust other seasonings accordingly.
Soy sauce + rice vinegar
salty, umami, mild acidity
Asian-inspired combination with balanced saltiness and acidity
- Best for
- Asian dishes, stir-fries, noodles, soups
- Texture
- liquid
Rice vinegar is milder than lime juice and more authentic for Asian cooking.
Miso paste + water
umami, savory, slightly sweet
Fermented soybean paste diluted with water for umami depth
- Best for
- soups, sauces, marinades, Asian dishes
- Texture
- liquid when diluted
Choose white miso for milder flavor or red miso for stronger umami.
Anchovy paste + water
salty, fishy, umami
Concentrated anchovy flavor diluted to match fish sauce consistency
- Best for
- Italian dishes, pasta sauces, marinades, soups
- Texture
- liquid when diluted
Not suitable for vegetarians but provides authentic fish sauce flavor.
How it behaves in this recipe
Fish sauce is a fermented condiment made from fish and salt, providing deep umami flavor and saltiness to dishes. When substituting, you need to replicate both the salty and umami components. The best substitutes combine a salty base (soy sauce) with acidity (lime juice or vinegar) to mimic fish sauce's complex flavor profile.
Tips for substituting fish sauce
8 tips- For Asian stir-fries, use soy sauce + rice vinegar for the most authentic flavor profile
- When making marinades, Worcestershire sauce works well as it has similar fermented characteristics
- For soups and broths, miso paste provides deep umami without the fishy aroma
- Oyster sauce is best for dishes where you want sweetness along with umami
- Always taste and adjust - fish sauce substitutes may need additional salt or acidity
- For vegetarian dishes, avoid Worcestershire sauce and anchovy paste
- Fish sauce is very salty, so start with less substitute and add more as needed
- Consider the dish's origin - use Asian ingredients for Asian dishes, Western for Western dishes
Notes on fish sauce
- Mushroom soy sauce for deeper umami without fish
- Tamari for gluten-free option with similar umami
- Coconut aminos for soy-free alternative
- Seaweed-based seasonings for ocean-like umami
- Fermented black bean sauce for complex umami flavor
Questions
6 questionsWhat is the best substitute for fish sauce?
The best substitute for fish sauce is soy sauce mixed with lime juice or rice vinegar. Use 1 tablespoon soy sauce plus 1 teaspoon lime juice for every tablespoon of fish sauce needed.
Can I use Worcestershire sauce instead of fish sauce?
Yes, Worcestershire sauce can substitute for fish sauce in a 1:1 ratio. It has similar umami depth and fermented characteristics, though it's not suitable for vegetarians as it contains anchovies.
Is oyster sauce a good substitute for fish sauce?
Oyster sauce can work as a fish sauce substitute, but it's much sweeter and thicker. Use it 1:1 but reduce other sweet ingredients in your recipe to balance the flavors.
What can I use instead of fish sauce for vegetarian cooking?
For vegetarian cooking, use soy sauce with rice vinegar or lime juice, miso paste diluted with water, or mushroom soy sauce. Avoid Worcestershire sauce and anchovy paste as they contain fish.
How do I make fish sauce substitute at home?
Mix 1 tablespoon soy sauce with 1 teaspoon lime juice or rice vinegar. Add a pinch of sugar and a dash of salt if needed. For more umami, add a small amount of miso paste.
Can I substitute fish sauce for soy sauce?
Fish sauce can substitute for soy sauce in some dishes, but they have different flavor profiles. Fish sauce is more pungent and fishy, while soy sauce is more straightforward salty. Use about ½ to 2/3 the amount of fish sauce.