Out of Fish sauce, one case
Fish sauce vs oyster sauce
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Oyster sauce
2 tsp oyster sauce + 1 tsp water for every 1 tbsp fish sauce
Fish sauce and oyster sauce can substitute for each other in some dishes, but they have different flavor profiles. Fish sauce is salty and pungent, while oyster sauce is sweet and thick. To replace 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, use 2 teaspoons of oyster sauce thinned with 1 teaspoon of water, and reduce other sweet ingredients. To replace 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, start with 1 teaspoon of fish sauce and a pinch of sugar, then taste, because fish sauce is about three times as salty.
- Best for —
- stir-fries
One casethe full fish sauce card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of 1 tbsp fish sauce |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oyster saucestir-fries | 2 tsp oyster sauce + 1 tsp water |
| 2 | Soy sauce + sugar for oyster saucestir-fries | 2 tsp soy sauce + 1 tsp sugar per 1 tbsp oyster sauce |
| 3 | Soy sauce + lime juicestir-fries | 1 tbsp soy sauce + 1 tsp lime juice |
| 4 | Hoisin sauce for oyster saucestir-fries | 1 tbsp per 1 tbsp oyster sauce |
| 5 | Worcestershire saucemarinades | Same amount |
Oyster sauce
sweet, umami, savory
Thick, sweet sauce that can replace fish sauce in some Asian dishes
- Best for
- stir-fries, noodles, rice dishes, Asian sauces, marinades
- Texture
- thick, syrupy
Sweeter, thicker and less salty than fish sauce: thin it with the water, reduce other sweet ingredients in your recipe, and taste for salt.
Soy sauce + sugar for oyster sauce
salty, sweet, umami
Simple combination that mimics oyster sauce's salty-sweet profile
- Best for
- stir-fries, noodles, rice dishes, Asian sauces
- Texture
- liquid (add cornstarch for thickness)
Soy sauce is nearly twice as salty as oyster sauce, so use 2 teaspoons per tablespoon. Add cornstarch slurry if you need the thick consistency of oyster sauce.
Soy sauce + lime juice
salty, tangy, umami
Classic combination that mimics fish sauce's salty, tangy profile
- Best for
- stir-fries, soups, marinades, Asian dishes
- Texture
- liquid
Add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity and mimic fish sauce's slight sweetness.
Hoisin sauce for oyster sauce
sweet, savory, complex
Sweet, thick sauce that can replace oyster sauce in many dishes
- Best for
- stir-fries, noodles, rice dishes, marinades
- Texture
- thick, syrupy
Similar sweetness and thickness to oyster sauce, but with different flavor profile.
Worcestershire sauce
umami, savory, slightly sweet
Fermented sauce with similar umami depth and savory notes
- Best for
- marinades, sauces, stir-fries, soups
- Texture
- liquid
Contains anchovies so not suitable for vegetarians, but has similar fermented umami.
Fish sauce for oyster sauce
salty, umami, pungent
Salty, pungent sauce that can replace oyster sauce in some dishes
- Amount
- 1 tsp per 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- Best for
- stir-fries, soups, marinades, Asian dishes
- Texture
- liquid
Fish sauce has about three times the sodium of oyster sauce, so start with 1 teaspoon per tablespoon and add more to taste. It is thin and unsweetened: add a pinch of sugar, and do not expect a glaze.
How it behaves in this recipe
Fish sauce and oyster sauce are both essential Asian condiments but serve different purposes. Fish sauce is primarily a salty, umami seasoning used in small amounts, while oyster sauce is a sweet, thick sauce used in larger quantities for glazing and flavoring. When substituting, consider the dish's needs - salty umami depth (fish sauce) or sweet, thick coating (oyster sauce).
Tips for substituting fish sauce
8 tips- When using oyster sauce instead of fish sauce, reduce sugar and sweet ingredients in your recipe
- Fish sauce is about three times as salty as oyster sauce, so use about a third as much when it stands in for oyster sauce
- Oyster sauce is thicker than fish sauce, so you may need to add water or broth to thin it out
- For stir-fries, oyster sauce works better as a fish sauce substitute than fish sauce works for oyster sauce
- Fish sauce is better for soups and broths where you want salty, umami depth
- Oyster sauce is better for glazes and thick sauces where you want sweetness and body
- Always taste and adjust - these sauces have very different flavor profiles
- Consider the dish's origin - use the sauce that's more traditional for that cuisine
Notes on fish sauce
- Soy sauce + sugar + cornstarch for oyster sauce consistency
- Miso paste + water for fish sauce umami
- Hoisin sauce for oyster sauce sweetness
- Worcestershire sauce for fish sauce umami
- Mushroom soy sauce for enhanced umami
Questions
6 questionsCan I substitute oyster sauce for fish sauce?
Yes, you can substitute oyster sauce for fish sauce in some dishes, but oyster sauce is much sweeter and thicker. Use 2 teaspoons of oyster sauce thinned with 1 teaspoon of water per tablespoon of fish sauce, and reduce other sweet ingredients in your recipe.
Can I substitute fish sauce for oyster sauce?
Fish sauce can substitute for oyster sauce in some dishes, but it's much saltier and thinner. Start with 1 teaspoon of fish sauce per tablespoon of oyster sauce, taste, and consider adding a pinch of sugar for sweetness.
What's the difference between fish sauce and oyster sauce?
Fish sauce is salty, pungent, and liquid, made from fermented fish. Oyster sauce is sweet, thick, and syrupy, made from oyster extract. They have very different flavor profiles and textures.
Which is better for stir-fries - fish sauce or oyster sauce?
Oyster sauce is generally better for stir-fries as it provides sweetness and thickness that helps create a glossy coating on the food. Fish sauce is better for adding salty, umami depth to broths and soups.
Can I use both fish sauce and oyster sauce together?
Yes, many Asian recipes use both fish sauce and oyster sauce together. Fish sauce provides salty umami depth while oyster sauce adds sweetness and thickness. They complement each other well.
What's a good substitute for oyster sauce?
Good substitutes for oyster sauce include soy sauce + sugar, hoisin sauce, or fish sauce + sugar. For thickness, add a cornstarch slurry to any of these combinations.