Out of MSG cooking, one case
MSG cooking substitute
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Soy sauce
1 tsp for every ½ tsp MSG
The best MSG cooking substitutes depend on the dish: soy sauce for general cooking, fish sauce for Asian dishes, Worcestershire for meat, and nutritional yeast for vegetarian cooking.
- Verdict —
- Tweak it
- What changes —
- similar taste, different texture
- Best for —
- stir-frying
One casethe full MSG card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of ½ tsp MSG cooking | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soy saucestir-frying | 1 tspTweak it | Tweak it |
| 2 | Fish sauceAsian stir-fries | 1 tspWorks | Works |
| 3 | Worcestershire saucemeat dishes | 1 tspTweak it | Tweak it |
| 4 | Miso pastesoups | 1 tspTweak it | Tweak it |
| 5 | Nutritional yeastvegetarian cooking | 1 tbspTweak it | Tweak it |
Soy sauce
similar taste, different texture
Soy sauce is the most versatile MSG cooking substitute. It works in almost any cooking method and provides both umami and saltiness. Use in stir-fries, marinades, and sauces.
- Best for
- stir-frying, marinades, sauces, soups, braising
Versatile, works in most cooking methods.
Fish sauce
enhanced taste, similar texture
Fish sauce provides intense umami flavor and is essential in Asian cooking. It works particularly well in stir-fries, soups, and curries where you want deep, savory flavor.
- Best for
- Asian stir-fries, soups, curries, marinades, dipping sauces
Intense umami, good for Asian cooking.
Worcestershire sauce
enhanced taste, different texture
Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies and provides both umami and acidity. It's good for meat dishes, sauces, and marinades where you want complex flavor.
- Best for
- meat dishes, sauces, marinades, Bloody Marys, gravies
Complex flavor with umami and tanginess.
Miso paste
enhanced taste, different texture
Miso paste is fermented soybeans that provide deep umami flavor. It works especially well in soups, marinades, and sauces where you want complex, fermented flavor.
- Best for
- soups, marinades, sauces, glazes, dressings
Fermented umami, adds depth and complexity.
Nutritional yeast
enhanced taste, different texture
Nutritional yeast provides natural umami flavor and is good for vegetarian cooking. It has a cheesy, nutty taste that enhances sauces, soups, and pasta dishes.
- Best for
- vegetarian cooking, sauces, soups, popcorn, pasta
Natural umami, cheesy flavor, no sodium.
How it behaves in this recipe
MSG cooking substitutes work best when you need to enhance the savory flavor of dishes during the cooking process. The best substitute depends on the cooking method, cuisine, and other ingredients in the dish.
Tips for substituting MSG cooking
6 tips- Add liquid substitutes early in cooking to allow flavors to develop
- Fish sauce is very potent - start with less and add more to taste
- Soy sauce adds saltiness, so reduce other salt in the recipe
- Miso paste should be added at the end of cooking to preserve its probiotic benefits
- Nutritional yeast works best when added just before serving
- Combine multiple umami sources for the most complex flavor
Notes on MSG cooking
- Create a custom umami blend by combining soy sauce, fish sauce, and mushroom powder
- Use anchovy paste for concentrated umami in Mediterranean dishes
- Add sun-dried tomatoes for natural glutamic acid in Italian cooking
- Use seaweed flakes for natural umami in Asian dishes
- Combine multiple flavor enhancers for the most complex, satisfying taste
Questions
5 questionsWhat's the best MSG substitute for cooking?
Soy sauce is the most versatile MSG cooking substitute, working in almost any cooking method. For Asian dishes, use fish sauce; for meat dishes, use Worcestershire sauce.
Can I use soy sauce instead of MSG in stir-fries?
Yes, soy sauce is good for stir-fries. Use 1 teaspoon soy sauce for every ½ teaspoon MSG, but remember to reduce other salt in the recipe.
What MSG substitute works best for soups?
Fish sauce and miso paste work best for soups. Fish sauce provides intense umami, while miso adds fermented complexity. Add miso at the end of cooking.
Can I use Worcestershire sauce as MSG substitute?
Yes, Worcestershire sauce is an excellent MSG substitute for meat dishes. It contains anchovies which provide natural umami, plus it adds tanginess and complexity.
What's the best MSG substitute for vegetarian cooking?
Nutritional yeast and miso paste are the best MSG substitutes for vegetarian cooking. They provide natural umami without any animal products.