🐟 Seafood

Dried Shrimp Substitute - Asian Cooking Alternatives

Discover the best substitutes for dried shrimp in Asian cooking including pad thai, fried rice, and stir-fries. Find alternatives for flavor and texture.

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Quick Answer

The best substitutes for dried shrimp are fish sauce, anchovy paste, or miso paste. For texture, use dried mushrooms or seaweed. For flavor, use fish sauce or anchovy paste.

Best Substitutes

Fish Sauce

1 tablespoon per 1/4 cup dried shrimp

Fish sauce provides the same umami depth and salty flavor as dried shrimp. It's the most common substitute in Thai and Vietnamese cooking.

Best for:

pad thaifried ricestir-friessoups

Add at the end of cooking for best flavor

Anchovy Paste

1 teaspoon per 1/4 cup dried shrimp

Anchovy paste provides intense umami flavor similar to dried shrimp. It's more concentrated, so use less than the recipe calls for.

Best for:

pasta dishesstir-friessaucesmarinades

Use sparingly as it's very concentrated

Dried Mushrooms

1:1

Dried mushrooms provide similar chewy texture and umami flavor. Shiitake or porcini mushrooms work best.

Best for:

fried ricestir-friessoupsvegetarian dishes

Soak in warm water for 20 minutes before using

Miso Paste

1 tablespoon per 1/4 cup dried shrimp

Miso paste provides fermented umami flavor similar to dried shrimp. Use white or yellow miso for milder flavor.

Best for:

soupsstir-friesmarinadesvegetarian dishes

Add early in cooking to develop flavor

Seaweed (Nori or Kombu)

1 sheet per 1/4 cup dried shrimp

Seaweed provides oceanic flavor and umami depth. Toast and crumble for best results.

Best for:

soupsstir-friesrice dishesvegetarian dishes

Toast and crumble for best flavor

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Soak dried mushrooms in warm water for 20 minutes before using
  • 💡Add fish sauce at the end of cooking to preserve flavor
  • 💡Toast seaweed before crumbling for enhanced flavor
  • 💡Use anchovy paste sparingly as it's very concentrated
  • 💡Add miso paste early in cooking to develop flavor
  • 💡For texture, use dried mushrooms or crumbled seaweed

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best substitute for dried shrimp in pad thai?

Fish sauce is the best substitute for dried shrimp in pad thai. Add 1-2 tablespoons at the end of cooking for authentic flavor.

Can I use fresh shrimp instead of dried shrimp?

Yes, but the flavor will be different. Dried shrimp has concentrated umami flavor that fresh shrimp lacks. Use fish sauce or anchovy paste for similar taste.

How do I substitute dried shrimp in fried rice?

Use fish sauce or anchovy paste for flavor, and dried mushrooms for texture. Add the fish sauce at the end of cooking.

Is there a vegetarian substitute for dried shrimp?

Yes, use dried mushrooms or seaweed. Shiitake mushrooms work particularly well for texture and umami flavor.

Can I use shrimp paste instead of dried shrimp?

Yes, shrimp paste is made from dried shrimp, so it's a good substitute. Use 1 teaspoon per 1/4 cup dried shrimp called for.

Summary

Find the best substitutes for dried shrimp in Asian cooking including pad thai, fried rice, and stir-fries. Discover alternatives for flavor and texture.