Out of Soy sauce, one case
Homemade soy sauce substitute
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Worcestershire + water + sugar
Same amount as the soy sauce
Worcestershire + 1 tbsp water + 1 tsp sugar
The best homemade soy sauce substitutes are Worcestershire sauce with water and sugar (1:1 Worcestershire + 1 tbsp water + 1 tsp sugar), coconut aminos with rice vinegar (1:1 coconut aminos + 1 tsp rice vinegar), or miso paste with water (1 tbsp miso + 2 tbsp water).
- Verdict —
- Tweak it
- What changes —
- different taste, similar texture
- Best for —
- general cooking
One casethe full soy sauce card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of soy sauce | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Worcestershire + water + sugargeneral cooking | Same amountWorcestershire + 1 tbsp water + 1 tsp sugarTweak it | Tweak it |
| 2 | Coconut aminos + rice vinegargluten-free cooking | Same amountCoconut aminos + 1 tsp rice vinegarTweak it | Tweak it |
| 3 | Miso paste + watersoups | 1 tbsp miso + 2 tbsp waterTweak it | Tweak it |
| 4 | Beef broth + Worcestershire + sugarmeat dishes | Same amountBeef broth + 1 tsp Worcestershire + 1 tsp sugarTweak it | Tweak it |
| 5 | Vegetable broth + tamari + sugarvegetarian cooking | Same amountVegetable broth + 1 tsp tamari + 1 tsp sugarWorks | Works |
| 6 | Salt + sugar + vinegar + wateremergency substitutes | 1 tsp salt + 1 tsp sugar + 1 tsp vinegar + 2 tbsp waterTweak it | Tweak it |
Worcestershire + water + sugar
different taste, similar texture
Mix Worcestershire sauce with water and sugar to create a simple soy sauce substitute. This combination provides umami flavor with added sweetness and is good for quick cooking needs.
- Best for
- general cooking, marinades, sauces, quick substitutes
Simple combination using common pantry ingredients.
Coconut aminos + rice vinegar
different taste, similar texture
Combine coconut aminos with rice vinegar to create a balanced soy sauce substitute. The vinegar adds acidity that balances the natural sweetness of coconut aminos.
- Best for
- gluten-free cooking, soy-free diets, Paleo cooking, Asian dishes
Gluten-free and soy-free, adds acidity to balance sweetness.
Miso paste + water
similar taste, different texture
Mix miso paste with water to create a rich, umami-packed soy sauce substitute. Miso provides the same fermented complexity as soy sauce and is available in gluten-free varieties.
- Best for
- soups, marinades, sauces, vegetarian cooking, health-conscious cooking
Rich umami flavor, naturally fermented, gluten-free option available.
Beef broth + Worcestershire + sugar
different taste, similar texture
Combine beef broth with Worcestershire sauce and sugar for a rich, meaty soy sauce substitute. This works well for marinades and meat dishes but isn't suitable for vegetarians.
- Best for
- meat dishes, marinades, sauces, Western-style cooking
Rich flavor, not suitable for vegetarians.
Vegetable broth + tamari + sugar
similar taste and texture
Mix vegetable broth with tamari and sugar for a vegetarian-friendly soy sauce substitute. This combination provides balanced flavor with umami from the tamari.
- Best for
- vegetarian cooking, soups, marinades, sauces
Vegetarian-friendly, balanced flavor profile.
Salt + sugar + vinegar + water
different taste, similar texture
Create a basic soy sauce substitute using only salt, sugar, vinegar, and water. This is the most basic substitute and works in a pinch when other ingredients aren't available.
- Best for
- emergency substitutes, basic cooking, when other ingredients aren't available
Basic substitute using only pantry staples.
Tips for substituting soy sauce
7 tips- Homemade substitutes work best when made fresh and used immediately
- Store homemade substitutes in the refrigerator for up to 1 week
- Adjust seasonings to taste - add more salt for saltiness, more sugar for sweetness
- Use homemade substitutes in the same applications as regular soy sauce
- For best results, let homemade substitutes sit for 10-15 minutes before using
- Homemade substitutes can be customized with additional herbs and spices
- Test homemade substitutes in small amounts before using in large recipes
Questions
7 questionsHow do I make a simple soy sauce substitute at home?
Mix 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce with 1 tablespoon of water and 1 teaspoon of sugar. This creates a basic soy sauce substitute using common pantry ingredients.
Can I make a gluten-free soy sauce substitute at home?
Yes, mix 1 tablespoon of coconut aminos with 1 teaspoon of rice vinegar and a pinch of salt. This creates a gluten-free and soy-free substitute that works well in most recipes.
How long do homemade soy sauce substitutes last?
Homemade soy sauce substitutes typically last 3-7 days in the refrigerator. Store them in an airtight container and check for any signs of spoilage before using.
What's the best homemade substitute for Asian cooking?
For Asian cooking, mix 1 tablespoon of miso paste with 2 tablespoons of water and 1 teaspoon of rice vinegar. This provides the closest flavor profile to traditional soy sauce.
Can I make a vegetarian soy sauce substitute?
Yes, mix 1 tablespoon of vegetable broth with 1 teaspoon of tamari and 1 teaspoon of sugar. This creates a vegetarian-friendly substitute with balanced flavor.
How do I make a low-sodium soy sauce substitute?
Mix 1 tablespoon of coconut aminos with 1 teaspoon of rice vinegar and ½ teaspoon of sugar. Coconut aminos are naturally lower in sodium than regular soy sauce.
What's the easiest homemade soy sauce substitute?
The easiest substitute is mixing 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce with 1 tablespoon of water and 1 teaspoon of sugar. This uses only common pantry ingredients and takes less than a minute to make.