🍯 Sauces & Condiments

Homemade Soy Sauce Substitute

Learn how to make homemade soy sauce substitutes with simple pantry ingredients. Discover easy recipes for Worcestershire-based, coconut aminos-based, and miso-based soy sauce alternatives.

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Quick Answer

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).

Best Substitutes

Worcestershire + Water + Sugar

1:1 Worcestershire + 1 tbsp water + 1 tsp sugar

Mix Worcestershire sauce with water and sugar to create a simple soy sauce substitute. This combination provides umami flavor with added sweetness and is perfect for quick cooking needs.

Best for:

general cookingmarinadessaucesquick substitutes

Simple combination using common pantry ingredients

Coconut Aminos + Rice Vinegar

1:1 coconut aminos + 1 tsp rice vinegar

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 cookingsoy-free dietsPaleo cookingAsian dishes

Gluten-free and soy-free, adds acidity to balance sweetness

Miso Paste + Water

1 tbsp miso + 2 tbsp water

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:

soupsmarinadessaucesvegetarian cookinghealth-conscious cooking

Rich umami flavor, naturally fermented, gluten-free option available

Beef Broth + Worcestershire + Sugar

1:1 beef broth + 1 tsp Worcestershire + 1 tsp sugar

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 dishesmarinadessaucesWestern-style cooking

Rich flavor, not suitable for vegetarians

Vegetable Broth + Tamari + Sugar

1:1 vegetable broth + 1 tsp tamari + 1 tsp sugar

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 cookingsoupsmarinadessauces

Vegetarian-friendly, balanced flavor profile

Salt + Sugar + Vinegar + Water

1 tsp salt + 1 tsp sugar + 1 tsp vinegar + 2 tbsp water

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 substitutesbasic cookingwhen other ingredients aren't available

Basic substitute using only pantry staples

Cooking 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

Frequently Asked Questions

How 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 1/2 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.

Summary

Learn how to make homemade soy sauce substitutes with simple pantry ingredients. Discover easy recipes for Worcestershire-based, coconut aminos-based, and miso-based soy sauce alternatives.