Out of Tamari, one case
Vegan tamari substitute
8 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Coconut aminos
Same amount as the tamari
The best vegan tamari substitutes are coconut aminos (1:1), liquid aminos (1:1), or miso paste diluted with water (1 tsp miso + 2-3 tbsp water = 1 tbsp tamari). All are plant-based and provide similar umami flavor.
- Best for —
- vegan cooking
One casethe full tamari card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of tamari |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coconut aminosvegan cooking | Same amount |
| 2 | Liquid aminosvegan cooking | Same amount |
| 3 | Miso paste + watersoups | 1 tsp miso + 2-3 tbsp water per 1 tbsp tamari |
| 4 | Mushroom saucestir-fries | Same amount |
| 5 | Vegetable broth + saltsoups | 1 cup broth + 1 tsp salt per 1 tbsp tamari |
| 6 | Soy sauce (vegan)stir-fries | Same amount |
| 7 | Bragg liquid aminosvegan cooking | Same amount |
| 8 | Liquid smoke + saltbarbecue sauces | 1 tsp liquid smoke + 1 tsp salt + 2 tbsp water per 1 tbsp tamari |
Coconut aminos
sweeter, similar umami · similar texture
Coconut aminos is made from coconut sap and provides a similar umami flavor to tamari. It's naturally vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free, making it good for plant-based cooking. It's slightly sweeter than tamari but works well in most applications.
- Best for
- vegan cooking, gluten-free cooking, soy-free diets, stir-fries, marinades, dressings, all plant-based recipes
Vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free alternative with similar umami flavor.
Liquid aminos
very similar · similar texture
Liquid aminos is made from soybeans without wheat, making it very similar to tamari in both flavor and texture. It's vegan and gluten-free, providing the same umami depth as tamari, making it an excellent substitute for plant-based cooking.
- Best for
- vegan cooking, gluten-free cooking, stir-fries, marinades, sauces, dressings, health-conscious cooking
Vegan alternative made from soybeans, very similar to tamari.
Miso paste + water
similar umami, slightly different
Miso paste diluted with water creates a similar umami flavor to tamari. Use white or yellow miso for milder flavor, red miso for stronger flavor. This provides the fermented depth that tamari is known for and is naturally vegan.
- Best for
- soups, sauces, marinades, when you want authentic Japanese flavor, gluten-free cooking, fermented food benefits
- Texture
- thicker, needs dilution
- Prep
- Mix miso paste with warm water until smooth and the consistency of tamari.
Fermented soybean paste diluted with water for similar umami flavor.
Mushroom sauce
earthy, similar umami · similar texture
Mushroom sauce provides umami flavor similar to tamari without soy. It's made from mushrooms and provides earthy, savory depth that works well in many dishes. It's naturally vegan and provides a unique flavor profile.
- Best for
- stir-fries, sauces, marinades, vegetarian cooking, when you want earthy umami, mushroom-based dishes
Umami-rich alternative made from mushrooms.
Vegetable broth + salt
basic, salty
A simple combination of vegetable broth and salt can provide some of the savory depth of tamari. This is a basic substitute that works in a pinch but lacks the complexity of tamari. It's completely vegan and easy to make.
- Best for
- soups, sauces, when you need a simple substitute, vegetarian cooking, basic flavor enhancement
- Texture
- thinner
- Prep
- Mix vegetable broth with salt to taste, adjusting the salt level to match your preference.
Simple alternative using vegetable broth and salt.
Soy sauce (vegan)
similar but saltier
Traditional soy sauce is vegan and can be used as a substitute for tamari. It's saltier and contains wheat, but it's widely available and provides similar umami flavor. Use slightly less or add water to balance saltiness.
- Best for
- stir-fries, marinades, sauces, dressings, general cooking, when tamari is unavailable
- Texture
- thinner
- Prep
- Use directly as a 1:1 substitute, or dilute with a small amount of water if too salty.
Traditional soy sauce is vegan and widely available.
Bragg liquid aminos
very similar · similar texture
Bragg Liquid Aminos is made from soybeans without wheat, making it very similar to tamari. It's vegan and gluten-free, providing the same umami depth as tamari, making it an excellent substitute for health-conscious vegan cooks.
- Best for
- vegan cooking, health-conscious cooking, stir-fries, marinades, dressings, gluten-free cooking
Vegan alternative made from soybeans, very similar to tamari.
Liquid smoke + salt
smoky, salty · similar texture
Liquid smoke combined with salt and water can provide some of the depth of tamari, especially in barbecue applications. This works best when you want a smoky flavor profile and is completely vegan.
- Best for
- barbecue sauces, marinades, when you want smoky flavor, grilled dishes, smoky flavor profiles
- Prep
- Mix liquid smoke with salt and water, adjusting proportions to taste.
Smoky alternative for specific applications.
How it behaves in this recipe
Vegan tamari substitutes work best when you need to maintain the umami depth and savory flavor of dishes while avoiding animal products. The best substitute depends on whether you also need to avoid soy or gluten.
Tips for substituting tamari
15 tips- Coconut aminos is the safest choice for vegan cooking as it's both soy-free and gluten-free
- Liquid aminos provides the closest flavor match to tamari while being vegan
- Miso paste is naturally vegan and provides authentic Japanese flavor
- Mushroom sauce adds unique earthy umami without soy or animal products
- Vegetable broth and salt is a simple but basic substitute for tamari
- Liquid smoke works well when you want smoky flavor in your dishes
- Always check labels for hidden animal products in processed sauces
- Store vegan alternatives in a cool, dark place for best shelf life
- When in doubt, use coconut aminos as it's both vegan and gluten-free
- Miso paste is good for adding fermented depth to vegan dishes
- For the most authentic flavor, use miso paste diluted with water
- Coconut aminos works well in both sweet and savory applications
- Liquid aminos is good for health-conscious vegan cooking
- Mushroom sauce is ideal for adding earthy umami to plant-based dishes
- Combine multiple vegan umami sources for the most complex, satisfying taste
Notes on tamari
- Create a custom umami blend by combining coconut aminos, mushroom powder, and a touch of liquid smoke
- Use dried mushroom broth as a base and add coconut aminos for concentrated mushroom flavor
- Add sun-dried tomatoes for natural glutamic acid in Mediterranean dishes
- Use seaweed flakes for natural umami in Asian dishes
- Combine multiple vegan flavor enhancers for the most complex, satisfying taste
- For authentic Japanese flavor, use miso paste diluted with water
- For health-conscious cooking, use Bragg Liquid Aminos or coconut aminos
- For smoky flavor, use liquid smoke combined with salt and water
Questions
10 questionsWhat's the best vegan substitute for tamari?
Coconut aminos is the best vegan substitute for tamari. It's also gluten-free and soy-free, providing similar umami flavor while being completely plant-based.
Is tamari vegan?
Yes, tamari is vegan as it's made from soybeans without any animal products. However, if you're avoiding soy, you'll need a soy-free substitute like coconut aminos.
Can I use liquid aminos instead of tamari?
Yes, liquid aminos is an excellent vegan substitute for tamari. It's made from soybeans without wheat and provides very similar flavor and texture.
What's the best soy-free vegan substitute for tamari?
Coconut aminos is the best soy-free vegan substitute for tamari. It's made from coconut sap and provides similar umami flavor without soy or animal products.
Can I use miso paste instead of tamari?
Yes, miso paste diluted with water is a great vegan substitute for tamari. Use 1 teaspoon miso with 2-3 tablespoons water for 1 tablespoon tamari.
What vegan tamari substitute works best for stir-fries?
Coconut aminos or liquid aminos work best for stir-fries. Both provide similar umami flavor and are completely vegan.
Can I use mushroom sauce instead of tamari?
Yes, mushroom sauce is a good vegan substitute for tamari. It provides earthy umami flavor and is completely plant-based.
Is soy sauce vegan?
Yes, traditional soy sauce is vegan as it's made from soybeans and wheat without any animal products. However, it contains gluten and is saltier than tamari.
What's the best vegan tamari substitute for marinades?
Coconut aminos or liquid aminos work best for marinades. Both provide similar umami flavor and are completely vegan.
Can I use vegetable broth instead of tamari?
Yes, vegetable broth with salt can be used as a basic vegan substitute for tamari, but it lacks the complexity and umami depth of tamari.