Out of Worcestershire sauce, one case

Worcestershire sauce substitute for meatloaf

5 options, ranked, with the exact amount

Use thisBest of 5 options

Use Soy sauce + vinegar

2 tsp soy sauce + 1 tsp vinegar for every 1 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce

In meatloaf, replace each tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce with 2 teaspoons soy sauce and 1 teaspoon vinegar, plus a pinch of sugar. That covers the salty, savory and tangy notes the sauce adds to the meat. A.1. or another steak sauce also works in the same amount and makes the loaf slightly sweeter. Most meatloaf recipes use only 1 to 2 tablespoons, so the loaf holds together the same with any of these.

Verdict —: Tweak it
The tweak —: Stir in a pinch of sugar or ½ teaspoon of ketchup, and hold back a pinch of the recipe's salt, because soy sauce is saltier than Worcestershire.
Best for —: the meat mixture
Pantry —: Likely in your cupboard

One casethe full Worcestershire sauce card

Every option, one card

Ranked

Worcestershire sauce substitutes compared
#	Substitute	Instead of 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce	Verdict
1	Soy sauce + vinegarthe meat mixture	2 tsp soy sauce + 1 tsp vinegarTweak it	Tweak it
2	A.1. or other steak saucethe meat mixture	Same amountWorks	Works
3	Barbecue saucethe glaze	Same amountYou'll taste it	You'll taste it
4	Coconut aminossoy-free and gluten-free meatloaf	Same amountTweak it	Tweak it
5	Fish saucethe meat mixture	½ tsp per 1 tspTweak it	Tweak it

What changesWhat changes, option by option5 options

Soy sauce + vinegar

savory and tangy; the spice and tamarind notes are missing

Soy sauce brings the salt and the savory depth; the vinegar brings the tang. Together they do most of what Worcestershire does in a meat mixture.

Best for: the meat mixture, the ketchup glaze, meatballs and burgers made the same way
Prep: Stir in a pinch of sugar or ½ teaspoon of ketchup, and hold back a pinch of the recipe's salt, because soy sauce is saltier than Worcestershire.
Suits: vegan
Contains: soy, gluten
Where it fails: A soy-free or gluten-free table: use coconut aminos, or tamari for gluten-free only.

Apple cider, white or red wine vinegar all work.

A.1. or other steak sauce

sweeter and fruitier, with the same tang

Steak sauce is tangy, savory and spiced like Worcestershire, with tomato and fruit added. It is thicker, which makes no difference once it is mixed into the meat.

Best for: the meat mixture, the ketchup glaze, when you want a slightly sweeter loaf
Where it fails: A loaf that already has a lot of ketchup or brown sugar in it can tip toward sweet; cut the ketchup in the mixture by a tablespoon.

Barbecue sauce

sweeter and smoky

Sweet, tangy and often smoky. It does not taste like Worcestershire, but it suits meatloaf and many recipes use it in the glaze already.

Best for: the glaze, a smoky or barbecue-style meatloaf
Where it fails: A classic, plain meatloaf where you wanted savory depth and not sweetness. It also browns fast as a glaze: brush it on for the last 15 minutes.

Coconut aminos

mild, sweet and savory

A dark, soy-free seasoning sauce that is less salty and sweeter than soy sauce, which puts it close to Worcestershire without any other change.

Best for: soy-free and gluten-free meatloaf, the meat mixture
Prep: Add ½ teaspoon vinegar per tablespoon for the tang.
Suits: vegan, gluten-free, soy-free
Where it fails: It is milder than Worcestershire, so the loaf can taste a little flat without the vinegar and enough salt.

Fish sauce

deeply savory and salty, with no sweetness or spice

Worcestershire gets its savory depth from anchovies, and fish sauce is fermented anchovies. It is far saltier and stronger, so use half and it disappears into the cooked meat.

Best for: the meat mixture
Prep: Use half the amount, add ½ teaspoon vinegar per tablespoon of Worcestershire replaced, and leave out a pinch of the recipe's salt.
Contains: fish
Where it fails: The glaze, where it is not cooked into anything and the smell comes through. Do not use it for anyone avoiding fish.

How it behaves in this recipe

In this recipeWorcestershire sauce

In meatloaf, Worcestershire sauce is a seasoning, not a binder. A tablespoon or two adds salt, tang and a savory depth that makes ground beef taste meatier, and it often goes into the ketchup glaze too. The eggs and breadcrumbs hold the loaf together, so swapping the sauce changes the flavor only.

Tips for substituting Worcestershire sauce

5 tips

For the usual 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire in a 2-pound meatloaf, use 4 teaspoons soy sauce and 2 teaspoons vinegar, and reduce the added salt by about ¼ teaspoon.
Do not taste the raw mixture. Fry a teaspoon of it in a skillet until cooked through, taste that, and adjust the salt before you shape the loaf.
For the glaze, stir 1 tablespoon steak sauce, or 2 teaspoons soy sauce and 1 teaspoon vinegar, into ½ cup ketchup in place of the Worcestershire.
A teaspoon of Dijon mustard or tomato paste in the mixture adds back some of the depth if the swap tastes flat.
Bake as the recipe says. The swap does not change the time; a beef or pork meatloaf is done at 160°F in the center, and a turkey or chicken one at 165°F.

Questions

4 questions

Does A.1. work in place of Worcestershire sauce in meatloaf?

Yes. Use the same amount. A.1. is thicker and sweeter, with tomato and raisin in it, but it has the same tangy, savory character and no one will notice the difference in a baked meatloaf. It works in the glaze as well.

Can I leave Worcestershire sauce out of meatloaf?

Yes. The loaf will hold together and bake the same, because the sauce is only there for flavor. It will taste a little plainer, so add an extra pinch of salt and a teaspoon of mustard or ketchup to the mixture.

Can I use only soy sauce in place of Worcestershire in meatloaf?

Yes, but use a little less, about 2 teaspoons per tablespoon, because soy sauce is saltier. Without the vinegar you lose the tang, which matters less in the meat than in the glaze.

What can I use for a meatloaf without fish or anchovies?

Regular Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies. Soy sauce with vinegar, coconut aminos, steak sauce and barbecue sauce are normally fish-free, but check the label on the bottle you have. Skip fish sauce.