Out of Worcestershire sauce, one case

Vegan Worcestershire sauce substitute

5 options, ranked, with the exact amount

Use thisBest of 5 options

Use Bottled vegan Worcestershire

Same amount as the Worcestershire sauce

Traditional Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies, so it is neither vegan nor vegetarian. The quickest vegan stand-in is 2 teaspoons soy sauce and 1 teaspoon vinegar, with a pinch of sugar, for each tablespoon of Worcestershire. A bottle labeled vegan Worcestershire replaces it 1:1 with no other change.

Verdict —: Works
Best for —: Caesar dressing and Bloody Marys
Pantry —: Special trip

One casethe full Worcestershire sauce card

Every option, one card

Ranked

Worcestershire sauce substitutes compared
#	Substitute	Instead of Worcestershire sauce	Verdict
1	Bottled vegan WorcestershireCaesar dressing and Bloody Marys	Same amountWorks	Works
2	Soy sauce + vinegarmarinades, stews and chili	2 tsp soy sauce + 1 tsp vinegar per 1 tbspTweak it	Tweak it
3	Homemade vegan blendCaesar-style dressings and dips	Same amountTweak it	Tweak it
4	Coconut aminossoy-free and gluten-free cooking	Same amountTweak it	Tweak it
5	Steak sauceveggie burgers and meatless loaf	Same amountYou'll taste it	You'll taste it
Not a swap	Fish sauce or oyster sauce	not a swapNot for this	Not for this

What changesWhat changes, option by option5 options

Bottled vegan Worcestershire

close to the original, slightly less funky

Worcestershire made without anchovies, usually from soy sauce or tamari, vinegar, molasses, tamarind and spices. It is the only option that tastes like the original.

Best for: Caesar dressing and Bloody Marys, burgers, chili and gravy, any recipe where Worcestershire is a main flavor
Suits: vegan, vegetarian
Where it fails: Many are soy-based and some contain wheat, so check the label for a gluten-free or soy-free kitchen.

Look for the word vegan on the label. Some store-brand Worcestershire sauces have no anchovies either, so read the ingredient list on the bottle you already have.

Soy sauce + vinegar

savory and tangy; the spice, molasses and tamarind notes are missing

Soy sauce supplies the salt and savory depth that the anchovies gave; vinegar supplies the tang. A pinch of sugar rounds it off.

Best for: marinades, stews and chili, veggie burgers and lentil loaf, stir-fries and gravy
Prep: Use apple cider vinegar if you have it, add a pinch of sugar, and hold back a pinch of the recipe's salt.
Suits: vegan, vegetarian
Contains: soy, gluten
Where it fails: A Bloody Mary or Caesar dressing, where Worcestershire is tasted on its own and the simpler flavor shows. Use the full homemade blend or a bottled vegan sauce there.

Homemade vegan blend

savory, tangy and lightly sweet

A stirred-together version with the sweet and spiced notes added: 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon garlic powder and ¼ teaspoon onion powder. It makes about 3 tablespoons.

Best for: Caesar-style dressings and dips, snack mix and roasted nuts, barbecue sauce and baked beans
Prep: Stir until the sugar dissolves, then measure it 1:1 for the Worcestershire. Brown sugar or molasses in place of the white sugar brings it closer.
Suits: vegan, vegetarian
Contains: soy, gluten
Where it fails: It is thinner and less complex than the bottled sauce, so a drink or dressing built around Worcestershire will taste simpler.

Keep any extra in a jar in the refrigerator and shake before using.

Coconut aminos

mild, sweet and savory

A dark seasoning sauce made from coconut sap. It is sweeter and less salty than soy sauce, which puts it near Worcestershire straight from the bottle, and it has no soy or wheat.

Best for: soy-free and gluten-free cooking, marinades and glazes, stir-fries
Prep: Add ½ teaspoon vinegar per tablespoon for the tang.
Suits: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, soy-free
Where it fails: It is mild. In a strongly seasoned dish you may need a little more of it and a pinch of salt.

Steak sauce

sweeter and fruitier

Tangy, spiced and thicker than Worcestershire, with tomato and fruit in it. Most steak sauces are made without anchovies, but recipes differ by brand, so read the label.

Best for: veggie burgers and meatless loaf, glazes and barbecue sauce, baked beans
Where it fails: Drinks and thin dressings, where the thickness and the tomato flavor stand out.

Fish sauce or oyster sauce

savory and salty

Both are often listed as Worcestershire substitutes, and both are made from seafood.

Best for: cooks who are not avoiding fish
Contains: fish
Where it fails: Fish sauce is fermented anchovies and oyster sauce is made from oysters. Neither is vegan or vegetarian.

Tips for substituting Worcestershire sauce

5 tips

For 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire, use 2 teaspoons soy sauce and 1 teaspoon vinegar. For 1 ½ teaspoons, use 1 teaspoon soy sauce and ½ teaspoon vinegar.
Read the label before you buy a substitute: the ingredient to look for is anchovies, sometimes listed as fish. Some ordinary store brands leave them out.
For gluten-free, make the blend with tamari labeled gluten-free. For soy-free, use coconut aminos with ½ teaspoon vinegar per tablespoon.
For more depth in a stew or gravy, add ½ teaspoon tomato paste or a pinch of mushroom powder along with the soy and vinegar.
Soy sauce is saltier than Worcestershire. Taste before adding the recipe's salt.

Questions

4 questions

Is Worcestershire sauce vegan or vegetarian?

The traditional recipe is neither. It is made with anchovies, and they appear on the label of the best-known brands. Vegan versions leave them out, and they say so on the label.

What is a vegan substitute for Worcestershire in a Bloody Mary or Caesar dressing?

A bottled vegan Worcestershire is the best choice, 1:1, because the sauce is tasted directly in both. Without one, use the homemade blend of soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic powder and onion powder in the same amount. For a vegan Caesar, a teaspoon of capers or their brine adds the briny note the anchovies gave.

Can I use only soy sauce as a vegan Worcestershire substitute?

Yes, in a cooked dish. Use about 2 teaspoons per tablespoon of Worcestershire, because soy sauce is saltier. It gives the savory depth without the tang, so add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice if the dish tastes flat.

Is there a vegan Worcestershire substitute without soy?

Use coconut aminos 1:1 with ½ teaspoon vinegar per tablespoon. It is soy-free and wheat-free, sweeter and less salty than soy sauce, so check the salt at the end.