The Best Worcestershire Sauce Replacements
Ever reach for the Worcestershire sauce only to find the bottle is empty? Don’t panic — that tangy, earthy, savory kick is easier to replicate than you think. Whether you’re cooking a stew, grilling steak or mixing a bloody mary, these substitutes and DIY blends will save the day without a store run.
Let’s look at the best Worcestershire sauce alternatives, why they work and how to adjust them to suit your dish. Whether you need a quick fix or want to make your own version from scratch, these swaps have you covered.
Why We Swap and Substitute
When you hit the backup pantry for an ingredient and it’s not there you have two choices, go to the store OR use a substitution. Substitutions are cheap and a trip to the store is not.
When you go to the store for one missing item, it usually turns into a bag of groceries. And that my friends is why we use subs and swaps, a trip to the store in this day and age is often too expensive to justify. We go to Costco once a month, buy all of our produce from a food club, and buy dairy locally to keep our food budget intact.
A Word Of Warning
Caution: When using recipe substitutes, you’re swapping out one ingredient for another, so choose the best one for your recipe, and know that possibly it might taste a little different or look different. Proceed at your own risk.
The Purpose of Worcestershire Sauce
The earthy, tangy, umami flavor of Worcestershire sauce serves several purposes in cooking. Here are some ways we use it:
- Worcestershire sauce is often used when cooking burgers, shellfish and other dishes.
- It’s one of the main ingredients in cocktail sauce.
- It is often used in marinades for meat, fish or poultry.
- Worcestershire sauce is often used as a seasoning for soups, stews and salads because it adds umami flavor, deepening the flavor profile.
- It is used in broths and stocks to add flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce is in some cocktails like the bloody mary.
- It can also add a tangy kick to cream cheese dips and spreads where it cuts the heaviness.
Worcestershire Sauce Substitutes
Here’s a closer look at some of the easiest swaps and how to use them. Reminder: substitutions are not the real deal, but they can get you pretty close.
Red wine vinegar and tamarind paste
Combine equal parts of red wine vinegar and tamarind paste until they are well mixed. This combination is tarter, tangier and sweeter than Worcestershire sauce and works well in marinades, salad dressings and sauces. When using this mixture as a substitute for Worcestershire sauce, use half of what the recipe calls for.
Balsamic Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar has acidity, tanginess, sweetness and tartness similar to Worcestershire sauce. Mix it with equal parts of tamarind paste if you want a thicker texture. It is best for salad dressings and marinades. Use as a 1-for-1 replacement for Worcestershire sauce.
Sherry Vinegar
Sherry vinegar is lighter in color and not as spicy but it has a flavor similar to Worcestershire sauce. It works well in marinades, dressings and sauces. Use it as a 1-for-1 substitute for Worcestershire sauce.
Soy Sauce and Ketchup
Soy sauce and ketchup have a sweet, sour, and salty flavor that mimics Worcestershire. It is best for dishes that will be cooked like burgers, stews and meatloaf. Combine equal parts soy sauce and ketchup and use as a 1-for-1 replacement.
“Worcestershire is a staple in my home. I typically buy it in Costco-sized bottles, but when I do run out, I use a combination of soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and a little bit of hot sauce. It gives you that spicy, sweet, salty combo that makes Worcestershire so good.
— Renee N Gardner, Renee Nicole’s Kitchen
Soy Sauce and Brown Sugar
Soy sauce has the salty tang of Worcestershire and brown sugar gives it a sweet, rich flavor. It works great for pork, beef, chicken and pasta. Add the soy sauce in the amount of Worcestershire called for and then drop in a pinch of brown sugar. This combination can be used as a 1-for-1 substitute for Worcestershire sauce.
Soy Sauce, Hoisin Sauce and Apple Cider Vinegar
A mixture of soy sauce, hoisin sauce and apple cider vinegar has an umami flavor with sweet and savory depth and a bit of acidity. It works best for stir-fries, marinades and dipping sauces. Combine equal parts soy sauce and hoisin sauce and a splash of apple cider vinegar as a 1-for-1 replacement for Worcestershire. For sweeter results, add more hoisin. If you prefer it saltier, add more soy sauce.
Soy Sauce and Apple Juice
Soy sauce and apple juice will be milder and sweeter than Worcestershire so adjust other seasonings in your dish if necessary. This combination works well in marinades, stir-fries, sauces and dressings. Stir together equal parts soy sauce and apple juice and use as a 1-for-1 substitute for Worcestershire sauce.
“I’ve used a mix of soy sauce, vinegar and a pinch of sugar as a Worcestershire sauce substitute, especially for steak marinades.
— Kristin King, Dizzy Busy and Hungry
Coconut Aminos
Coconut aminos are made from aged coconut sap and sea salt and have a flavor profile similar to Worcestershire. And they’re perfect for marinades, sauces and bloody marys. Coconut aminos are naturally gluten free and vegetarian. And I know people also use it as a soy sauce substitute. They can be used as a 1-for-1 replacement for Worcestershire sauce.
Fish Sauce
Be careful with fish sauce. It can be very overwhelming and ruin a dish with one to many shakes of the bottle. It is salty and savory and has a distinct fishy taste but can work as a substitute for Worcestershire sauce. It works well in meatloaf, soups and chilis. It can be used as a 1-for-1 substitute for Worcestershire sauce. I recommend adding a small amount and adding more after tasting it.
Fish Sauce, Lemon Juice and Cranberry Juice
A mixture of fish sauce, lemon juice and cranberry juice is a salty, sweet, savory and tangy combination. Stir together an equal amount of each component and use it as a 1-for-1 replacement for Worcestershire.
Fish sauce, soy sauce and brown sugar
A combination of fish sauce, soy sauce and brown sugar also works as a substitute. Mix fish sauce and soy sauce with a large pinch of brown sugar. This only works in dishes that will be cooked so the brown sugar can dissolve fully and you aren’t left with a gritty texture. It works as a 1-for-1 substitute for Worcestershire.
Oyster sauce
Oyster sauce has a deep umami flavor and is made from corn starch, soy sauce and caramelized oyster juice. You might find you like it better than Worcestershire sauce. It can be used as a 1-for-1 replacement for Worcestershire sauce.
Happy Swapping!
With all these easy swaps and substitutions, you’re sure to find one to suit your needs! There’s no reason to stop what you’re doing and run to the store to buy a single ingredient when there are so many ways to make it up at home.
You can keep your dishes tasting amazing without leaving your house. From pantry staples like soy sauce to mixes with tamarind paste, you’ve got plenty of options to keep that savory kick alive. Next time your bottle’s empty, try one of these tricks — you might even find a new favorite.
