Best Soy Sauce Substitutes You Might Already Have
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Soy sauce provides a signature taste to Asian dishes. It has a rich umami flavor that can be described as savory and salty.
It works well with a variety of dishes including stir-fries, dumplings, and more.
But what if youre out of soy sauce? Or what if you have a wheat allergy or other allergies that make it difficult to eat soy sauce?
Lets look at the 12 best substitutes.
So you might be watching your sodium intake and would rather not deal with soy sauces high sodium content or have an allergy so you cant eat it at all.
Well, in these instances, you may want to try one of the many soy sauce substitutes.
There are many foods that make a good substitute and Ill first quickly go through them all and cover when to use them more in a bit so you can decide which are most suitable for your dishes.
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Is Kikkoman Soy Sauce Light Or Dark
Kikkoman soy sauce is a traditional dark soy sauce, commonly used in Asian cuisine, especially Chinese cuisine. However, nowadays you will find options of this sauce that are tagged as light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and even thin soy sauce or thick soy sauce.
There is also a gluten-free version of the Kikkoman soy sauce that uses rice instead of wheat. So, this is one of the most diverse types of soy sauces you will find on the market.
Some Soy Sauce Alternative Options
Many use coconut aminos, which are made from the sap of coconut trees. It is cultivated in the Philippines and has less sodium than regular soy sauce. Coconut aminos can also have a sweeter aftertaste than soy sauce.
You can also use Worcestershire sauce in place of a soy sauce substitute. It is a salty sauce, yet it has less sodium than soy sauce. Worcestershire has a savory cooked all-day type of flavor.
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The Best Soy Sauce Substitutes
1. Fish sauce
If I run out of soy sauce, my go-to substitute is fish sauce. The flavour of soy sauce is darker and more caramel than the bright sour saltiness from fish sauce. But they both make food taste more delicious.
Start with about the same amount of fish sauce. Be prepared to add more if needed.
2. Salt
The main purpose of soy sauce is to season food. And while soy does bring a lot more than saltiness to the table, salt is the main contribution.
Salt can be the easiest substitute. And you may enjoy the cleaner flavour it provides.
Try seasoning your sushi or sashimi with sea salt flakes to experience how salt can be a more simple alternative to soy sauce.
3. Miso Paste
Another option to give you the salty umami-rich flavours is the Japanese condiment miso paste. Miso is thicker then soy sauce so best to mix it with a little water first. Start by substituting 1 teaspoon miso paste and 2 teaspoons water for each tablespoon soy sauce.
4. Coconut Aminos
If youre avoiding soy for health reasons, coconut aminos are a soy-free option. The flavour is much sweeter and significantly less salty than soy sauce. The coconut aminios I have are 37% sugar so I use sparingly! Start with less and add more as needed.
You may find substituting a little coconut aminos and some salt gives the best balance.
5. Anchovies
A few finely chopped anchovies added to a curry or stir fry can add the savoury saltiness and depth of flavour youre looking for. It wouldnt be my first option though.
Uses Of Dark Soy Sauce In The Culinary World
Different from light soy sauce, dark soy sauce is more commonly used in marination to add color to dishes. Since saltiness isnt the dominant flavor in the sauce, it wont overpower your dish.
Rather, it will give off a beautiful dark red color, making your dish more eye-catching and appetizing. Typically, dark soy sauce will be used in noodles, dressings, stews, stir-fries, and braised dishes.
A typical Chinese dish that uses dark soy sauce is red-cooked pork. In addition, the famous Asian fried rice also uses this sauce as one of the main seasonings to create brown color and boost up the flavor.
Sometimes, dark soy sauce can be used in dips too. However, it needs to be blended with many other ingredients to have a lighter taste.
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What Can I Substitute For Soy Sauce In A Marinade
Because it has similar color and consistency to light soy sauce, it is an excellent substitute for it in recipes. Soy sauces flavor is milder and sweeter than traditional soy sauce, and its less salty.
Soy sauce is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of Asian dishes. Soy sauce is created by fermenting soy beans and wheat with Aspergillus molds. A gluten-free soy sauce that uses rice instead of wheat is referred to as tamari, which is available in some stores. Salt can be used as a substitute for soy sauce to give it a cleaner taste. Sea salt flakes are an excellent way to enhance the flavor of your sushi or sashimi. Soy aminos are soy-free options that taste like sweet and salty soy sauce. Anchovy finely chopped can be used to add savory saltiness to a curry or stir fry.
Why Avoid Soy Sauce
One reason why you may wish to stay away from soy sauce is its main ingredient, soy. Soy is a common allergen, especially among children, with 0.4 percent of them having a soy allergy. While many children outgrow their soy allergies, some dont.
There are other reasons one may want to avoid soy sauce. It contains gluten, which is a problem for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. It also often contains high levels of sodium.
No matter your reasons, there are several alternatives on the market and substitute recipes to try.
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What Is Soy Sauce & Its Flavor Profile
Soy sauce is quite the symbol in Asian cuisine. Its aroma has traveled around the globe and its become famous in so many recipes. It doesnt only complete a stir-fry! You can use it to marinade and tenderize your meats for that salty-earthy-umami flavor.
- Soy sauce is made from fermented soybeans, wheat, salt, and yeast. That mix of flavors is what Asians call umami, or what can be described as savoriness.
- Soy sauce has a salty taste and yet it encompasses a sweet, caramel-like undertone.
- Soy sauce has a slightly bitter undertaste and a certain mild, delicate, barely-there tanginess that comes from fermentation.
- Soy sauce has a deep, profound, earthy aroma, coating the dish in rich, velvety goodness.
Dark Or Light Soy Sauce For Fried Rice
When it comes to fried rice, the choice between light soy sauce and dark soy sauce can be very subjective. The dark one will give your food a darker color that not everyone likes. On the other hand, dark soy sauce has a more intense flavor even if it generally contains less salt.
You can use both types of soy sauce for fried rice. However, the traditional recipes call for light soy sauce.
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Soy Sauce Alternative Ingredients
Many of these ingredients are things that you already have in the pantry!
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons of your favorite vinegar
- 4 teaspoons blackstrap molasses or date sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- teaspoon black pepper
- teaspoon garlic powder
- teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce or sesame oil
The 5 Best Substitutes For Soy Sauce
As any soy sauce lover knows, this salty, umami-rich condiment is essential for adding flavor to Asian stir-fries, marinades, and dipping sauces.
But many people dont know that soy sauce is also a versatile ingredient that can be used in all sorts of dishes, from Western roast chicken to Italian pasta sauce.
Whether youre looking for a way to add depth of flavor to your cooking or simply want to experiment with a new ingredient, soy sauce is a great option.
However, finding a suitable substitute can be tricky for those with a soy allergy or intolerance.
Luckily, there are several options available that can be used as a soy sauce substitute in any dish.
In this article, well share five of the best substitutes for soy sauce and some tips on how to use them.
Soy sauce is a fermented condiment made from soybeans, wheat, and salt.
It is used extensively in East Asian cuisine as a dipping sauce, marinade, and seasoning.
The flavor of soy sauce is complex, with notes of umami, sweetness, and saltiness.
The color can range from dark brown to almost black, and the texture can be either thick or thin.
Soy sauce is produced through a fermentation process that can take up to six months.
The soybeans and wheat are cooked and blended with a fermented rice mixture called koji.
This mixture is then left to ferment in large vats for several weeks or months.
Finally, the mixture is pressed to extract the liquid, which is then bottled and sold as soy sauce.
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How To Make Your Own Soy Sauce Substitute
If youd rather create your own soy sauce substitute at home, here is my favorite recipe that you can easily make yourself.
The best thing about making your soy sauce is that you are in control of what goes into it. If youre truly changing up your soy sauce intake for health reasons, this is the only way you have complete knowledge of what youre eating.
That said, making your own condiments is a great way to take control of your health. Soy sauce alternatives are better for you, in addition to homemade ketchup, mustard, salad dressing, and pickles. So much salt, sugar, and chemicals are pumped into store-bought condiments. Just go to your fridge and read some of the ingredients on your condiments bottlesyou will be surprised!
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How To Make My Soy Sauce Alternative Recipe
Making a homemade sub for soy sauce is way easier than you may think! Just be sure to have a clean jar or bottle for storage before beginning.
- Add all of your ingredients to a saucepan, leaving out the salt and sesame oil for now.
- Bring it to a boil and then let it simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, add the salt and sesame oil , and stir until its mixed well.
- Let your soy sauce cool, then place it in an airtight container and store it for up to a week. You can even freeze it for later use.
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Best Dark Soy Sauce Substitutes
*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure to learn more.
Soy sauce is used worldwide thanks to its rich flavor that can take your dish to a new level. You can add it to all types of dishes from soups to stir-fries, stews, and salads. There are two types of soy sauce, one dark soy sauce, and one light soy sauce.
We will discuss the main difference between these types of soy sauce as well in this guide. However, what to do if you have a recipe that calls for dark soy sauce and you dont have it? Or you dont want to use it?
The good news is that there are several options you can use instead of this soy sauce. One of the best alternatives to dark soy sauce is Teriyaki sauce or simply light soy sauce. But lets look better at the rest of the substitutes you can use.
But First What Is Soy Sauce
Chinese in origin, the salty brown liquid known as shoyu is actually made from a fermented paste of soybeans, roasted grains, brine and a mold called kji.
Traditional soy sauce takes months to make. First, soybeans are soaked and cooked, and wheat is roasted and crushed. Then the mixture is inoculated with kji, mixed with brine and left to brew. The liquid is pressed from the solids, pasteurized and bottled, and voilà, it finally ends up on your table. Depending on the country and region of origin, soy sauce can taste different from bottle to bottle, and there are endless varieties and flavors.
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Best Healthy Alternatives To Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is not a typical healthy condiment because its very high in sodium and heavily processed. However, there are several adjustments you can make to ensure your soy sauce is a healthier option.
First, many of the store brands will sell low-sodium options.
Additionally, my homemade recipe at the end of this article can be made with lower sodium by skipping the sauce and using a low-sodium version of beef broth or vegetable broth. Both of these should be readily available in stores. And by making homemade soy sauce, you avoid all the heavy processing that goes into the manufactured soy sauce.
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What Exactly Is Soy Sauce
Soy sauce also known as shoju is a brown liquid thats made from fermented soybeans and packs a salty, umami flavor.
Originally from China, the condiment has been used in East Asian and Southeast Asian cuisines for thousands of years. And it makes a mean for grilling.
There are dozens of soy sauces on the market, but they pretty much all consist of these 5 ingredients:
But while it is delicious, soy sauce poses a problem for folks with soy or wheat sensitivities.
Folks watching their sodium intake might also want to steer clear of this pantry staple 1 tablespoon of regular soy sauce has almost 40 percent of the recommended Daily Value for sodium. Lower sodium versions are available but still have about 22 percent of the DV per tablespoon.
Avoiding soy, wheat, or extra sodium doesnt mean you need to ditch every recipe that calls for soy sauce. Here are some dope alternatives.
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Soy Sauce Substitute: What Can You Use And Make
25th May 17 6:05 am by admin
When it comes to cooking condiments, soy sauce is a staple ingredient. Not just in restaurants, but many home cuisines call for soy sauce also. Soy sauce is something you cant avoid in Asian cuisine, and weve seen it used in other recipes as well recently.
But what happens when you dont have soy sauce at home? Or when you want to use gluten-free soy sauce? Well, luckily for you, there are several soy sauce substitute options you can try. Here are some alternatives to the savory taste of soy sauce.
What Is Tonkatsu Sauce
Tonkatsu Sauce is a Japanese condiment often served as a dipping sauce for fried pork cutlet . The flavor is reminiscent of a sweeter and thicker Worcestershire sauce or a tangy and sweet barbecue sauce with notes of acid, umami, and fruit. If youve eaten okonomiyaki, Tonkatsu Sauce is very similar to okonomiyaki sauce.
Traditionally, the sauce is made by stewing vegetables and fruits and then mixing in vinegar, sugar, salt, and spices. The final texture is thick enough to cling onto your favorite crispy foods without making them soggy. So yeahits kind of the perfect dipping sauce for deep-fried dishes! Besides my tonkatsu, this katsu sauce also pairs perfectly with my chicken nuggets and Cracklin Chicken!
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Why Replace Dark Soy Sauce
The main reason to replace dark soy sauce is because it has high levels of salt. Salt is an important ingredient in cooking, but too much salt can cause health problems. In addition, if you dont cook with enough salt, then your food will not taste good. Dark soy sauce is also high in sugar, and this can make your food taste sweet. Sugar is another ingredient that can cause health problems. So, if youre looking to reduce the amount of salt and sugar in your diet, then dark soy sauce is one of the best ingredients to remove from your kitchen cupboard.
Fried Rice Soy Sauce Substitutes
Soy sauce is a crucial ingredient in most fried rice recipes because soy sauce is an easy way to add lots of color, flavor, and moisture to rice-based dishes.
However, you may be wondering what soy sauce substitute you can use for fried rice. I compiled a list of fried rice soy sauce alternatives you can try!
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You Have Soy Allergies
Soy allergies are common among people who have been diagnosed with asthma. The reason is because soybeans contain high levels of trypsin inhibitors, which block the action of the enzyme trypsin. Trypsin is responsible for breaking down proteins. When this happens, the body cannot properly break down protein, which leads to inflammation. In addition, soybeans contain phytates, which bind to minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese. These minerals are essential for proper digestion.
How To Make Light Soy Sauce From Dark
If you have a recipe that calls for light soy sauce and all you have is dark, you can try to add customize your dark soy sauce to meet the requirements of your recipe.
You may need to add a little extra salt and possibly thin the soy sauce with a bit of extra water. There may still be stronger flavors from the dark sauce, so it wont be an exact match, but it is very similar.
If you have all-purpose soy sauce, you can use that as a substitute for light soy sauce as well and this will actually be an even closer substitution match.
If you dont have any soy sauce at all, the rest of the article is dedicated to sharing delicious alternatives to match your recipes.
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