Oyster Sauce Substitute

Choosing the best oyster sauce substitute is actually very simple if you follow my handy guide to oyster sauce alternatives! The unique flavor of oyster sauce is important in many Asian-inspired dishes, so when it's not available it's good to know your options!

A list of all the best options for replacing oyster sauce in any recipe!

Often when you need a substitute for a recipe it is simply because you don’t have the original ingredient on hand. Every once in a while, it may be because you don’t like a certain ingredient or are allergic to something.

Maybe you jumped to substitutes for oyster sauce because you weren’t too excited about something with the name oyster in it. Possibly you are allergic to shellfish, or you simply don’t like oysters.

Jump to:

• What Is Oyster Sauce?
• What is Oyster Sauce Used For?
• The Best Substitutes for Oyster Sauce
• 1. Hoisin Sauce
• 2. Worcestershire Sauce
• 3. Soy Sauce + Sugar
• 4. Fish Sauce
• 5. Teriyaki Sauce
• Vegan & Gluten-Free Substitutions for Oyster Sauce
• 6. Vegan Oyster Sauce
• 7. Tamari
• 8. Coconut Aminos
• 9. Black Bean Paste or Sauce
• 10. Mushroom Sauce
• 11. Homemade Oyster Sauce (NOT Vegan-Friendly)
• Choosing the Best Substitute
• 📖 Recipe Card
• 💬 Reviews

If it’s the name that is off-putting, let us take a quick look at what oyster sauce is first. You may find it is not quite as fishy as it sounds. However, you may also find that you still want an oyster-free option. Not a problem!

Whatever your desire or need for a substitute may be, there are plenty of yummy ones to choose from.

What Is Oyster Sauce?

Oyster sauce is a common condiment used in Asian cooking. It is especially common in Chinese food. Unless you have an allergy to shellfish, you have probably tasted oyster sauce before without even knowing it.

While oyster sauce is made from oysters, it also includes several other ingredients that help it develop a distinctly bold flavor that many describe as a mix between soy sauce and barbeque sauce. This sweet and salty combo even looks a bit like barbeque sauce.

It is a rich dark color and resembles the consistency of syrup, rather than a thin sauce like soy sauce. This caramel-like consistency and coloring is the result of the process of caramelizing oyster extract and sugar to make the sauce.

What is Oyster Sauce Used For?

In Chinese cooking, oyster sauced is used to elevate the flavors in many dishes. Oyster sauce is also commonly used in Vietnamese, Thai, and Cantonese cooking.

It is popularly used to enhance the flavors in meat and vegetable dishes, not too unlike how a BBQ sauce would be used in the United States. Stir-fry dishes are another great way to use oyster sauce as it enriches the flavors of all the ingredients, while also bringing a nice balance to the overall dish.

Oyster sauce is easy to use right out of the bottle. It can even be added right on top of a bowl of noodles and mixed in just before eating, no cooking required!

The Best Substitutes for Oyster Sauce

With the ease and tastiness of this condiment, many home cooks are starting to add it to their stock of other go-to condiments and seasonings. Therefore, now that you know more about it you may want to run out and stock up as well!

With its popularity on the rise though, you may find your local grocery store has run out. If that’s the case, then you can use one of these tasty substitutes until you can get your hands on the real thing.

If you prefer a substitute that is vegan and gluten-free friendly, jump down to these tasty options.

1. Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin sauce is known as an Asian barbeque sauce. It has a similar consistency to American barbeque sauce and is used in the same way for adding flavor to grilled meats. It is also used as a dipping sauce and for other popular Asian dishes, like stir-fries.

Hoisin sauce has a lot of similar qualities to oyster sauce; therefore, it is a great choice as a substitute. The only downside is if you don’t have oyster sauce in your kitchen then you may not have hoisin on hand. Hoisin is a vegan-friendly sauce, but it is made with soybeans – so avoid it if you have a soy allergy.

Use hoisin sauce in a 1:1 substitution for oyster sauce in any recipe.

Hoisin Sauce + Soy Sauce

If you feel like the hoisin sauce is too thick, you can balance out the consistency and the flavor with a bit of soy sauce.

Use half the amount of hoisin sauce + half the amount of soy sauce to equal the amount of oyster sauce you need to replace in your recipe.

2. Worcestershire Sauce

You may not think of Worcestershire sauce when you think of Asian cooking, but this condiment that is popular in England has a lot of similarities to both oyster sauce and fish sauce.

Worcestershire is made from fermenting anchovies, along with several other ingredients. This gives it a rich and complex flavor that is a wonderful addition to many dishes.

The consistency of Worcestershire is closer to soy sauce rather than oyster sauce; therefore, it works best in stir-fries or as a marinade.

Worcestershire sauce has a bold flavor, so it is best to start with less and add more as needed. Begin with ½ the amount the recipe calls for in oyster sauce. Then add more as needed.

Worcestershire Sauce + Soy Sauce

If you want a bit more of a traditional Asian flavor, try mixing Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce. You can use equal parts to replace 1 serving of oyster sauce.

3. Soy Sauce + Sugar

Soy sauce is one of those condiments that most people have in their pantry or fridge, which makes it an easy substitute for oyster sauce.

Like oyster sauce, soy sauce has a distinct flavor that is associated with Asian cuisine. Unlike oyster sauce, it is not as thick, and it does not offer the complex flavors that come from the caramelizing process of producing oyster sauce.

You can mimic the sweet and salty combo of oyster sauce by adding a bit of sugar to your soy sauce. This is a simple way to use ingredients you already have at home and still have a nice flavor to your dish.

Due to its thinner consistency, soy sauce works best for stir-fry dishes or marinades.

You can use soy sauce in an even 1:1 exchange for oyster sauce. Add a ½ teaspoon of sugar to 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. If you want it sweeter or less sweet, you can adjust that amount as desired.

Soy Sauce

If you prefer a salty dish and want to avoid the added sweetness of sugar, you can go ahead and use regular soy sauce. This will give you a similar Asian-inspired dish, but without the complex flavors. 

4. Fish Sauce

While it sounds like fish sauce and oyster sauce would taste the same, they are actually quite different.

Fish sauce is made from fermenting small fish, often krill or anchovies. This results in a salty sauce that has a distinctly fishy flavor. If you are looking for a less sweet substitute though, this is a good choice.

Even though it is not an exact flavor match for oyster sauce, fish sauce is a good choice for adding flavor to stir-fries or using it as a marinade. It is even thicker than oyster sauce, so it also works well as a dip. 

A little fish sauce goes a long way in the flavor department. Start with half the amount of soy sauce compared to the oyster sauce the recipe calls for. Once you taste it, add more if desired.

5. Teriyaki Sauce

Teriyaki sauce provides a similar consistency and sweetness that is great for stir-fry dishes. It can also be a great option for glazing meats or using as a marinade.

One thing to remember when using teriyaki sauce is that many versions have an additional flavor added, such as a honey teriyaki. Use a plain teriyaki sauce for the closest flavor substitute.

However, if you want to experiment with some new flavors in your dish, you can definitely get creative! Teriyaki sauce can be swapped in a 1:1 exchange for oyster sauce.

Vegan & Gluten-Free Substitutions for Oyster Sauce

Obviously, oyster sauce is not vegan-friendly. It is also not gluten-free.

Most brands add a wheat-based thickening agent to help achieve the desired consistency of oyster sauce. Therefore, if you or someone you are cooking for has an allergy to shellfish, gluten, or follows a vegan diet – then you will want to find a substitute from the following list.

6. Vegan Oyster Sauce

There are a lot of vegan oyster sauce options available. If you plan to do a lot of Asian-inspired cooking, finding a favorite vegan brand is a great direction.

Vegan oyster sauces can all be used in the same measurements and way that a recipe calls for regular oyster sauce.

If you have a favorite vegan sauce and run out, or you are just testing the waters with some new recipes, try some of these other vegan-friendly options.

7. Tamari

Tamari is a gluten-free soy sauce (yup, soy sauce has wheat in it); therefore, it works as a substitute the same way traditional soy sauce does. In some cases, it may actually work better than soy sauce.

Tamari is naturally thicker and has more complex flavors than soy sauce. This provides you with a flavor profile that is closer in complexity to oyster sauce.

Replace oyster sauce with tamari in a 1:1 ratio in any recipe.

8. Coconut Aminos

Coconut aminos do indeed come from coconuts! It is made from fermenting the sap from coconut trees and then adding salt. This makes them a naturally vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free product.

While coconut aminos have their own unique taste, they do provide a nice natural and complex flavor that works well as an oyster sauce substitute.

If you have not used coconut aminos before, give them a taste test first to make sure you enjoy the flavor. If you find you enjoy the taste of coconut aminos, then go ahead and use them in a 1:1 substitution for oyster sauce in any recipe.

9. Black Bean Paste or Sauce

Black bean paste or sauce are both easy to find at a local Asian grocery store. While these may not be the two most common ingredients to have in your pantry both can work well in place of oyster sauce.

Black bean paste and sauce typically have been mixed with garlic, vinegar, and other spices. So, it will provide a saltier flavor without the sweetness of oyster sauce.

You can always add a pinch of sugar if you want that sweet and savory combo. Easily swap black bean paste or sauce in a 1:1 ratio for oyster sauce.

10. Mushroom Sauce

Mushroom broths and sauces are great vegan options for Asian cooking because they offer that earthy, or umami, taste that is associated with Asian dishes. All while being completely vegan friendly and gluten-free!

While a basic mushroom broth could work for a soup, taking time to make a mushroom sauce offers you more options. It will be a bit thicker and offer a more enhanced flavor to your dish.

You can also look for a mushroom stir-fry sauce or paste at the grocery store.

A mushroom sauce can be made by simply sautéing your choice of mushrooms in vegetable broth and then adding a bit of cornstarch to thicken it into a paste. You can even use an immersion blender to create a smooth sauce.

Use this in a 1:1 ratio for soups, stews, sauces, or stir-fry dishes.

11. Homemade Oyster Sauce (NOT Vegan-Friendly)

If you are looking for a homemade option that is the real deal, then you can make your own oyster sauce at home!

What you will need:

• 1 can of Oysters
• Soy Sauce (or tamari if you want a gluten-free sauce)
• Salt
• Water

Directions:

1. Drain the oysters, but keep the liquid for later.
2. Chop the oysters and add them to a saucepan.
3. Add liquid + 1 tablespoon of water to the pan.
4. Sauté on medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring so it doesn’t burn.
5. After 10 minutes, remove from heat and add ¼ teaspoon of salt.
6. Let the mixture cool and then strain the liquid into a bowl.
7. Measure the liquid you have left and stir in 2 tablespoons of soy sauce for every ½ cup of liquid.
8. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and bring to a boil.
9. Lower the heat and let simmer for about 10 minutes, or until it begins to thicken.
10. Remove from the heat and taste.
11. If you’d like a sweeter sauce, add ½ to 1 teaspoon of sugar and stir in while still warm.
12. Use right away in any recipe that calls for oyster sauce or store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Choosing the Best Substitute

As you can see, the perfect substitute is dependent on what you have available and what you are looking to bring to your dish! There is no right or wrong answer here.

Choose the substitute that fits the flavor profile you are looking for most!

Cooking Substitutes	Herb & Spice Substitutes	Baking Substitutes
Apple Cider Vinegar	Bay Leaf	Tapioca Starch
Sesame Oil	Rosemary (Fresh & Dried)	Cornmeal
Marsala Wine	Turmeric	Potato Starch
Dijon Mustard	Celery Salt	Coconut Sugar
Horseradish	Tarragon	Buttermilk
Red Wine Vinegar	Cardamom	Brown Sugar
Masa Harina	Paprika	Arrowroot Powder
Cream Cheese	Chili Powder	Cornflour
Creme Fraiche	Thyme	Shortening
Worcestershire Sauce	Oregano	Vanilla Extract
Fish Sauce		Honey
Sour Cream		Eggs
Oyster Sauce		Almond Flour

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