12 Best Oyster Sauce Substitutes for Cooking

Finding the perfect oyster sauce substitute can be a culinary game-changer, especially when you're in the middle of a recipe and realize you're all out. Whether you don’t have any in the pantry, can’t find it in the store or are looking for a plant-based version, you can use an array of ingredients as a substitute for oyster sauce. All you need to know is what these ingredients are and what ratios you should substitute them in.  

Providing this information and more, this guide will help you to answer the question: “What can I substitute for oyster sauce?”, allowing you to create all of your favorite recipes even when you don’t have oyster sauce on hand. Best of all, you’ll probably have most of these alternatives in your kitchen already. 

 Jump to Section

• What Is Oyster Sauce?
• What Is the Purpose of Oyster Sauce in Cooking?
• The 12 Best Substitutes for Oyster Sauce

What Is Oyster Sauce?

Oyster sauce is a savory condiment commonly used in Asian cuisine. It's known for its rich, umami flavor and slightly sweet undertones. Oyster sauce is made by simmering oysters in water until the liquid reduces and thickens, creating a concentrated, flavorful base. This base is then combined with salt, sugar and sometimes soy sauce and cornstarch to achieve the desired consistency and taste. 

What Is the Purpose of Oyster Sauce in Cooking?

This ingredient is used to enhance flavors, bringing out a more hearty and umami flavor in a range of dishes, from meat and seafood recipes to those with vegetables as the primary ingredient. The condiment not only brings a richness and more intense flavor to dishes but also complements other components of the dish, bringing out all the flavors of the star ingredients. 

While commonly used in Asian dishes like stir-fries and chow mein, you can add oyster sauce to a variety of dishes, such as in meat stews, to enhance flavor. You could even take a few cooking classes near you or online cooking classes to learn more about the wide array of dishes oyster sauce can be added to for a delicious boost of umami flavor. 

As oyster sauce contains shellfish, it isn’t suitable for those who are vegetarian, vegan or have shellfish allergies. However, you don’t have to miss out on the benefit that oyster sauce brings to cooking as numerous oyster sauce substitutes use exclusively plant-based ingredients, allowing everyone to enjoy classic recipes. 

The 12 Best Substitutes for Oyster Sauce

1. Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is a good oyster sauce substitute due to its similar umami and salty flavor profile. While it lacks the slight sweetness and thickness of oyster sauce, soy sauce still adds a rich, savory depth to dishes. It's best used in stir-fries, marinades and sauces where the primary goal is to infuse the dish with a robust, umami flavor.

To make the substitution, simply use a slightly smaller amount of soy sauce to replace oyster sauce, as soy sauce is typically saltier. You can also enhance the soy sauce with a bit of sugar or honey to mimic the sweetness of oyster sauce.

2. Tamari

For a vegan oyster sauce substitute, tamari serves up a rich umami flavor. Made from fermented soybeans, tamari is an excellent match for the complex flavors of oyster sauce. It is especially suitable for those who are gluten-intolerant, as tamari is often gluten-free.

Tamari works best in stir-fries, marinades and dipping sauces, where it can seamlessly replace oyster sauce to enhance the dish's flavor. To make the substitution, use tamari in a 1:1 ratio with oyster sauce. This simple oyster sauce substitute allows you to enjoy the same flavorful results while catering to dietary preferences and restrictions.

3. Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin sauce is another ideal oyster sauce substitute because it shares a similar thick consistency and complex flavor profile. Made from fermented soybeans, garlic, vinegar and sugar, hoisin sauce offers a sweet and tangy taste, which can effectively replicate the rich depth of oyster sauce. This makes it an excellent alternative in dishes where the robust, savory notes of oyster sauce are desired.

As an oyster sauce substitute, use a 1:1 ratio. However, remember that hoisin sauce is sweeter than oyster sauce, so you may want to add less hoisin or otherwise adjust the sweetness of your dish when using this ingredient as a substitute. 

4. Dark Brown Sugar

Darker types of sugar make for an excellent oyster sauce substitute, offering a rich, molasses-infused sweetness. This alternative is particularly effective in dishes where a hint of sweetness is called for. One thing to note is brown sugar works best as an oyster sauce substitute when mixed with other, more umami ingredients, such as soy sauce. 

To make the substitution and achieve a similar consistency and flavor to oyster sauce, combine one tablespoon of dark brown sugar with two tablespoons of soy sauce, adjusting to taste. 

5. Teriyaki Sauce

Teriyaki sauce is another substitute for oyster sauce that offers a similar balance of sweet and savory flavors. Made from a blend of soy sauce, sugar, sake or mirin and sometimes ginger and garlic, teriyaki sauce brings a complex flavor profile that can stand in as a substitute to oyster sauce in many recipes. Teriyaki sauce is best used directly 1:1 as an oyster sauce substitute in stir-fries, marinades and glazes where a touch of sweetness can complement the other ingredients. 

6. Mushroom Broth

Mushroom broth is an excellent oyster sauce substitute due to its deep, earthy umami flavor, which closely mimics the savory richness of oyster sauce. Additionally, if you’re looking for a vegan or vegetarian substitute for oyster sauce, mushroom broth is one of the best options.

The naturally occurring glutamates in mushrooms provide a similar taste profile, making mushroom broth a versatile ingredient in Asian cuisine. For a thicker consistency similar to oyster sauce, you can reduce the broth by simmering it until it reaches the desired thickness or add a small amount of cornstarch slurry. 

7. Vegetarian Oyster Sauce

Vegetarian oyster sauce serves as an ideal oyster sauce substitute because it replicates the rich, umami flavor of traditional oyster sauce without using any animal products. Made primarily from mushrooms, particularly shiitake and oyster mushrooms, this vegetarian substitute to oyster sauce captures the depth and savoriness that oyster sauce brings to dishes. It's ideal for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet, as well as individuals with shellfish allergies, allowing for enjoyment of the same flavorful recipes.

8. Fish Sauce

Fish sauce serves as a suitable oyster sauce substitute because it shares a similarly intense umami flavor and salty profile obtained from fermented fish. Fish sauce is best utilized in stir-fries, marinades, dipping sauces and soups where its savory notes complement ingredients like vegetables, meats and seafood. 

Blending fish sauce with a bit of soy sauce and a touch of sugar can approximate the flavor balance of oyster sauce, ensuring your dish retains its intended umami richness despite the substitution.

9. Worcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire sauce’s complex flavor profile includes a mix of savory, tangy and slightly sweet notes, reminiscent of oyster sauce's umami richness. This alternative to oyster sauce can be used in about a 1:1 ratio, but adding gradually to taste is recommended due to the tanginess of Worcester sauce. Do note that many types of Worcestershire sauce include anchovies, so check the ingredients before using it as a vegetarian or vegan oyster sauce substitute or if you have fish allergies. 

10. Anchovies

Anchovies serve as a great oyster sauce substitute due to their similar fishy flavor profile and salty complexity. Anchovies are best used to impart a savory depth to dishes where oyster sauce is a key component, such as in stir-fried vegetables, fried rice or noodle dishes. 

To make the substitution, simply mash, blend or finely chop anchovies and mix them with soy sauce or a combination of soy sauce and a touch of sugar to replicate the sweetness of oyster sauce. 

11. Black Bean Paste

Made from fermented black soybeans, this oyster sauce substitute offers a savory depth that works well in stir-fries, marinades and sauces. To substitute oyster sauce with black bean paste, use approximately the same amount called for in the recipe, adjusting to taste as needed.

Incorporate it into your dish during cooking, allowing the flavors to meld together for a deliciously savory result. When cooking with this oyster sauce substitute, you may want to add a little sugar or other natural sweetener like agave to mimic the touch of sweetness found in oyster sauce. 

12. Miso Paste

Miso paste serves as an excellent oyster sauce substitute primarily due to its rich umami flavor and versatility in various cuisines. Made from fermented soybeans, miso paste closely mimics the savory profile of oyster sauce. 

Miso paste can be diluted with water or combined with other ingredients like soy sauce and sugar to adjust the flavor and consistency to match that of oyster sauce. This oyster sauce substitute not only caters to vegetarians, vegans and those with shellfish allergies but also introduces a unique twist to traditional dishes with its fermented complexity.

If you’ve been looking to answer the question: “What is a substitute for oyster sauce?”, this article should have given you many alternatives to the seafood-based condiment. From soy sauce and hoisin sauce to miso paste and mushroom broth, each oyster sauce substitute brings its own unique character to recipes traditionally calling for oyster sauce. 

By incorporating an oyster sauce substitute into your cooking repertoire, you not only expand your culinary skills but also ensure that everyone at the table can enjoy flavorful meals, regardless of dietary restrictions.  

For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.