16 Best Worcestershire Sauce Substitutes for Cooking
If you are vegan but want to make a recipe that calls for Worcestershire sauce, there are many acceptable Worcestershire sauce substitutes. Worcestershire sauce is a common ingredient that many of us grew up with at home, but it’s made with anchovies so it isn’t vegan. This funky sauce is commonly used as a finisher for steak but also has uses in marinades, sauces and even cocktails. Because it provides a very distinctive flavor, finding Worcestershire sauce substitutes may seem daunting.
What is Worcestershire sauce? Where did it come from? The signature tangy yet meaty flavor of Worcestershire sauce is very unique. The product originated in England in the 1900s. Even though the ingredient list is on every bottle, the actual recipe remains a secret. If you don’t have a bottle on hand or if substituting Worcestershire sauce with vegan alternatives is more suited to your palate, you might be surprised to learn that there are many ways to swap with common pantry ingredients.
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What Is Worcestershire Sauce Used for in Cooking?
Worcestershire sauce is used primarily as a finisher for meat dishes, but it can also be used in homemade marinades and barbecue sauces. It’s a key ingredient in this recipe for caramelized onion dip. Believe it or not, some Caesar salad dressing recipes call for Worcestershire sauce. You’ll also find that your favorite bloody Mary gets some of its tangy punch from Worcestershire sauce.
Never used Worcestershire sauce before? It’s more versatile than you might think. Consider taking online cooking classes that feature steak preparation as the instructor will undoubtedly be able to show you how to use this ingredient to transform your meal.
Alternatively, look for cooking classes near you that feature Thai, South Asian or Caribbean cuisine. Worcestershire sauce is used differently in these cultures depending on the dish, either for the umami depth it provides or for the fruity sweetness. This okonomiyaki sauce is a good example of how Worcestershire sauce is used to make a Japanese sauce.
The actual recipe for Worcestershire sauce is a closely guarded secret, but it’s made from barrel-aged fermented anchovies, vinegar and tamarind. Because of the anchovy component, Worcestershire sauce is not vegan. If you need a substitution for Worcestershire sauce, you’re in luck. Several good options work as Worcestershire sauce substitutes; chances are you already have many in your pantry.
16 Best Substitutes for Worcestershire Sauce
There are many options for Worcestershire sauce substitutes if you don’t have any on hand. When considering Worcestershire sauce alternatives, you’ll want to consider three things — flavor, texture and color. And if you are vegan, you’ll want to find Worcestershire sauce substitutes that don’t contain animal ingredients.
1. Pickapeppa Sauce
The best Worcestershire sauce substitute available is Pickapeppa sauce. This is the Jamaican equivalent of the English product and it delivers the distinctive texture, color, tanginess and kick you get from Worcestershire sauce. This is such a good option as a Worcestershire sauce substitute that you’ll probably make a permanent switch. What is the bonus of using Pickapeppa sauce as a Worcestershire sauce substitute? It’s vegan.
Pickapeppa sauce is usually found near Worcestershire on the grocery shelf. Try pouring it over a package of softened cream cheese for a delicious dip or using it to make your next bloody Mary. Pickapeppa is an ideal Worcestershire sauce substitute in this recipe for instant pot salmon.
2. Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is one of the best Worcestershire sauce substitutes and something that most of us already have on hand. Soy sauce mimics both the salty tang of Worcestershire sauce while also adding color. As a Worcestershire sauce alternative, it's worth noting that soy sauce is more watery. Start with a 1:1 ratio for the swap.
Soy sauce also lacks spiciness, so you may want to consider adding crushed red pepper or a pinch of cayenne to it for a more authentic Worcestershire sauce substitute. Tamari is almost the same thing as soy sauce, making it another good option.
3. Steak or Brown Sauce
An obvious choice for a Worcestershire sauce substitute is another steak sauce, sometimes known as a brown sauce (A1 is brown sauce). It has a similar consistency to Worcestershire sauce, but it doesn’t carry the name. A brown sauce may not be quite as tangy as a substitution for Worcestershire sauce, but it will bring color and usually the same texture. Use a 1:1 ratio as a Worcestershire sauce alternative.
4. Fish Sauce
Fish sauce is an ingredient that you’ll have on hand if you make Asian dishes at home. It makes a good Worcestershire sauce substitute because it is also made from fermented fish. The taste of fish sauce can be quite pronounced if eaten raw, so this substitution for Worcestershire sauce is best used in recipes that will get cooked. A 1:1 ratio is an appropriate swap.
5. Oyster Sauce
Similar to fish sauce, oyster sauce is a solid choice if you are substituting it for Worcestershire sauce. It’s also less pungent than fish sauce, so it’s a better choice for recipes that don’t involve cooking. Stick to a 1:1 ratio.
6. Balsamic Vinegar
One of the key elements that Worcestershire sauce brings to a dish is the tanginess that comes from its vinegar component. That means a dark vinegar like balsamic will work as a Worcestershire sauce substitute. The texture is not as thick, so it’s a good idea to add a little ketchup, oyster sauce or tamarind paste when substituting for Worcestershire sauce.
7. Barbecue Sauce
Barbecue sauce shares many of the same characteristics as Worcestershire, so it’s a great choice as a Worcestershire sauce substitute. Barbecue sauces typically contain either ketchup or vinegar (or both), plus either brown sugar or molasses. The texture mimics Worcestershire sauce as well, so stick to a 1:1 ratio when making the substitution.
8. Soy Sauce and Ketchup
While soy sauce alone does a decent job as a Worcestershire sauce substitute, it is even better when combined with ketchup. The mixture delivers both the color and texture you want for a Worcestershire sauce substitute. Use one part soy sauce to one part ketchup and then a 1:1 substitution for the amount of Worcestershire sauce.
9. Soy Sauce, Apple Cider Vinegar and Red Pepper Flakes
A 1:1 mixture of soy sauce and apple cider vinegar plus spicy red pepper flakes is another worthy option as a Worcestershire sauce substitute, especially for marinades where the vinegar factor is key and thicker texture is less important.
10. Hoisin Sauce
Hoisin sauce is both zesty and thick, plus it has a dark brown color. For this reason, hoisin sauce works well if you’re substituting for Worcestershire sauce. A 1:1 ratio works well. Hoisin sauce has a pleasing flavor and also makes a good oyster sauce substitute.
11. Hoisin Sauce and Apple Cider Vinegar
If you’re a perfectionist, this may be the ideal Worcestershire sauce substitute. Hoisin sauce by itself is a good option, but adding a little extra vinegar really elevates it as a substitution for Worcestershire sauce.
12. Miso Paste and Red Wine Vinegar
Are you starting to see a pattern here? The key to substituting Worcestershire sauce is to get texture, color and a tangy punch. Miso paste (red or white) mixed with a little red wine vinegar delivers all three. Use a 1:1 ratio of this mixture as a replacement for Worcestershire sauce.
13. Anchovy Paste and Ketchup
Since Worcestershire sauce contains fermented anchovies, anchovy paste is a reasonable choice as a Worcestershire sauce substitute. It’s got a salty kick and melts easily into cooked dishes. Adding a teaspoon of ketchup helps to add color and a vinegary tang. Use a 1:1 ratio of paste and ketchup as your Worcestershire sauce substitute.
14. Tamarind Paste and Red Wine Vinegar
If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce at home, you probably don’t have tamarind paste either as it's not a commonly used ingredient. Tamarind paste is made from fermented tamarind fruit and is used in Thai cooking. It is a key ingredient in many pad Thai recipes.
If you don’t use Worcestershire sauce very often, consider buying tamarind paste instead and combining it 1:1 with red wine vinegar as a Worcestershire sauce substitute. Then you’ll have an excuse to try some Thai recipes at home too.
15. Soy Sauce, Molasses and Red Pepper Flakes
This combination is another viable Worcestershire sauce substitute that covers all the key bases. Combine the soy sauce and molasses 1:1 and a pinch of red pepper flakes as your Worcestershire sauce substitute.
16. Fish Sauce, Molasses and Lime Juice
In this Worcestershire sauce substitute, the molasses helps to mellow the pungent fish sauce and the lime juice acts as the tangy acid. Use a 1:1:1 ratio to create a Worcestershire sauce alternative.
Knowing how to pick the best Worcestershire sauce substitute will ensure you maintain the integrity of your recipe. Because Worcestershire sauce delivers texture, color and flavor, it’s important to find a good Worcestershire sauce substitute that considers all three. The good news is that you can make a very acceptable Worcestershire sauce substitute with ingredients you already have in your pantry. Even if you're vegan, there's a substitute for you that can recreate your favorite flavors without compromising your dietary choices.
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