The best Worcestershire sauce replacements

Worcestershire sauce is a crucial ingredient in recipes like homemade barbecue sauce, DIY marinades, meatloaf, and even classic Bloody Marys. But what do you do if you reach for the bottle in the back of your fridge only to find that it’s empty? Don’t worry! There are loads of Worcestershire replacements and substitutions using common pantry ingredients.

What is Worcestershire and how is it used?

Worcestershire sauce is a savory condiment made from fermented vinegar, anchovy, tamarind, and molasses. It has a deeply savory and tangy flavor and is a super easy easy way to add umami to your recipes.

It’s commonly used as a condiment on burgers and is one of the main ingredients in cocktail sauce and barbecue sauce.

It can also be used in marinades, gravies and au jus, and to add depth to stews. It’s also what gives my Greek yogurt Caesar salad dressing it’s rich flavor.

And, of course, no Bloody Mary is complete without a hefty splash!

Common Worcestershire sauce substitutes

If you’re in the middle of making a recipe and find you don’t have Worcestershire sauce, don’t worry!

There are tons of options that can work in a pinch. Some are made from super common ingredients like soy sauce or balsamic vinegar. Others, like tamarind paste, are a little more exotic.

Below are some of the best swaps and how to use them.

Worcestershire sauce replacements using soy sauce

Soy sauce and ketchup

Combining ketchup and soy sauce gives you a sweet and sour flavor that’s a pretty decent Worcestershire imitation. Simply mix equal parts soy sauce and ketchup and use as a 1-for-1 replacement.

This is a great option, since most people always have these ingredients on hand. This combo is best for recipes like burgers, stews and meatloaf.

Soy sauce and brown sugar

No ketchup either? Soy sauce has the salty tang of Worcestershire while brown sugar adds sweetness and helps it caramelize. Use half the amount of soy sauce the recipe calls for and add a pinch of brown sugar. This combination is good for meats, including chicken, and pasta.

Soy sauce, hoisin sauce and apple cider vinegar

Mix equal parts soy sauce and hoisin sauce with a splash of apple cider vinegar for an umami flavor that’s great for stir-fries, marinades and dips.

“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. It works great in gravies, soups, sauces or anything where the Worcestershire is an underlying flavor component.”
— Renee N Gardner, Renee Nicole’s Kitchen

Worcestershire sauce alternatives using fish sauce

Fish sauce

Fish sauce 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.

Fish sauce, lemon juice and juice

Mix equal parts fish sauce, lemon juice and cranberry or apple juice is a salty, sweet, savory and tangy replacement for Worcestershire.

Fish sauce, soy sauce and brown sugar

Try equal parts fish sauce and soy sauce and a big pinch of brown sugar. This only works in dishes that will be cooked, since you’ll want the sugar to fully dissolve. Use this as a 1-for-1 substitute for Worcestershire sauce.

More Worcestershire replacements

Red wine vinegar and tamarind paste

If you happen to have tamarind paste in your kitchen, combine it in equal parts with red wine vinegar for a sweet and tangy Worcestershire sauce swap. Use half of what the recipe calls for and note that it will be on the more sour side. You can balance this with a pinch of brown sugar if you desire.

This combination works well in thinner applications, like marinades, dressings and sauces (like my guava bbq sauce or homemade katsu sauce).

Oyster sauce

Oyster sauce has an umami flavor and is made from corn starch, soy sauce and caramelized oyster juice. It can be used as a 1-for-1 replacement for Worcestershire sauce.

Balsamic vinegar

Balsamic vinegar is known for its sweet and tangy flavor and works well as a Worcestershire sauce in salad dressings, barbecue sauce and marinades.

Coconut aminos

Coconut aminos are made from fermented coconut sap and have a flavor that’s more similar to a less salty soy sauce, but it can also be used in place of Worcestershire in a pinch. This option is best for sauces, marinades, or bloody marys. These don’t have quite as rich a flavor, but one benefit is that they’re naturally vegan and gluten free which opens up some more options if that’s a consideration for you or whoever you’re cooking for.

“I’ve used a mix of soy sauce, vinegar and a pinch of sugar as a Worcestershire sauce substitute, especially for steak marinades. I didn’t have any Worcestershire on hand, so I improvised with those pantry staples, and it turned out great! While the flavor wasn’t as deep or tangy, it still added a nice savory richness, and my family didn’t even notice the difference.”
— Kristin King, Dizzy Busy and Hungry