Oyster Sauce Substitute

I love making my favorite Asian take-out recipes at home. Everyone gets their favorite dishes, and we can save so much money. I keep a full pantry of Asian staples such as sesame oil, soy sauce, fish sauce, and oyster sauce, but I occasionally find myself in the middle of a recipe with an empty sauce bottle in my hand, and I need to make a substitute for oyster sauce quickly. 

I love cooking with oyster sauce! It adds a delicious savory flavor to any dish. One of my favorite recipes is a stir-fry with vegetables and chicken. After adding oyster sauce, I let everything simmer for a few minutes until the vegetables are tender and the sauce has thickened. Serve everything over rice for a satisfying and flavorful meal that only takes minutes to prepare.

If you cannot find oyster sauce at the grocery store, you’ve run out, or you need a diet-friendly alternative, don’t fret because you can use a sauce substitute for your stir-fry or homemade Asian dish.

Just like my Worcestershire Sauce Substitutes, Soy Sauce Substitute hacks, and this list of Mayonnaise Substitutes, I’ve tried and tested many different options in order to share what I consider to be the 12 best oyster sauce substitutes for rich umami flavor.

What Is Oyster Sauce?

Oyster sauce is a popular condiment used in many Asian cuisines, particularly recipes of Chinese origin. The sauce is thick and dark brown. Oyster sauce has a savory and slightly sweet flavor that’s not overly fishy. It’s used to enhance the taste of dishes.

Oyster sauce is made with oysters, soy sauce, and a variety of seasonings. Oyster sauce is not vegan and contains both soy and gluten, so you may simply need a substitute due to dietary concerns. Substitutes may not exactly match the original flavor of the oyster sauce, but they will work in a pinch.

What Can I Substitute For Oyster Sauce?

If you don’t have oyster sauce on hand or prefer to use something that’s vegan and made without soy or gluten, there are several oyster sauce substitutes you can use in your cooking.

While these substitutes for oyster sauce can mimic some of the same flavors, they may not replicate the full flavor profile but can still contribute to a delicious dish.

Always test a substitute for oyster sauce in a small portion of your recipe before using it in larger quantities.

12 Substitutes for Oyster Sauce

1. Vegetarian Oyster Sauce

Vegetarian Oyster Sauce is a plant-based alternative made with mushrooms, soy sauce, and other seasonings. It mimics the flavor of oyster sauce and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans but still contains soy and gluten. 

2. Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is a staple in Asian cuisine and can be used as a substitute for oyster sauce, although it lacks the sweetness and depth of oyster sauce. Add sugar or a sweetener to your recipe to balance the flavors, or try using sweet soy sauce.

3. Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin sauce is made from fermented soybeans, garlic, vinegar, and spices. It’s thick and sweet and has a slightly different flavor profile, but it works well as a replacement for dishes requiring a sweet and tangy element.

3. Fish Sauce 

Fish sauce is much more pungent and salty than oyster sauce. It is made from fermented fish and adds depth of flavor, but it is strong and not as sweet. Fish sauce may not be suitable for all recipes.

5. Mushroom Sauce 

Mushroom sauce is a great option if you’re looking for a vegetarian or vegan substitute. It is made from a mushroom broth, soy sauce, and other seasonings, so it has a similar flavor to oyster sauce. Mushroom sauce can provide a similar earthy and savory flavor.

6. Worcestershire Sauce 

Worcestershire sauce is a fermented sauce made from vinegar, molasses, anchovies, and various spices. It has a complex flavor profile and can be used as a substitute in some recipes that call for oyster sauce, although it still contains fish, so it’s not suitable for vegans. 

7. Tamari Sauce 

Tamari is a gluten-free soy sauce. The flavor is richer and slightly milder than regular soy sauce. It can be used as a substitute for oyster sauce, but you may need to add some sweetness, such as brown sugar or honey, to balance the flavors.

8. Miso Paste

Miso is made from fermented soybeans, so it has a complex, salty, and slightly sweet flavor that can add depth to your dishes. A light-colored or white miso paste is the best option for similar flavor profiles when substituting for oyster sauce. 

9. Black Bean Sauce

Black bean sauce, also known as black bean paste or black bean garlic sauce, is made from fermented black soybeans and garlic. The sauce has a rich, savory, slightly salty flavor and works well in stir-fries and other dishes.

10. Vegemite 

Popular in Australia, Vegemite is a brewers yeast extract spread that can provide a savory and umami flavor similar to oyster sauce. Use it sparingly and adjust the seasoning accordingly, as it has a strong taste.

11. Coconut Aminos 

Coconut aminos is a gluten free and soy free alternative made from the sap of coconut blossoms. Like soy sauce, it is savory and slightly sweet but has a milder flavor. 

12. Teriyaki Sauce 

Teriyaki sauce is sweet and savory but has a distinct flavor. Use it only in recipes that benefit from a sweet, tangy flavor, or it can overwhelm the dish.  

13. Barbecue Sauce

Depending on your recipe, barbecue sauce can be used as a substitute for oyster sauce. It’s sweet, smoky, and tangy and works well in dishes with grilled or roasted ingredients. Opt for a bbq sauce that is more on the sweeter side rather than those that are spicy. 

14. Nothing

Sometimes, the best substitute is not to substitute anything. Depending on the dish or how the oyster sauce is used, simply omitting it altogether may be the best option. 

FAQs

Serving Suggestions

• Easy Instant Pot Ramen.
• Instant Pot Teriyaki Salmon.
• Egg Rolls.

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Thank you for reading my oyster sauce substitute recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.