Go Back
–+ servings
7 Best Substitutes for Shrimp Paste

7 Best Substitutes for Shrimp Paste

No ratings yet
This guide covers seven effective shrimp paste substitutes for different cooking needs. Choose based on texture and salt level; use ratios and adjustments to match the original flavor and consistency.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 16 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Cooking
Cuisine: Southeast Asian-Inspired
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon Fish Sauce Use 1:1 ratio; thinner and saltier, start with less salt and adjust
  • 1 tablespoon Anchovy Paste Use 1:1 ratio; stronger fish flavor, reduce added salt by half
  • 1 tablespoon Soybean Paste Use 1:1 ratio; less briny, more soy flavor; add soy sauce if flat
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Shrimp Powder Use 1:1 ratio; mix with 1 teaspoon neutral oil or water for paste consistency
  • Anchovy Blend Mix equal parts fish sauce and anchovy paste; use 1:1 ratio; saltier than shrimp paste, reduce salt
  • Tamarind Soy Mix Mix 1 tablespoon tamarind paste and 1 teaspoon soy sauce; use full mix per 1 tablespoon shrimp paste
  • Salted Shrimp Oil Mix equal parts salted shrimp and neutral oil; use 1:1 ratio; chunky texture

Method
 

  1. Choose the substitute based on your dish's texture and salt level needs.
  2. For fish sauce, use 1 tablespoon per 1 tablespoon shrimp paste; start with less salt to adjust for saltiness.
  3. Use anchovy paste 1:1 for a thicker paste substitute; reduce additional salt by half to balance flavor.
  4. For soybean paste, use 1 tablespoon per 1 tablespoon shrimp paste; add a splash of soy sauce if the flavor is flat.
  5. Mix dried shrimp powder with 1 teaspoon neutral oil or water to form a loose slurry for paste texture; use 1:1 ratio.
  6. Mix equal parts fish sauce and anchovy paste for anchovy blend; use 1 tablespoon of this mix per 1 tablespoon shrimp paste and reduce added salt.
  7. Combine 1 tablespoon tamarind paste with 1 teaspoon soy sauce for tamarind soy mix; use full mix per 1 tablespoon shrimp paste; suitable for dishes with acid.
  8. Mix salted shrimp with neutral oil in equal parts for salted shrimp oil; use this mix 1:1 for shrimp paste; note chunky texture in dishes.
  9. Taste and adjust salt and consistency as needed after adding the substitute to your dish.

Notes

Mix dried shrimp powder with oil slowly to avoid gritty texture and watery consistency in your dish.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!