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9 Best Substitutes for Soy Sauce in Marinades & Stir-Fries

9 Best Substitutes for Soy Sauce

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When you're out of soy sauce, several substitutes can provide salty, umami depth with varying flavor profiles. Choose a substitute based on your dish’s needs and adjust amounts to taste.
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Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Substitution Guide
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon Tamari Use 1:1 as a direct swap; richer and less salty than soy sauce; gluten-free options available.
  • 1 tablespoon Coconut Aminos Use 1:1 ratio; sweeter and milder with mild umami; slightly thicker texture than soy sauce.
  • 1 tablespoon Liquid Aminos Use 1:1 ratio; milder and less salty than soy sauce; clean salty flavor without fermented funk.
  • 0.5 tablespoon Maggi Sauce Use half the amount of soy sauce; stronger and more savory; concentrated flavor, thinner consistency.
  • 0.5 tablespoon Fish Sauce Use half the amount of soy sauce; pungent, fishy umami; strong flavor best for Southeast Asian dishes.
  • 1 tablespoon Miso Paste Mix 1 tablespoon miso paste with 2 tablespoons water before use; earthy and rich umami.
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce Use 1:1 ratio; tangy, sweet, thinner texture; taste and adjust to balance tangy notes.
  • 1 tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar Mix 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar with ¼ teaspoon salt; sweet and acidic but lacks umami.
  • 1 tablespoon Homemade Mix (beef broth, molasses, vinegar) Use 1:1 ratio; savory and beefy depth; slightly thicker texture leaning toward Western umami.

Method
 

  1. Choose your substitute based on the dish's flavor needs and dietary requirements.
  2. For miso paste, mix with water to thin before using as a soy sauce replacement.
  3. Apply the substitution ratio: 1:1 for tamari, coconut aminos, liquid aminos, Worcestershire, and homemade mix.
  4. Use half the amount of maggi sauce or fish sauce compared to soy sauce, as they are more concentrated.
  5. Add balsamic vinegar with salt as a finishing drizzle for acidity and sweetness, not for deep umami.
  6. Adjust seasoning by tasting after adding substitute, especially with sweeter or stronger-flavored swaps.
  7. Use tamari for the closest match in umami depth and salinity in any recipe calling for soy sauce.

Notes

Thin miso paste well before adding to avoid gritty or too thick texture in your dish.

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