Worcestershire Sauce Substitute

Worcestershire sauce is a must-have in every kitchen. It is a condiment characterized by its distinct pungent smell. It is produced by fermenting malt vinegar and other ingredients like garlic, anchovies, lime, onions, molasses, soy sauce, palm sugar, tamarind, and some seasoning. The infusion is fermented for several months before it will be transferred in a Worcestershire sauce bottle.

Worcestershire sauce is a bit pricey. If you are on a tight budget, run out of Worcestershire sauce, or allergic to one of its ingredients, then you need to know the possible substitutes. You need to note that the taste and aroma of Worcestershire sauce are distinct and no complete substitute can match that. Mixing a few ingredients though can help you come up close to the original taste and aroma. (1, 2, 3, and 4)

Does Worcestershire sauce have soy sauce in it?

The original maker of Worcestershire sauce never admitted that there is a soy sauce in their product. As years passed by, many brands of Worcestershire sauce were introduced to the market and they are vocal with their ingredients, which include soy sauce. So, does Worcestershire sauce have soy sauce? Yes and no. It depends on the manufacturer. (2, 3, and 4)

What can you substitute for Worcestershire sauce?

Wine vinegar – If you are going to prepare a barbecue mixture and you run out of Worcestershire sauce, do not panic. I bet you have a wine vinegar. Use that as a substitute for Worcestershire sauce in your barbecue mixture. It will make your mixture sweet and at the same time acidic. The taste is just a bit lighter than Worcestershire sauce. How much wine vinegar should you add in the mixture? It depends on your taste preference.
Soy sauce – If you are preparing a marinade and you don’t have Worcestershire sauce, know that you can always use soy sauce as a substitute. It is a perfect substitute in making a great steak marinade. The taste is a bit different but in a good way. As a matter of fact, some people prefer to use soy sauce than Worcestershire sauce in their steak.
Garlic powder – If you are making a sauce for a dip recipe and you run out of Worcestershire sauce, don’t worry as you can always use garlic powder as a substitute. However, you need more than just a garlic powder. You also need a bit of soy sauce, lime juice, molasses, sugar, and hot sauce.
Sugar and hot sauce mixture – What can I substitute for Worcestershire sauce? A mixture of sugar and hot sauce make a perfect substitute for Worcestershire sauce. Make sure that the sugar is completely dissolved.
Tamarind paste -What is a substitute for Worcestershire sauce? The answer is tamarind paste. In fact, tamarind paste is not just a substitute for Worcestershire sauce but many sauces like soy sauce. Mix a teaspoon of tamarind paste, white vinegar, soy sauce, hot pepper sauce, and ground cloves. You will be surprised by the outcome. It even tastes better than Worcestershire sauce.
Steak sauce – You can use steak sauce in the absence of Worcestershire sauce, especially when making stew, soup, or marinade.
Barbecue sauce – Don’t you know that barbecue sauce is a perfect substitute for Worcestershire sauce in meatloaf? Just make sure you use top of the line barbecue sauce to come up with a great tasting meatloaf. (5, 6, 7, and 8)

Some ingredients in Worcestershire sauce are not recommended for people following a specific diet such as paleo and vegan. So, you need to think of a substitute. Fortunately, there are substitutes. They are the following:

Worcestershire substitute for Vegan

A perfect Worcestershire sauce substitute for vegan include a mixture of different ingredients such as apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, mustard powder, onion powder, minced ginger, a pinch of cinnamon, a dash of pepper, and water. Adjust the amount depending on your taste preference. (8, 9, and 10)