Are you looking for an oyster sauce substitute for cooking? We will explain some substitutes for oyster sauce, whether you have allergies to shellfish, run out of stock, or are a vegetarian.
Oyster sauce is one of the most important ingredients in Chinese food. It is a must-have in your pantry. It is used for braising, marinating, and stir-fry sauce.
What is Oyster Sauce?
Oyster sauce (蠔油 hao you) is made of oysters, soy sauce, sugar, salt, and many other ingredients. It has a thick texture and is dark brown in color. The oyster sauce gives an umami flavor to Chinese cuisine.
Many Asian/Chinese recipes use oyster sauce. It is a staple ingredient in many Chinese dishes. Not only does it add some color and gloss to the dish, but it also enhances the overall flavor.
Oyster sauce is made by slow-cooking the oysters until the liquid is reduced to a minimum.
The Most Popular Oyster Sauce Brand: Lee Kum Kee
The first brand to sell oyster sauce is Lee Kum Kee. It began with an accidental incident in 1888. The shop owner, Lee Kum Sheung, had left a pot of oyster soup on a simmer and cooked it for too long, making it thick and brown. He began selling the sauce in bottles, which has since become a beloved ingredient in Chinese cooking. The new sauce was branded Lee Kum Kee and became popular worldwide.
Lee Kum Kee comes in two versions: premium and regular. The difference between these two is the oyster content. The premium version has a much higher content of oysters in it. I usually choose the premium version.
Why Substitute Oyster Sauce?
There could be several reasons people can’t use oyster sauce. The common reasons are as follows:
Run out of stock: Sometimes, we are too busy to check on the pantry stock, and there is barely enough oyster sauce when we want to cook.
Vegan or vegetarian: If you are a vegetarian or a vegan, you can’t eat any animal products, including oysters. There is a vegetarian oyster sauce to replace that.
Allergies: If you have allergies to seafood or shellfish, you can’t eat oyster sauce. You will need to find a replacement.
Whatever your reasons are, there are substitutes that you can use.
Oyster Sauce Substitutes
You can choose from a few substitutes. Adjust according to the recipes and your preferences. Please note that each option below varies in taste and texture, so you need to taste it first to judge the amount you can use.
1. Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is the most common substitute for oyster sauce. It is a cooking ingredient made from fermented soybeans, wheat, and salt. It is a staple in Japan, China, and many Asian countries.
To make it taste more like oyster sauce, add a little bit of palm sugar or regular sugar. To make it thicker, add cornstarch and bring it to a simmer before using.
2. Black Bean Sauce
Black bean sauce is made of fermented black beans, garlic, soy sauce, and sugar. It has a salty taste. Its texture and color are similar to oyster sauce, and it doesn’t contain any animal products.
It gives a dark color to the dish and is suitable for stir-fry dishes.
3. Mushroom Sauce
I always find mushroom sauce in my vegetarian aunt’s pantry. She uses it as a substitute for oyster sauce when cooking Chinese dishes. She especially likes to use mushroom sauce because it has a similar texture and taste to oyster sauce.
4. Vegetarian Oyster Sauce
Lee Kum Kee has also produced vegetarian oyster sauce for those who can’t eat animal products. It has the same delicious taste as the classic oyster sauce.
Like the classic version, the vegetarian version is perfect for braising or stir-frying any vegetarian dish and is also good for dipping.
5. Hoisin Sauce
Hoisin sauce is more similar to BBQ sauce. It is a vegan condiment with a sweet and tangy taste. Hoisin sauce is made of soybeans, garlic, chili, and vinegar. It tastes sweeter than oyster sauce, but the consistency and texture are similar.
I suggest you use just a bit of hoisin sauce or add some water to reduce its saltiness. You can also add a pinch of palm sugar or regular sugar to balance the flavor.
6. Light Soy Sauce
If you have light soy sauce in your pantry, it can be a perfect substitute for oyster sauce. I suggest adding a bit of palm sugar or brown sugar to balance the salty taste of light soy sauce.
Mix it with cornstarch slurry to achieve the same consistency as oyster sauce. Let it simmer at low heat before using.
7. Fish Sauce
Another substitute that can add umami flavor to a dish is fish sauce. Fish sauce is made of fermented fish (anchovies). The color is light brown with a thin texture and has a saltier taste than soy sauce. Fish sauce has a pungent smell and compliments seafood dishes rather than meaty dishes.
Add a little bit of palm sugar or brown sugar and corn starch slurry to make it similar to the flavor of the oyster sauce. Let it simmer until it thickens. The fish sauce will become slightly sweeter and have a thicker texture.
Please note that fish sauce is highly salt-concentrated and has a fishy smell, so you need to adjust it with the other ingredients in the recipe.
8. Sweet Soy Sauce
Sweet soy sauce is made of fermented soybeans, salt, garlic, and palm sugar. It is dark in color and thicker than regular soy sauce.
Sweet soy sauce, also known as ‘kecap manis’ in Indonesia, adds a sweet, umami flavor to many Indonesian dishes. It is used as a topping, marinade, or dipping sauce.
I suggest you add some light soy sauce or fish sauce to the sweet soy sauce. Sweet soy sauce has a unique taste but is quite different from oyster sauce.
9. Mushroom Broth
Mushroom broth is the best vegan replacement for oyster sauce. Combine shiitake mushrooms, garlic, salt, and pepper in a stock pot. Pour in water and let it simmer for two hours. Add cornstarch slurry to thicken it. Store the broth in the fridge.
10. Teriyaki Sauce
Teriyaki sauce is made of soy sauce, sugar, mirin, ginger, honey, and garlic. It is a mixture of sweet, savory, tangy, and salty. Its unique taste makes it a great choice for dipping sauce or condiment.
Japanese cuisine usually uses teriyaki sauce for grilling meat, fish, chicken, beef, pork, and vegetables. It is a vegan sauce with soy and gluten. It is suitable for dipping, topping, marinade, or as an ingredient in a dish.
11. Anchovies or Dried Shrimps
When you add anchovies or dried shrimp to a dish, they give it an umami flavor. I suggest you blend the anchovies or dried shrimp into a powdered form and add a little sugar to the dish.
12. Coconut Aminos
Coconut aminos are soy sauce without soy and vegan. They are made from fermented coconut sap and salt. This can be a healthy alternative to oyster sauce.
Add a pinch of palm sugar or brown sugar to balance the taste.
13. Worcestershire Sauce
This condiment is unexpectedly a good option for oyster sauce substitutes. It is made from vinegar, molasses, anchovies, garlic, sugar, tamarind extract, and onion. It is soy-free and gluten-free. However, it has the same umami flavor as soy sauce with much less sodium.
It is also popular as Worcester sauce is commonly used for finished dishes such as hamburgers, steak, Caesar salad dressing, and even for cocktails such as Bloody Marys.
Make Your Own Vegan (Mushroom) Oyster Sauce
Making your own vegan oyster sauce at home is really easy. Soak a few dried shiitake mushrooms until they are soft, and you get some brown-colored water. Strain the water, add palm sugar, soy sauce, and cornstarch slurry, and bring it to simmer until it thickens.
This homemade vegan oyster sauce can be stored in a jar in the fridge. Use a tablespoon for stir-fry or marinade. It can be your perfect substitute for oyster sauce!
Tips to Determine the Right Substitute
With all the choices above, you might be confused and don’t know what to choose for an oyster sauce substitute. Just remember the balance of the flavor is very important.
Check the sweetness, saltiness, texture, and the ingredients used. Make sure you understand the ingredients in the recipe and what to expect from the dish. Choosing the right oyster sauce replacement will help you get the expected result. The right substitute can still add umami flavor to the dish.
Braising
When you braise meat dishes such as chicken, beef, and pork, the best substitutes are hoisin sauce and a little palm sugar. Using oyster sauce substitutes with a braising (slow-cooking) technique can produce a similar flavor.
Stir Fries
For stir-fry recipes, make sure you prepare the oyster sauce substitutes before you start cooking. Stir-fries have to be quick, so it is best to have them ready by your side so you don’t overcook the dish.
Vegetable Dishes
Sweet soy sauce or teriyaki sauce are the best options for adding sweetness to vegetable dishes such as broccoli, spinach, and green beans. Light soy sauce can also balance the sweetness of the dish.
Flavor Enhancer
Oyster sauce enhances the flavor of fried rice or meat patties. Mushroom sauce or hoisin sauce are perfect substitutes.
Oyster Sauce Substitute FAQs
Can oyster sauce be used as a dipping sauce?
Oyster sauce is perfect as a dipping sauce. Combine it with light soy sauce, vinegar, and palm sugar to make an ideal dipping sauce for barbequed meats or deep-fried meatballs.
How to store oyster sauce?
The best way to store oyster sauce after opening it is in the fridge. It is okay to keep it in your pantry when it is not opened.
Does oyster sauce really contain oysters?
Yes, oyster sauce really contains oysters—check the label at the back. The premium and regular versions both have oysters, but the premium has more oyster content than the regular one.
This article originally appeared on Pink When.
Author: Claudia Syanny
A passionate culinary enthusiast with over 12 years of experience in the culinary business, she founded Butter Joy Kitchen to share her love for Asian cuisine and recipes. Having lived in Indonesia and Taiwan, she has immersed herself in diverse culinary cultures, which has greatly influenced her cooking style. Through her blog, she aims to inspire others to recreate delicious dishes in their own kitchens.