What Is a Good Oyster Sauce Substitute? 6 Options

You can replace oyster sauce to accommodate vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free diets. Alternatives include fish sauce, soy-based sauces, teriyaki, and more.

If a recipe calls for oyster sauce but you don’t have any — or you avoid seafood — there are other condiments you can use instead.

Oyster sauce is a sweet-salty condiment made mainly from oyster extracts, salt, and sugar. It also provides umami, the savory, mouth-filling taste.

It’s frequently used in Asian cooking, particularly Chinese and Thai recipes, for stir-fries, marinades, and dipping sauces.

The flavor of oyster sauce sits somewhere between fish sauce and soy sauce. It’s thick and syrupy with a deep brown hue. A good replacement should mimic these flavors and textures as closely as possible.

Below are 6 tasty alternatives to oyster sauce.

1. Fish sauce

While not identical, fish sauce can stand in for oyster sauce in certain recipes.

Made from fermented fish, fish sauce is thinner and has a more pronounced fishiness than oyster sauce. It’s typically saltier and less sweet.

Fish sauce is especially appropriate for strongly flavored dishes that won’t be overwhelmed by its taste, or for recipes that already incorporate seafood flavors, such as stir-fried fish.

2. Soy sauce

Soy sauce is an accessible swap for oyster sauce since many kitchens already stock it. It’s also suitable for vegans and vegetarians who avoid seafood.

Keep in mind soy sauce is saltier and more watery than oyster sauce. If substituting, consider adding sugar to introduce sweetness, and use a little less so the dish doesn’t become too salty.

Sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) is a closer match and is available at specialty or Asian markets. For a gluten-free choice, tamari is a gluten-free soy sauce made from fermented soybeans.

Shop for sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) online.

3. Hoisin sauce

Hoisin sauce is a flavorful Chinese condiment with a thick texture and notes of umami, sweetness, and tang. It resembles a barbecue-style sauce and can include ingredients like vinegar, chili paste, and garlic.

Because its consistency is similar to oyster sauce, hoisin can often be swapped in a 1:1 ratio. However, its flavor can be stronger depending on the recipe, so you might want to reduce the amount used.

Hoisin works well as an oyster sauce substitute in stir-fries and marinades, and it’s typically appropriate for vegan or vegetarian dishes.

4. Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce

Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies, while oyster sauce is derived from oysters. Both contribute umami from their seafood components and can be adapted to replace each other with adjustments.

To approximate oyster sauce, mix Worcestershire with soy sauce and a bit of sugar, and use sparingly.

For stir-fries or marinades, start with mostly soy sauce, incorporate some sugar, then add a few drops of Worcestershire to round out the flavor. This blend should add depth without dominating the dish.

5. Teriyaki sauce

Teriyaki sauce’s thicker texture makes it a workable substitute for oyster sauce in a pinch. It’s generally sweeter because it’s made from sugar, soy sauce, and a sweet rice wine like sake or mirin.

Teriyaki is particularly suitable for noodle dishes and stir-fries, and can also be used in marinades and as a dip.

6. Vegan mushroom sauce

If you want an oyster sauce alternative without any seafood or animal ingredients, a mushroom-based sauce delivers satisfying umami.

Soy and hoisin sauces are often vegan as well, but many people prefer creating a homemade mushroom “oyster” sauce. You can also find ready-made mushroom “oyster” sauces at specialty shops.

Typical recipes use dried mushrooms or mushroom bouillon, soy sauce, sugar, and cornstarch. See this vegan recipe for a step-by-step version.

Alternatively, shop for mushroom “oyster” sauce online.

The bottom line

Oyster sauce enhances many Chinese, Thai, and other Asian recipes, but you might not always have it available.

Fortunately, there are multiple substitutes. Some mimic its texture, others come close to the taste, and there are options that suit vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free needs.

Just one thing

Try this today: A quick stir-fry is an excellent way to experiment with the oyster sauce alternatives listed above. Check out this article for recipe inspiration.