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5 Top Substitutes for Fish Sauce: Enhance Your Dishes

By: Author Andrew Gray

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Ever find yourself in the middle of cooking, only to realize you’re out of fish sauce? We’ve all been there. Fish sauce is a staple in many dishes for its unique flavor.

Yet, here we are, ready to guide you through alternatives. We got creative, testing different ingredients in our kitchens. Our discoveries? Surprising and delicious.

We’ll share our top five substitutes that will keep your meals on track. No fish sauce? No problem.

5 Easy Substitutes for Fish Sauce

The beauty of cooking is that there are no rules. You can always switch things up and make it your own. That’s why we’re excited to share these fish sauce substitutes with you. Let’s dive in:

SubstituteTasteTextureSuitable Dishes
Soy SauceSalty, UmamiLiquidStir-fries, Marinades, Sauces
WorcestershireTangy, UmamiLiquidMarinades, Dressings, Stews
TamariRich, UmamiLiquidStir-fries, Dipping Sauces
Anchovy PasteSavory, UmamiPasteSoups, Sauces, Dressings
Miso PasteEarthy, UmamiPasteMarinades, Glazes, Soups

1 – Soy Sauce

Soy sauce steps in like a friend when fish sauce is missing. It brings depth. Every tablespoon of fish sauce has a soy compadre, just swap them equally. We tried this in a stir-fry. The result? Smiles around the table.

Salty, with a hint of sweet, soy sauce fills the gap. Its liquid gold color enhances dishes visually too. We use it often. It’s a staple in our pantry now, not just a backup dancer.

For more on flipping ingredients, check out our guide on finding alternatives for soy sauce here.

2 – Worcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire sauce makes a great stand-in. It’s got this tangy, slightly sweet vibe. Mix it with a bit of water; it’s almost like the original. We dabbed it into a stew. The crew nodded approval.

It’s less fishy, more on the tangy side. Adds a slight zing to your dishes. One part Worcestershire, two parts water, and you’re golden. We gave this a go in marinades. Thumbs up all around.

Read up on other ways to swap things in your dishes right here.

3 – Tamari

Tamari steps up as a solid choice if you’re out of fish sauce. It’s a bit thicker and less salty than its soy cousin. We swapped in Tamari for fish sauce in a pinch. The dishes came out great.

It brings a rich, smooth flavor that boosts any meal. We were surprised at how well it blended into recipes. Tamari works well in a 1:1 ratio for fish sauce. We’ve used it in soups and sauces alike.

For those who want more ingredient swaps, find how Tamari can be replaced in this guide on Tamari substitutes.

4 – Anchovy Paste

Anchovy paste is a great substitute for fish sauce, adding rich flavor to pasta sauces and more. It’s salty and briny, enhancing meals with a sea-kissed taste. A squeeze (about half a teaspoon) works wonders in spaghetti.

It blends smoothly into dishes, especially dressings, without clumping.

For a versatile pantry, anchovy paste is a smart choice. Use one squeeze per half-teaspoon of fish sauce. Want more swap ideas? Check out this guide on using anchovy paste.

5 – Miso Paste

Miso Paste sneaks in like the undercover hero of flavor, seriously upping the umami game in your dishes.

We chucked some into our soups and, guess what? The crew went wild for it. It’s bold, yeah, but it brings this rich, can’t-get-enough texture.

And swapping miso for fish sauce? Total game-changer. We nailed down the perfect mix – a teaspoon of miso for every teaspoon of fish sauce needed.

Whether it’s soups or marinades, this switch is golden. Keen to explore more about swapping stuff in your cooking? Check out this killer guide on finding the perfect Miso substitutes.