Ingredient substitution guide
Best substitutes for fish sauce
Best swap for fish sauce: Soy sauce, 1:1; less funky umami, taste before adding salt; contains soy and wheat.
How we checked this: these swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes, and their ratios follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than one published chart. For exact amounts on many common swaps, see the NDSU and Colorado State University extension tables listed below. Editorial policy
What can I use instead of Fish Sauce?
The best swap for Fish Sauce is Soy Sauce, 1:1; less funky umami, taste before adding salt; contains soy and wheat. Another option is Soy Sauce plus Lime Juice, 3:1 soy to lime; the closest vegetarian match for salt plus sour. The table below also lists Worcestershire Sauce and Coconut Aminos, 4 swaps in all.
| Swap | Ratio and notes |
|---|---|
| Soy sauce | 1:1; less funky umami, taste before adding salt; contains soy and wheat |
| Soy sauce plus lime juice | 3:1 soy to lime; the closest vegetarian match for salt plus sour Diet and health: Contains gluten. |
| Worcestershire sauce | 1:1; anchovy-based, so it carries the same savory depth |
| Coconut aminos | use 1.5x; milder and sweeter, soy-free |
Source and limits
These swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes to your kitchen, last updated . We remove swaps known to be unsafe, but not every swap has been tested in a kitchen, and a swap is cooking guidance, not an allergen or nutrition equivalent. Check labels and what the recipe needs before substituting.
The ratios and usage notes follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than a single published chart. These two university extension tables list exact amounts for many common swaps:
- Ingredient Substitutions (FN198), NDSU Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Ingredient Substitutions (9.329), Colorado State University Extension (opens in a new tab)
Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.
Read the full guide: Fish sauce substitute without seafood: a 1:1 swap
Buying more? Storage times for fish sauce