Ingredient substitution guide
Best substitutes for oyster sauce
Best swap for oyster sauce: Hoisin sauce, 1:1; sweeter, so hold back any sugar the recipe calls for.
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 Oyster Sauce?
The best swap for Oyster Sauce is Hoisin Sauce, 1:1; sweeter, so hold back any sugar the recipe calls for. Another option is Soy Sauce, use half as much; thinner, add a pinch of sugar. The table below also lists Fish Sauce, 3 swaps in all.
| Swap | Ratio and notes |
|---|---|
| Hoisin sauce | 1:1; sweeter, so hold back any sugar the recipe calls for Diet and health: Lee Kum Kee's regular hoisin lists soybeans, wheat and sesame as allergens; check the label on other brands. |
| Soy sauce | use half as much; thinner, add a pinch of sugar Diet and health: Contains gluten and soy. |
| Fish sauce | use half as much; much thinner, saltier, more pungent; contains fish (anchovies) |
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)
- Lee Kum Kee USA, Hoisin Sauce (opens in a new tab)
Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.
Read the full guides:
Buying more? Storage times for oyster sauce