Worcestershire (pronounced, WOO-stuh-shure) sauce adds a distinct, rich, umami flavor to so many dishes—ranging from steak marinade to a Bloody Mary—but it's not irreplaceable. If that bottle runs out mid-recipe, there are Worcestershire substitutes you can use to recreate its deliciousness without making an extra trip to the store.
The good news is that once you get your hands on a bottle of Worcestershire sauce—made from fermented anchovies, plus vinegar and tamarind—it'll last you.You can store an unopened bottle for about a year in the pantry, and an opened, refrigerated bottle is safe to use for months. Inevitably, it's bound to run out, and when that happens, here's what you can use instead.
DIY Imitation-Worcestershire Sauce Blend
Making this sauce blend from scratch is easier than getting to the store. “There’s no single ingredient that can be substituted for Worcestershire sauce to get the same sweet, salty, and sour flavor,” says Herve Malivert, director of culinary affairs at the Institute of Culinary Education, but this DIY blend comes closest.
“Try a combination of 1 part ketchup to ½ part soy sauce and ½ part malt vinegar to start," Malivert says, "and play with the proportions to balance the flavor.” Use this as a 1-to-1 substitute for Worcestershire sauce.
Reduced Balsamic Vinegar
For a similar texture, funk, and sweetness to Worcestershire, you can reduce balsamic vinegar in a saucepan until it's concentrated, thick, and delicious. Over low heat, stir gently until the liquid has reduced by half. After it cools slightly, use it in the same proportion as Worcestershire sauce.
Soy Sauce
While it doesn’t hit all the same notes as Worcestershire, soy sauce certainly works in a pinch. Use it as a 1-to-1 swap and, if desired, add a pinch of sugar to replicate the sweetness in Worcestershire.
Miso Paste
Miso paste adds a fermented funkiness to a dish and can bring recipes requiring Worcestershire sauce to another level. To substitute, use miso in the same ratio as Worcestershire, and then mix with a bit of warm water to turn it into a stir-able paste. This works especially well in salad dressings and marinades.
Oyster Sauce
Made from oyster extract, sugar, salt, and cornstarch for thickness, oyster sauce can be a nice, slightly sweeter substitute for Worcestershire sauce. Use it in the same ratio and, if the recipe calls for added sugar (including agave or honey), halve the amount to avoid over-sweetening your dish.
Anchovy Paste
Typically sold in a tube, anchovy paste can be a salty, funky, 1-to-1 swap for Worcestershire sauce that melds easily with everything. If you don't have paste, you can mash up canned anchovies for a similar result.
Red Wine
For slow-cooked dishes, consider subbing any red wine for Worcestershire sauce to add flavor, acidity, and sweetness. Use twice as much wine as Worcestershire sauce called for in the recipe because the wine will reduce.
A1 Steak Sauce
If steak sauce is a staple in your household, grab a bottle to use as a 1-to-1 sub for Worcestershire sauce. Made from tomato paste, vinegar, and raisin paste, A1 has the same consistency as Worcestershire. It’s a bit sweeter but works well as an easy swap.
Maggi
Often likened to Worcestershire sauce, Maggi seasoning—sold as a sauce as well as in cubes and as a granulated powder—is made from hydrolyzed wheat protein, and offers a funkier flavor than soy sauce. Use half as much Maggi as Worcestershire sauce to ensure your meal isn’t too salty. (You can always add more if needed.)
