Best Soy Sauce Substitutes

The best soy sauce substitutes to buy, including how to make a simple and healthy version at home in minutes using four whole food ingredients.

While properly fermented soy sauce is a healthy traditional food, many people today actively avoid it due to allergies.

For example, while it is easy to avoid the wheat in soy sauce by using tamari, you still have fermented soy which isn’t ideal for those with pre-existing thyroid issues.

Coconut allergies are also on the rise, so the best commercial substitute for soy sauce….coconut aminos…is a no-go as well.

Hint: Never buy liquid aminos as it is loaded with MSG!

In situations where issues with both coconut and soy are present, the next best commercial substitute would be properly made fish sauce or mushroom garum.

However, these items can be hard to find and/or expensive depending on where you live.

Another wrinkle is that fish and mushrooms are fairly common allergens as well.

If you’ve been throwing up your hands searching for a tasty, non-allergenic soy sauce substitute that fits well in the home budget, I would suggest trying the recipe below.

Preparation Tips

The key to replicating the umani flavor of soy sauce is to reduce a small amount of beef broth.

If you are sensitive to glutamate, use short-cooked beef meat stock instead.

Using plain beef broth does not produce enough umami flavor, in my opinion.

Thus, it is worth taking the extra few minutes to reduce the broth down to achieve a richer flavor.

If you don’t have time to make your own beef broth or stock, I recommend this brand or this brand.

**Never buy broth in tetrapak, shelf stable cartons as this packaging is toxic even if the broth itself is otherwise organic and properly made.

I hope you enjoy this delicious condiment that works well with the following dishes or any Asian-inspired fare:

• natto fried rice
• egg fried rice
• shrimp fried rice
• egg foo yung
• peanut satay sauce

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Soy Sauce Substitute

Easy recipe for a tasty soy sauce substitute blended in minutes using four whole food ingredients. Soy-free and coconut-free.

Course Condiment

Cuisine American, asian

Keyword coconut-free, easy, fish-free, healthy, savory, soy-free

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 1 cup

Calories 10 kcal

Author Sarah Pope

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups beef broth
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 Tbsp molasses
• 1/4-1/2 tsp unrefined sea salt

Instructions

1. Cook down the beef broth on the stovetop in a medium-sized pot until it is reduced by half. This will take about 20 minutes on medium-high heat.

2. Cool the half-reduction broth on the counter for 15 minutes.

3. Mix in the remaining ingredients with the reduced beef broth in the pot. *Start with 1/4 tsp sea salt, add another 1/4 tsp after tasting the sauce if you feel it needs more salt.

4. Pour the mixture into a glass bottle or container. Store in the refrigerator with a tight-fitting lid.

5. This soy sauce substitute will last about one week refrigerated or many months if frozen.

Nutrition Facts

Soy Sauce Substitute

Amount Per Serving (1 Tbsp)

Calories 10

% Daily Value*

Carbohydrates 1.5g1%

Protein 1g2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.