Substitutions

Substitute for Soy sauce

6 tested substitutions — with the ratio and the caveat that decides whether it works.

Ratio	Soy sauce	Works in
×1	tamari (gluten-free) Same umami depth without wheat — check the label. Kitchen-tested	cooking
×1	coconut aminos Sweeter, less salty — you may need a pinch more salt. Reference ratio	cooking
×0.75	fish sauce Stronger and fishier — use less, add a little sugar. Reference ratio	cooking
×1	liquid aminos (Bragg) Similar saltiness; slightly different aroma. Reference ratio	cooking
×1	miso paste + water Dilute 1 tbsp miso in 2 tbsp water per tbsp of soy sauce. Reference ratio	cooking
×1	oyster sauce Thicker and sweeter — reduce added sugar. Reference ratio	cooking

Baking is less forgiving than cooking — stick to substitutions marked « baking » and respect the ratio.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best substitute for Soy sauce?

It depends on the recipe — the table above shows which substitutes work in baking vs cooking.

Can I substitute Soy sauce in baking?

Baking is less forgiving than cooking — stick to substitutions marked « baking » and respect the ratio.