Exploring 16 Best Tamari Substitutes for Your Cooking!

List of 16 Best Tamari Substitutes

1. Soy Sauce

• Soy sauce is a salty, savory sauce that's made from soybeans, wheat, and salt. It has a strong, earthy flavor that pairs well with Asian cuisine.
• It is often used in stir-fries, noodle bowls, and other dishes to add flavor and salt.
• Tamari is a soy sauce alternative that's gluten-free. It has a flavor that's similar to Chinese-style sauce, so it's perfect for adding umami flavor to your dishes.
• Tamari is often used in the same ways as soy sauce.
• To substitute soy sauce for Tamari, use a 1:1 ratio.

2. Shoyu sauce

• Shoyu sauce is a traditional Japanese soy sauce. It has a slightly sweeter and more complex flavor than Tamari sauce.
• Shoyu sauce is perfect for adding deep flavor to dishes like stir-fries, noodle bowls, and more.
• You can substitute Tamari sauce for Shoyu sauce in most recipes, but keep in mind that the flavor of Tamari will be a little bit milder.
• Use about ½ the amount of Tamari as you would Shoyu sauce.

3. Mushroom Soy Sauce

• Mushroom soy sauce is made with soybeans, water, salt, and black mushrooms. The sauce is thicker than light soy sauces and has a slightly different flavor.
• It can be used in cooking as a substitute for Tamari.
• The amount to substitute depends on the recipe, but generally, ½ teaspoon of mushroom soy sauce can be substituted for 1 teaspoon of Tamari.

4. Fish sauce

• Fish sauce is a salty, pungent sauce made from fermented fish or krill. It is used as a condiment in Southeast Asian and East Asian cuisine.
• The flavor of fish sauce varies depending on the type of fish used. It can be used to add flavor to dishes or as a dipping sauce.
• Tamari is thicker and has a more intense flavor than soy sauce.
• Use ½ teaspoon of Tamari for every 1 teaspoon of fish sauce called for in a recipe.

5. Liquid Aminos (gluten-free)

• Liquid Aminos is a soy sauce substitute made from free amino acids.
• It has a slightly salty, but mostly umami (savory) flavor and can be used in place of soy sauce in most recipes.
• It is especially popular in gluten-free cooking as a Tamari substitute.
• Liquid Aminos can also be used as a low-sodium alternative to soy sauce.
• To substitute Liquid Aminos for Tamari in a recipe, use ½ teaspoon of Liquid Aminos for every teaspoon of Tamari called for in the recipe.

6. Coconut Aminos (gluten-free and soy free)

• Coconut Aminos is a Tamari substitute made from the sap of coconut trees.
• It has a salty, umami flavor and is used as a condiment in cooking. Coconut Aminos can be used interchangeably with Tamari, but use less since it is saltier.
• 1 tablespoon of Tamari can be substituted with 1 teaspoon of Coconut Aminos.
• Coconut Aminos is also gluten-free, making it a great option for those with gluten sensitivities.

7. Miso Paste

• Miso Paste is a Japanese seasoning paste made from fermented soybeans, rice, or barley.
• The flavor of Miso Paste is salty and slightly sweet with a nutty flavor.
• The main uses of Miso Paste in cooking are as a condiment for sauces, soups, and dressings, or as an ingredient in marinades.
• To substitute Miso Paste for Tamari, use 1 tablespoon of Miso Paste for every 1 teaspoon Tamari.

8. Maggi Seasoning

• Maggi Seasoning is not a type of soy sauce but similar, that is typically used as a seasoning in cooking.
• It has a salty and slightly spicy flavor.
• Maggi Seasoning is most commonly used to add flavor to dishes such as stir fries, noodles, and soups.
• Tamari is a type of soy sauce that is less salty than Maggi Seasoning.
• In order to substitute Tamari for Maggi Seasoning, you would need to use about ⅓ of the amount.

9. Teriyaki

• Teriyaki is a Japanese sauce that is made with soy sauce, sugar, mirin, and sake.
• The flavor of teriyaki is sweet and salty.
• It is used as a glaze for chicken, beef, pork, seafood, and vegetables.
• Tamari can be substituted for teriyaki in most recipes. Tamari can be substituted with an equal amount of Teriyaki sauce.

10. Oyster Sauce

• Tamari is a thicker, less salty version of regular soy sauce from Japan.
• If you are looking for a tamari substitute, oyster sauce is a good option.
• Oyster sauce is made from oyster extract and has a deep, savory flavor.
• It is also thicker than tamari, so you may need to use it a little less if you are substituting it for Tamari.

11. Hoisin Sauce

• Hoisin sauce is a type of Chinese sauce that is made from soybeans, garlic, and sweetness.
• The flavor of Hoisin sauce is complex and includes elements of sweetness, saltiness, and spiciness.
• Hoisin sauce is often used as a glaze for meat or poultry dishes.
• It can also be added to stir-fries or used as a dipping sauce.
• Tamari can be substituted for Hoisin sauce in most cases.
• The amount to substitute Tamari for Hoisin sauce will vary depending on the recipe.
• Generally, ½ teaspoon of Hoisin sauce can be substituted for 1 teaspoon of Tamari sauce.

12. Worcestershire Sauce

• Worcestershire sauce is a type of sauce that is commonly used in English cuisine.
• The flavor of Worcestershire sauce is tangy and salty with a slightly sweet taste.
• It can be used in various dishes like meats, seafood, and vegetables.
• In general, you can substitute Worcestershire sauce for Tamari at a 1:1 ratio.

13. Monosodium Glutamate

• The sodium salt of glutamic acid is monosodium glutamate, also known as sodium glutamate.
• Some foods, such as tomatoes and cheese, contain MSG in this form.
• The flavor of Monosodium Glutamate is often described as umami, which is a savory or meaty flavor.
• MSG is used as a flavor enhancer in cooking because it amplifies other flavors.
• You can usually substitute 1 teaspoon of Monosodium Glutamate for 1 tablespoon of Tamari sauce.

14. Salt

• Salt is a mineral that is found in the earth's crust.
• It has a unique flavor, and it is mainly used in cooking to add flavor to food.
• The amount of Tamari that needs to be substituted for salt will vary depending on the recipe.

15. Balsamic Vinegar

• Balsamic Vinegar is a type of vinegar that is made from white Trebbiano grape juice.
• It is aged in oak casks for at least 12 years.
• The flavor of Balsamic Vinegar is sweet and sour, and it can be used in salad dressings, sauces, and marinades.
• You can substitute Balsamic Vinegar for Tamari 1:1.

16. Umeboshi Vinegar

• The flavor of Umeboshi vinegar is similar to Tamari sauce but it has more saltiness than sweetness.
• You can substitute up to 25% of Tamari with Umeboshi vinegar depending on the recipe.
• If you're substituting both ingredients for each other in a recipe, tamari isn't usually neutralized with citric acid, however, umeboshi vinegar usually has citric acid added, which enhances the effect on your palate.

Tamari Vs Soy Sauce

If you're a fan of Japanese cuisine, then you know all about soy sauce and tamari. But what's the difference between the two?

• Tamari is a wheat-free soy sauce.
• Tamari has a slightly thicker consistency than soy sauce.
• Tamari is less salty than soy sauce.
• Tamari has a slightly sweeter flavor than soy sauce.

Which is better for you: Tamari or Soy Sauce? Okay, maybe I'm biased because I love tamari, but I think it's the best condiment out there. What about you? Let me know in the comments below!

Wrap Up: Tamari Sauce Substitute

• Tamari sauce is a versatile soy-based condiment that can be used as a substitute for Tamari in many recipes.
• Tamari originates from Japan and is made from fermented soybeans and has been popularized by Japanese cuisine.
• If you're looking to replace Tamari Sauce with something more local or gluten-free, plenty of other substitutes are available like coconut aminos or liquid aminos.
• Whatever your preference for Tamari sauces vs Soy Sauce (or Coconut Aminos), we hope this article helped clear up some confusion about the difference between them!