Exploring 16 Best Tamari Substitutes for Your Cooking!

Tamari is a type of soy sauce with a rich and savory flavor. It's a popular condiment that adds flavor to many dishes, from stir-fries to salads. But what if you don't have tamari on hand? In that case, you'll need to find an alternative. Read on to learn about the best substitutes for tamari!

Looking for a soy sauce alternative or Tamari Substitute?

Tamari also called tamari soy sauce is a delicious soy sauce alternative that's gluten-free. It's perfect for those with gluten sensitivities or who are looking to cut down on wheat intake.

Tamari has a flavor that's similar to Chinese-style soy sauce, so it's perfect for adding umami flavor to your dishes. Try it in stir-fries, noodle bowls, and more!

Jump to:

• List of 16 Best Tamari Substitutes
• 1. Soy Sauce
• 2. Shoyu sauce
• 3. Mushroom Soy Sauce
• 4. Fish sauce
• 5. Liquid Aminos (gluten-free)
• 6. Coconut Aminos (gluten-free and soy free)
• 7. Miso Paste
• 8. Maggi Seasoning
• 9. Teriyaki
• 10. Oyster Sauce
• 11. Hoisin Sauce
• 12. Worcestershire Sauce
• 13. Monosodium Glutamate
• 14. Salt
• 15. Balsamic Vinegar
• 16. Umeboshi Vinegar
• Tamari Vs Soy Sauce
• People Also Ask [FAQs]
• Wrap Up: Tamari Sauce Substitute
• Recipe

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 it is 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, so it 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, such as 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 flavor that is unique to it, 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, so maybe I'm biased because I love tamari, but I really do think it's the best condiment out there. What about you? Let me know in the comments below!

People Also Ask [FAQs]

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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, which originates from Japan, 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, there are plenty of other substitutes available like coconut aminos or liquid aminos.
• Whatever your preference may be when it comes to Tamari sauces vs Soy Sauce (or Coconut Aminos), we hope this article helped clear up some confusion about the difference between them!

Recipe