✔ Updated · 14 swaps with ratios, plus vegan and gluten-free options
Oyster sauce adds a sweet, salty, savory gloss to stir-fries, but it is easy to replace. Here are the best alternatives, with ratios and the dishes each one suits.
The best alternative to oyster sauce is vegetarian mushroom “oyster” sauce, used 1:1. Otherwise, mix equal parts hoisin and soy sauce, or stir 1 teaspoon of brown sugar into 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and use half the amount. Kecap manis and fish sauce with a little sugar also work well. For vegan cooking, use mushroom sauce or miso with soy sauce.
- Closest match: vegetarian mushroom sauce, 1:1.
- Pantry fix: hoisin + soy sauce, 1:1, or soy sauce + sugar at half the amount.
- Seafood flavor: fish sauce + sugar.
- Gluten-free: tamari + maple syrup, or coconut aminos.
The Best Alternatives to Oyster Sauce
Ranked from closest match to handy pantry fixes. Ratios are per 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce; taste and adjust, since every brand differs in salt and sweetness.
1. Vegetarian mushroom "oyster" sauce
The closest match: a thick, glossy sauce made from mushrooms and soy that copies oyster sauce's sweet, savory body. Use 1:1.
2. Hoisin sauce + soy sauce
Mix equal parts hoisin and soy sauce for oyster sauce's thickness, sweetness and salt. Use 1:1 in stir-fries and glazes.
3. Soy sauce + sugar
Stir 1 teaspoon brown sugar into 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Thinner and saltier, so use about half the amount called for.
4. Kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
Indonesian sweet soy sauce is thick, dark and syrupy, close in texture. It is sweeter, so use about 3/4 the amount.
5. Fish sauce + sugar
Brings the seafood umami oyster sauce has. Use 1 teaspoon fish sauce plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar per tablespoon of oyster sauce.
6. Hoisin + a splash of fish sauce
Hoisin adds body and sweetness while a few drops of fish sauce add the briny note; good for beef and broccoli.
7. Teriyaki sauce
Soy, sugar and mirin give a similar sweet-salty balance. Use 1:1 in marinades and glazes; it is thinner and sweeter.
8. Mushroom-flavored dark soy sauce
Dark soy brewed with straw mushrooms gives deep color and earthy umami. Use about half, plus a pinch of sugar.
9. Dark soy sauce + sugar + cornstarch
Simmer 2 tablespoons dark soy, 1 teaspoon sugar and a little cornstarch slurry for a thick, glossy stand-in.
10. Worcestershire sauce + soy sauce
Worcestershire has anchovy umami and tang. Mix 1 part with 2 parts soy sauce; best for marinades and gravies.
11. Black bean garlic sauce
Fermented black beans give salty, funky depth. Use about half the amount and cut other salt in the recipe.
12. White miso + soy + sugar
Whisk 1 teaspoon miso, 2 teaspoons soy sauce and a pinch of sugar for a vegan, umami-rich paste with body.
13. Tamari + maple syrup
A gluten-free option: 1 tablespoon tamari plus 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup per tablespoon of oyster sauce.
14. Coconut aminos
Soy-free and gluten-free, sweeter and milder than soy sauce. Use 1:1, adding a pinch of salt if the dish tastes flat.
Oyster Sauce Substitutes Compared
| Substitute | Ratio per 1 tbsp | Best for | Vegan? | Gluten-free? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mushroom “oyster” sauce | 1 tbsp | Everything, 1:1 | Yes | Check label |
| Hoisin + soy (equal parts) | 1 tbsp | Stir-fries, glazes | Yes | No (use tamari) |
| Soy sauce + sugar | 1/2 tbsp | Quick stir-fries | Yes | No (use tamari) |
| Kecap manis | 3/4 tbsp | Fried rice, noodles | Yes | Usually no |
| Fish sauce + sugar | 1 tsp + 1/2 tsp sugar | Seafood, Thai-style dishes | No | Usually yes |
| Teriyaki sauce | 1 tbsp | Marinades, chicken | Yes | No |
| Worcestershire + soy | 1 tbsp of the mix | Marinades, gravies | No | No |
| Miso + soy + sugar | 1 tbsp of the mix | Vegan stir-fries | Yes | Use tamari |
| Coconut aminos | 1 tbsp | Soy-free, paleo | Yes | Yes |
What Does Oyster Sauce Taste Like?
Oyster sauce is a thick, dark brown sauce made from oyster extract, sugar, salt and soy sauce, thickened with cornstarch. It tastes savory and lightly sweet, not fishy, with deep umami and a glossy body that clings to noodles, meat and vegetables.
A good substitute needs three things: salt, a little sweetness and some thickness. That is why most swaps pair a salty base like soy sauce with sugar or a thick sauce like hoisin.
How to Choose the Right Substitute
- Stir-fries and noodles: mushroom sauce, or hoisin + soy sauce. Add a cornstarch slurry if the sauce looks thin.
- Beef and broccoli or Mongolian-style beef: hoisin + soy sauce with a few drops of fish sauce.
- Seafood and Thai dishes: fish sauce + sugar, used sparingly.
- Marinades: teriyaki, or Worcestershire + soy sauce.
- Vegan or shellfish allergy: vegetarian mushroom sauce or miso + soy sauce. Regular oyster sauce contains shellfish.
- Gluten-free: tamari + maple syrup or coconut aminos; most oyster and soy sauces contain wheat.
Quick Homemade Oyster Sauce Substitute
This pantry mix makes about 1/4 cup and replaces oyster sauce 1:1 in most stir-fries.
- Whisk 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari), 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce, 2 teaspoons brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch in a small pan.
- Add 2 tablespoons water and a few drops of fish sauce if you eat fish (skip it for vegan).
- Simmer, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes until glossy and slightly thick.
- Cool and keep in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Common Mistakes
- Swapping soy sauce 1:1: it is much saltier and thinner than oyster sauce. Start with half.
- Too much fish sauce: a little adds depth; too much makes the dish taste fishy.
- Forgetting the sweetness: oyster sauce is lightly sweet, so add a pinch of sugar to salty swaps.
- Skipping the thickener: a little cornstarch slurry gives back the glossy coating.
Recipes to Try
Put your substitute to work in copycat Panda Express Beijing beef, chow mein, fried rice or any of our Chinese recipes. Wondering about noodles? See chow fun vs mei fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of oyster sauce?
Vegetarian mushroom oyster sauce is the closest swap and works 1:1. From the pantry, mix equal parts hoisin and soy sauce, or add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar to 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and use half as much. Kecap manis, teriyaki and fish sauce with sugar also work in stir-fries.
Can I use soy sauce instead of oyster sauce?
Yes, but soy sauce is saltier, thinner and not sweet. Use about half the amount of oyster sauce called for, add a pinch of sugar, and thicken with a little cornstarch slurry if you want the glossy coating. Dark soy sauce gives a closer color.
Is hoisin sauce the same as oyster sauce?
No. Hoisin is a sweet, thick sauce made from fermented soybeans, sugar, garlic and spices, with no seafood. Oyster sauce is saltier and more savory. Hoisin alone makes a dish too sweet, so mix it with equal parts soy sauce to get closer to oyster sauce.
What is a vegan alternative to oyster sauce?
Use vegetarian mushroom oyster sauce, sold in Asian grocers and many supermarkets, at a 1:1 ratio. At home, whisk a teaspoon of miso with two teaspoons of soy sauce and a pinch of sugar, or mix hoisin with soy sauce. These also suit anyone with a shellfish allergy.
Is there a gluten-free substitute for oyster sauce?
Yes. Most oyster sauces and soy sauces contain wheat, so use tamari with a little maple syrup, or coconut aminos, which is also soy-free. Some brands make gluten-free oyster sauce or gluten-free mushroom sauce; always check the label because recipes change.
