What can I use instead of Dark soy sauce?

Light soy + molasses: 1 Tbsp regular soy sauce + 1/2 tsp molasses. Tamari + molasses: 1 Tbsp tamari + 1/2 tsp molasses.

What changes when you substitute Dark soy sauce?

Slightly saltier. Same as above, GF.

Substitute for Dark soy sauce

What it does in a recipe: Thick, aged soy that colors braises glossy mahogany without much salt.

2 substitutes, ranked by what's already in your pantry. Amounts are dataset values — US and metric where a ratio exists.

Light soy + molasses

per 1 Tbsp dark soy

US1 Tbsp regular soy sauce + 1/2 tsp molasses

Metric15 ml soy sauce + 3 g molasses

Pantry stapleBaking-safe ✓Alcohol-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeFish-freeNut-freePeanut-freeShellfish-freeVeganContains glutenContains soy

Rebuilds color and a hint of caramel.

What changes: Slightly saltier

Tamari + molasses

per 1 Tbsp dark soy

US1 Tbsp tamari + 1/2 tsp molasses

Metric15 ml tamari + 3 g molasses

CommonBaking-safe ✓Alcohol-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeFish-freeNut-freePeanut-freeShellfish-freeVeganContains soy

Gluten-free path to the same color.

What changes: Same as above, GF

Related swaps

Common questions

What can I use instead of Dark soy sauce?: Light soy + molasses: 1 Tbsp regular soy sauce + 1/2 tsp molasses. Tamari + molasses: 1 Tbsp tamari + 1/2 tsp molasses.
What is the exact ratio to substitute Dark soy sauce?: Light soy + molasses (per 1 Tbsp dark soy) — US: 1 Tbsp regular soy sauce + 1/2 tsp molasses. Metric: 15 ml soy sauce + 3 g molasses.
What changes when you substitute Dark soy sauce?: Slightly saltier. Same as above, GF.

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