What can I use instead of Fish sauce?

Soy sauce + lime juice: 1 Tbsp soy sauce + 1 tsp lime juice. Worcestershire sauce: 1:1 (it is anchovy-based).

What changes when you substitute Fish sauce?

Vegetarian; less depth. Sweeter, British accent.

Substitute for Fish sauce

What it does in a recipe: Intense umami-salt backbone for Southeast Asian cooking.

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

Soy sauce + lime juice

per 1 Tbsp fish sauce

US1 Tbsp soy sauce + 1 tsp lime juice

Metric15 ml + 5 ml

CommonBaking-safe ✓VeganDairy-freeEgg-freeNut-freeFish-freeAlcohol-freeContains glutenContains soy

Soy supplies the umami; lime the sharpness.

What changes: Vegetarian; less depth

Best for: Soups, dressings

Worcestershire sauce

per 1 Tbsp fish sauce

US1:1 (it is anchovy-based)

Metric1:1

CommonBaking-safe ✓Dairy-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-freeAlcohol-freeContains fish

Anchovies provide the same fermented-fish umami.

What changes: Sweeter, British accent

Best for: Marinades, dressings

Related swaps

Common questions

What can I use instead of Fish sauce?: Soy sauce + lime juice: 1 Tbsp soy sauce + 1 tsp lime juice. Worcestershire sauce: 1:1 (it is anchovy-based).
What is the exact ratio to substitute Fish sauce?: Soy sauce + lime juice (per 1 Tbsp fish sauce) — US: 1 Tbsp soy sauce + 1 tsp lime juice. Metric: 15 ml + 5 ml.
What changes when you substitute Fish sauce?: Vegetarian; less depth. Sweeter, British accent.

Kitchen Substitute for iPhone — every ratio on this page, in your pocket, offline.

$0.99 once · no ads · no account · free content updates forever.

Get it on the App Store

Acids

Condiments

Eggs

Fats & oils

Flours

Grains

Leaveners

Liquids

Meat

Italian sausage

Nuts

Pine nuts