Updated on April 9th, 2023
Worcestershire sauce is a fermented liquid used as a condiment in recipes. The sauce is used to enhance the flavor of foods. It is used as a background flavor. It is also used to give an umami flavor to dishes. This sauce is a versatile condiment that originated in Worcestershire, England. Hence, its name “Worcestershire sauce”. It was developed by two chemists in the 19th century. They are John Wheeley Lea and William Henry Perrins. They later formed the company, Lea & Perrins.
Worcestershire sauce is used as a condiment for marinades and salads. It is made with a good number of ingredients. Some of them include; spirit vinegar, anchovies, sugar, molasses, salt, onions, etc. Due to the presence of anchovies, people who do not eat fish are discouraged from having this sauce. Worcestershire sauce comes in different forms to suit the needs of different people. There are gluten-free Worcestershire, vegan Worcestershire, low-sodium Worcestershire, etc. It is usually indicated on the bottle’s label what type it is. Worcestershire sauce has a complex taste and flavor. It is tangy, tart, and savory at the same time. You can call it sweet and salty. The anchovies in the sauce are responsible for giving it its umami flavor. It has a thick consistency. The sauce also has a sour acidic odor due to the presence of vinegar in it. Asides from using it as a condiment, it has other uses. It is also used as a marinade, brushed on meat to be grilled.
This tasty sauce can be stored at room temperature if it hasn’t been opened. But once it is opened, it needs to be refrigerated. This is done in order to preserve its flavor. Generally, it can be stored for up to two years. Afterward, it will begin to lose its flavor. Every teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce contains; 5 calories, 65mg sodium, iron (in very small amounts), vitamin C, and calcium. When using this sauce, the amounts of other seasonings are reduced. Nowadays, the sauce is processed through pasteurization. Therefore, no life cultures remain in the end product.
Worcestershire Sauce Nutrition Facts:
Uses of Worcestershire sauce in recipes
This tasty sauce is used in many recipes such as;
- Classic meatloaf
- Simple cocktail sauce
- Grilled romaine salad with IPA Caesar dressing
- Black pepper steak
- Beef vegetable soup bourguignon
There are many reasons why a person may need a substitute for Worcestershire sauce. It could be due to health reasons, diet, and religious beliefs. It could be that you just ran out of Worcestershire sauce. This article seeks to provide excellent substitutes to suit your various needs.
Substitutes for Worcestershire Sauce
Balsamic Vinegar
Vinegar is the main ingredient in Worcestershire sauce. It serves as the base ingredient. Afterward, other ingredients are added to it to enhance its taste and flavor. Balsamic vinegar is very similar to Worcestershire sauce in this regard. Its complex flavor is also very similar to that of Worcestershire sauce. Hence, this makes it an excellent substitute for Worcestershire sauce.
Balsamic vinegar is a dark liquid obtained from grape must. Here, the grapes are crushed with their seeds, skins, and stems. It has an intensely concentrated flavor. It is sweet, tangy, and tart at the same time. It also has a sour acidic odor. This is typical of most vinegar and products with vinegar as their base ingredient. This amazing condiment originated in Italy. One serving contains about 88 calories. Its acidity level is between 6-7%. The balsamic vinegar has a bold flavor. This makes it a great substitute when it comes to marinades and salad dressings. In addition, balsamic vinegar has health benefits. They include;
- Aiding in weight loss
- Lowering cholesterol levels
- Reducing acid reflux
- Reducing hypertension
- Reducing blood sugar, etc.
You can call this a substitute with bonuses. When substituting Worcestershire sauce for this, you need to do this. Mix equal parts balsamic vinegar and tamarind paste. This will thicken it. Then you can serve it in your dish as you would with Worcestershire sauce.
Read More: Garlic Parmesan Wing Sauce Recipe
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is another amazing substitute for Worcestershire sauce. It originated in China. This sauce is not as tangy as Worcestershire sauce. However, it is sweet and has an umami flavor. It is dark and has a thick consistency. It is closest in similarity to Worcestershire sauce. This sauce is also high in sodium. Therefore, it is not recommended for people with or prone to high blood pressure.
This tasty sauce is great for pies, hamburgers, steaks, as a marinade, etc. If you wish to get the tart taste in this sauce, do this. Mix one part soy sauce and one part ketchup together. Serve it in your dish as you would serve Worcestershire sauce.
Coconut Aminos
This substitute is great for vegetarians and those who do not eat fish. It is also gluten-free, soy, and wheat-free. Coconut aminos are obtained from the fermented mixture of sea salt and the sap of coconut palm. It is a slightly sugary sauce, with a salty, savory taste and flavor. Its consistency is a bit lighter than Worcestershire sauce. But their colors are similar. It is dark in color and has an umami flavor to it as well. However, coconut aminos do not taste like coconuts.
Coconut aminos is good for people on a low-sodium diet. It is not as salty as Worcestershire sauce. Every teaspoon contains 90mg of sodium. Furthermore, it contains 17 amino acids and various B vitamins. Once a bottle of coconut aminos is opened, it should be refrigerated. This way, it can last for up to a year.
This delicious sauce is especially great as a dipping sauce or marinade. It could also be used in place of salt in soups. Substitute Worcestershire sauce with coconut aminos in the same amount. However, you will need to reduce the amount of salt you would use in your dish.
Fish Sauce
Just like Worcestershire sauce, fish sauce is also made from fermented anchovies. Their salty flavors are similar. However, fish sauce is not as sweet as Worcestershire sauce. Fish sauce is watery and clear, unlike Worcestershire sauce. It has a pungent smell. It also has an earthy, savory flavor. If you wish to achieve an almost exact Worcestershire sauce taste, do this. Mix equal parts fish sauce, soy sauce, and tamarind concentrate. Afterward, mix in half the amount of ketchup and rice vinegar. Add in a pinch of allspice. Serve it as you will serve Worcestershire sauce in your dish.
Barbecue Sauce
Barbecue sauce is a sauce used as a marinade, condiment, or basting on meat to be barbecued. It could also be used in beef stew. There are different barbecue sauce flavors. If you wish to have that sweet and tart delicious flavor like Worcestershire’s, get the sweet and tangy flavored barbecue sauce. Barbecue sauce has a lighter color than Worcestershire sauce. Mostly, barbecue sauces are thicker and sweeter than Worcestershire sauce. Their flavors are also very similar. A bottle of barbecue sauce that has been opened should be stored in a refrigerator. This could help it last for up to 9 months. Use this sauce the same way you would use Worcestershire sauce in your dish. However, remember that it is much sweeter than Worcestershire sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce the same?
No. Soy sauce is made with soybeans, salt, wheat, etc. Worcestershire sauce, however, is made with vinegar and other ingredients and left to ferment for a period of two years. Therefore, they are not the same.
Can I use A-1 instead of Worcestershire sauce?
Yes. It serves as a good substitute for Worcestershire sauce. A-1 is made with tomato paste, raisin paste, onions, and many other ingredients. This makes it a great substitute for Worcestershire sauce.
Who makes the best Worcestershire sauce?
Lea & Perrins. Most consumers prefer Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce to all other brands. In fact, they are the originators of the sauce. They are known to make the best Worcestershire sauce.
Conclusion
We often look for substitutes to suit our various needs. In 5 items, I have provided excellent substitutes for Worcestershire sauce that could suit your various needs. I hope you found this helpful.
