Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Run out mid stir fry, or cooking for someone who avoids shellfish. Here is what to reach for instead, ranked by how close it gets you.
The best oyster sauce substitute
The closest swap is hoisin sauce thinned with a little soy sauce and water, used at roughly three quarters of the amount. Hoisin brings the same thick, sweet, savoury body. For a vegan version, mushroom stir fry sauce, sometimes sold as vegetarian oyster sauce, is a direct one for one replacement.
Every substitute, ranked
- Mushroom stir fry sauce. One for one. Made for exactly this job and widely stocked.
- Hoisin plus soy. Three parts hoisin to one part soy sauce. Sweeter, so ease off other sugar.
- Soy sauce plus sugar. One tbsp soy with half a tsp of brown sugar. Thinner, but the flavour lands.
- Fish sauce plus sugar. Sharper and saltier. Use half the amount.
- Dark soy sauce. Gets you the colour and depth but none of the sweetness.
What is oyster sauce made of?
Oyster sauce is made from oyster extract, water, salt and sugar, thickened with cornflour and usually darkened with caramel. It tastes savoury and slightly sweet rather than fishy. Most supermarket brands contain wheat, so it is not gluten free unless the label says so.
Where to buy it in the UK
Every major supermarket stocks at least one brand in the world food aisle. Chinese supermarkets carry a wider range and better value in larger bottles. Online is the easiest route if you want a specific brand or a vegetarian version.
- Supermarket world food aisle, for the standard bottle
- Chinese supermarkets such as See Woo, Wing Yip and Hoo Hing
- Online grocers like Starry Mart and Oriental Mart
- Larger bottles work out cheaper if you cook Chinese food weekly
Frequently asked questions
Is oyster sauce vegetarian?
No. Standard oyster sauce contains oyster extract. Look for mushroom stir fry sauce or a bottle labelled vegetarian oyster sauce instead.
Can I use soy sauce instead of oyster sauce?
Yes, at a push. Add half a teaspoon of brown sugar per tablespoon of soy sauce to make up for the missing sweetness and body.
Does oyster sauce taste fishy?
No. It tastes savoury, slightly sweet and deeply umami. People who dislike fish sauce usually get on fine with oyster sauce.
How long does it keep?
Unopened it keeps for a year or more. Once opened, keep it in the fridge and use within about six months.
Shop this
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
- Oyster sauce. The real thing, dark and savoury.
- Vegetarian oyster sauce. Made from mushrooms, no oysters.
