Tamari is a Japanese soy sauce made with little or no wheat, giving it a smoother, less sharp flavour than regular soy sauce. It began as a liquid byproduct of miso production, and is usually thicker and darker than standard soy sauce.
Where to buy tamari in the UK
Tamari is easier to find than it used to be, though it still sits in a slightly different spot to regular soy sauce in most stores.
Which aisle is tamari in?
Tamari is usually in the world food aisle near the other soy sauces, though the free-from or health food aisle often carries it too, since it is prized as a gluten free option.
Asian supermarkets
A Japanese or Asian grocer carries a wider range of tamari brands, often at a better price than supermarkets.
Buying it online
Tamari keeps well, so a larger bottle online is worth it if you use it often, especially for gluten free cooking.
Brands to look for
Clearspring and Kikkoman both sell a tamari that is easy to find in the free-from or world food aisle of larger UK supermarkets, and Clearspring’s is certified gluten free, worth checking if that is why you are buying tamari rather than regular soy sauce. Health food shops stock it reliably too, often with a wider range of sizes than a supermarket.
What is tamari?
How to use it
- As a dipping sauce for sushi and sashimi, where its rounder flavour works well.
- In stir-fries and marinades in place of regular soy sauce, at the same quantity.
- Stirred through egg fried rice for a deeper, less salty finish.
Where tamari originally came from
Tamari began as the liquid that separates naturally during miso production, a byproduct rather than a sauce brewed on purpose, which is part of why it traditionally uses little to no wheat, unlike regular soy sauce which is brewed from a roughly equal mix of soybeans and wheat. This origin is also why tamari tends to be thicker and more deeply savoury than standard soy sauce.
Checking a bottle is genuinely gluten free
Not every tamari on the shelf is guaranteed gluten free, some brands still include a small amount of wheat in the brewing process even though the tradition is wheat-free. If gluten is a genuine concern rather than just a preference, look for a bottle specifically labelled gluten free or certified, rather than assuming tamari always qualifies.
Reduced-salt tamari
Some brands sell a reduced-sodium version of tamari alongside the standard bottle, worth seeking out if you are managing salt intake, since it can otherwise be just as salty as regular soy sauce despite the different brewing method.
The best tamari to buy in the UK
Clearspring tamari is the most widely stocked certified gluten free option in UK supermarkets and health food shops, and a reliable everyday bottle. Tamari is a Japanese soy sauce made with little or no wheat, giving it a smoother, less sharp flavour than regular soy sauce and making it the standard swap for anyone avoiding gluten.
What to check before you buy
- A certified gluten free label if that is the reason you are buying tamari, since a small number of brands still use trace wheat.
- Reduced salt versions, which some brands offer alongside the standard bottle.
- Bottle size, a larger bottle works out cheaper if you use it as your everyday soy sauce.
Tamari vs regular soy sauce
| Type | Gluten content | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Tamari | Usually gluten free, smoother flavour | Gluten free cooking, dipping sauces |
| Regular soy sauce | Contains wheat, sharper flavour | Everyday cooking where gluten is not a concern |
Checking the sodium content
Tamari carries similar salt levels to regular soy sauce despite the different brewing process, a reduced-sodium version exists from some brands if that matters for regular use.
How to store tamari
Keep it in the cupboard unopened, and in the fridge once opened, the same as regular soy sauce.
Frequently asked questions
Is tamari gluten free?
Most is, though some brands blend in a small amount of wheat, so check the label if this matters to you.
Can I use tamari instead of soy sauce?
Yes, it swaps in at the same quantity in most recipes, with a slightly smoother, less sharp result.
Is tamari more expensive than soy sauce?
Usually a little, since it is a smaller-batch product, but the difference is generally modest.
Can I use tamari in any recipe that calls for soy sauce?
Yes, it swaps in at the same quantity in almost every case.
