Need a tamari substitute? I have the ten best tamari alternatives listed here, some of which you already have in your pantry!
Cooking a recipe that requires tamari? If all you have is an empty bottle and you need a tamari substitute, I have compiled the best alternatives to tamari. There is a wide range of different replacements accessible, each bringing something different to the table.
Let’s dive in to see the best tamari substitutes that will work for your recipes:
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What is Tamari?
Tamari is a Japanese soy sauce that is prepared using fermented soybeans, wheat, and salt. Also known as dark soy sauce, it is the key ingredient in numerous dishes including rice, noodles, sushi, tofu, and dumplings.
Even though soy sauce is the next best substitute to tamari, these two are quite different when it comes to color and texture. Tamari sauce tends to be richer and thicker.
This sauce has a rich umami (pleasant savory taste) flavor in a diverse range of dishes. It is perfect for savory dishes that necessitate a thicker consistency, such as sauces and dips. Tamari sauce is also outstanding for seasoning stir-fry. It is a gluten-free Japanese condiment that has less salt and is darker when compared to soy sauce.
Delicious Tamari Flavor Pairings
Tamari supplements several savory dishes to make a delicious, balanced mix of flavors. If you are looking for diverse food groups to try with Tamari, here are a couple of options:
- Noodles: Enjoy a bowl of pasta. Tamari adds a delectable taste to a variety of noodles. Whether you love udon, ramen, or soba noodles, this sauce and soy sauce substitute develop a rich and irresistible flavor.
- Vegetables: Cooked veggies are an extremely healthy and delicious way to add flavor to any meal. A soy sauce substitute to boost your vegetable flavor is tamari. You can prepare grilled vegetable skewers, making them perfect for warmer seasons. Another great recipe that uses tamari is spicy beef and vegetable stir fry.
- Soup: A steaming, savory soup bowl on a chilly day can taste much better when you add some tamari to the broth. You can add it to creamy miso broccoli soup or Asian noodle soup.
- Dumplings: An all-time favorite dumplings are perfectly paired with tamari dip. Mix rice vinegar, tamari, and toasted sesame oil for the perfect dip.
- Turkey: Adding tamari to your turkey will prevent it from drying out or toughening up. Refrigerate your Tamari-brined turkey that can be added to sandwiches and future meals. It offers a diverse blend of flavors that includes red pepper flakes, sweet honey, molasses, garlic powder, etc.
Best Tamari Substitutes
Sometimes, it could be a challenge to find tamari in the market. In these situations, you can use one of the alternatives to tamari mentioned below:
1. Soy Sauce
Easily the closest, and most commonly accessible, soy sauce is the best tamari replacement. Soy sauce offers a similar umami flavor, even though it’s rather thinner in consistency. It is highly versatile and works perfectly for stews, stir-fries, and even as a dipping sauce for sushi. You can substitute tamari with soy sauce in a 1:1 ratio. Soy sauce can also be used as a marinade for different meats and can be combined with ketchup, sugar, and garlic to make a barbeque mix.
2. Fish Sauce
If you are into Thai cuisine, then fish sauce offers a unique flavor that will taste similar to tamari. Mostly used in Southeast Asian cuisine, it is a condiment made from fermented fish. It might take some time to get used to the strong fish flavor and aroma because it can be quite overpowering if you add too much. Remember that fish sauce is stronger so you can use ½ teaspoon of fish sauce for 1 tablespoon of tamari. Getting the right ratio will add depth and a rounded flavor to your dish which will impress our guests. This substitute for tamari gives your dish a funky, tangy, salty flavor.
3. Balsamic Vinegar
Another alternative to tamari is balsamic vinegar. It has a salty and sour taste, making it a super versatile ingredient in your pantry. It pairs ideally when it comes to vegetables and meat. You can also pair it with honey or sugar to sweeten it because balsamic vinegar is sourer than tamari. Balsamic vinegar is commonly paired as a salad dressing. You will have to use ½ teaspoon of balsamic vinegar for 1 tablespoon of tamari.
4. Hoisin Sauce
If you are looking for a gluten-free substitute for tamari, hoisin sauce is a great option. It is made with fermented soybeans, this sauce provides a sweet, tangy, spicy, umami flavor. Hoisin sauce is thicker and sweeter than tamari, which will easily add depth to your dishes. It can be used as a tamari replacement for infusing seafood, meat, and poultry. This sauce has a pungent taste compared to tamari, so you’ll want to use a smaller quantity.
5. Anchovies
It may be hard to believe but adding finely chopped anchovies to your dish gives a similar flavor profile that tamari offers. Although anchovies are not loved by everyone, this ingredient is pretty versatile. This tamari replacement will give your dish a deep flavor and provides an ideal balance of umami, salty, and fish flavors. It is imperative to get the right proportion otherwise you might have an overly salty dish. From pasta sauces to Caesar salads, anchovies are a convenient ingredient for numerous dishes. To substitute for tamari in a stir-fry, utilize a ratio of 1:1.
6. Oyster Sauce
In spite of its name, oyster sauce provides a less fishy flavor than anchovies or fish sauce. With a tangy taste, oyster sauce is pretty similar to hoisin and can be used in a 2:1 ratio. This makes it a perfect sauce to prepare dips and stir-fry. Oyster sauce is a great substitute for tamari but is sweeter in taste and thicker in texture. It is commonly utilized in Asian cuisine, particularly Chinese, to give it a dissimilar savory flavor. Remember when adding oyster sauce, you should cut out the sugar if the recipe calls for it.
7. Miso Paste
Another wonderful substitute for Tamari is miso paste. Offering the same umami flavor, this alternative is commonly used in Japanese cuisine. Miso paste tends to have a thicker texture so adding a splash of water loosens the texture depending on your recipe. This tamari replacement could be a great addition to vegetables, meat, or tofu, even though the flavor may not be a good match in certain recipes. If you are not sure about the flavor, taste miso first to get an idea of how it will affect the general flavor of the dish.
8. Coconut Aminos
If you have a soy allergy and want to avoid it for health reasons, then coconut aminos are a soy-free alternative to tamari. It contains a similar flavor, which is why you can swap tamari in a 1:1 ratio. This substitute is less salty, so you might need to add a little more to taste. It is sweeter and milder than tamari, so it is best, to begin with, half the amount of tamari.
9. Teriyaki Sauce
If you want the perfect marinade or glaze on your poultry, then opt for teriyaki sauce as a soy sauce substitute. It has four components including tamari, sugar, ginger, and brown sugar. It offers a rich flavor and a delicate sweetness to every dish that is put into and it tastes like Tamari sauce. Try using it at a 2:1 ratio to get similar levels of salt.
10. Salt
Easily available in your pantry, salt will give a similar flavor to Tamari. Although the dish won’t taste the same, if you do not have any other ingredients salt can be used. You can select from an assortment of salts, comprising chili salt, garlic salt, and onion salt. Even without the umami flavor, it still makes the perfect seasoning.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For any recipe that calls for tamari, you can substitute it with the standard soy sauce. However, you must remember that soy sauce is sweeter and saltier. As a result, you will experience a slight difference in the taste of your dish. Soy sauce is a good substitute because of the umami flavor. You can swap equal parts of tamari with soy sauce.
Tamari comprises approximately 10% more salt by volume compared to soy sauce. So for people who are watching their blood pressure, it is best to opt for a tamari replacement. On the contrary, tamari typically has lesser additives, making it a better choice for people who want to go all-natural. Therefore, the question about tamari being healthier comes down to your personal preferences.Â
Yes, Tamari sauce is gluten-free. It is made using soybeans and is a certainly gluten-free condiment. Though, it is better to look at the ingredients label because some Tamari sauces have wheat in them. Consequently, they will not be considered gluten-free.Â
For most organic tamari brands, the sauce does not contain MSG or preservatives. However, you must opt for top-quality organic brands to get an additive-free condiment. The drawback is that organic tamari can be quite pricey. If you wish to avoid foods that do not have MSG, go through the ingredients label before purchasing.Â
Yes, similar to many other sauces you will have to refrigerate tamari after opening it. The sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 months when placed properly. To extend its shelf life, you will need to ensure that the lid is placed on tightly.
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