Gourmet Hacks: 5 BEST Substitutes for Black Soy Sauce

Crafting that perfect dish and ran out of black soy sauce?

Not a problem. We’ve got your back with some top-notch swaps.

Trust us, you won’t even notice it’s gone.

These alternatives are lifesavers in the kitchen and will keep your flavors on point.

We’re here to show you that a missing ingredient doesn’t have to derail your dinner plans.

You’re about to be the most adaptable chef on the block.

Ready to dive into our treasure trove of substitutions?

You’ll wonder how you ever got by without this list.

What is Black Soy Sauce?

Black soy sauce, or lăo chōu 老抽 in Chinese, is made by gently cooking the soybeans until the desired level of darkness is reached.

The result is a salty condiment that has become popular worldwide.

Black soy sauce originated in China and is used in mapo tofu, black vinegar chicken, and pork belly.

It has a rich, smoky flavor that differs from lighter soy sauces.

The condiment is commonly used in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cooking.

A unique characteristic of black soy sauce is that it contains molasses.

This gives the sauce a thicker consistency than lighter varieties of soy sauce.

What are some common uses of black soy sauce?

Black Soy Sauce has become popular worldwide due to its rich, smoky flavor.

It can be found in many grocery stores and is used in various dishes.

Some common uses of black soy sauce include:

• Stir fry vegetables.
• Braised meat (e.g., pork belly).
• Cooked fish.
• Stir fry noodles.
• Szechuan cuisine.
• Mapo tofu.

The 5 Best Substitutes for Black Soy Sauce

Black soy sauce is a popular ingredient in Asian cuisines, known for its distinct umami flavor and dark color.

However, if you find yourself without black soy sauce or need alternative options, there are several substitutes that can provide a similar taste profile.

In this guide, we will compare the top 5 substitutes for black soy sauce, discussing their key characteristics and suggesting proper ratios to ensure excellent results in your culinary creations.

Substitute	Key Characteristics	Proper Ratio
Coconut Aminos	Sweet and salty with a milder taste compared to black soy sauce	Use an equal amount of coconut aminos as a substitute for black soy sauce
Tamari	Rich and savory with a deeper flavor profile than regular soy sauce	Use an equal amount of tamari as a substitute for black soy sauce
Light Soy Sauce	Salty with a milder taste and lighter color than black soy sauce	Use an equal amount of light soy sauce as a substitute for black soy sauce
Teriyaki Sauce	Sweet, tangy, and savory with a flavor similar to black soy sauce	Use an equal amount of teriyaki sauce as a substitute for black soy sauce
Oyster Sauce	Thick and rich with a complex umami flavor	Use an equal amount of oyster sauce as a substitute for black soy sauce

Now let’s dive into each substitute in more detail:

1 – Coconut Aminos

Coconut aminos is a plant-based alternative that you can use as a substitute.

Not only will it reduce your salt intake, but it’ll also cut out the gluten and soy found in regular soy sauce.

This condiment has been rapidly gaining traction as of late due to its numerous health benefits.

It contains 17 amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants naturally occurring.

Coconut aminos can be used in almost any dish that requires soy sauce.

This condiment is ideal if you’re looking to reduce your salt intake or cut out gluten and soy found in regular soy sauce.

It’s made from the sap of coconut trees blended with sea salt.

You can use it as a substitute for regular soy sauce in almost any dish.

• Key Characteristics: Coconut aminos are a gluten-free and soy-free alternative that offers a sweet and salty taste. They have a milder flavor compared to black soy sauce.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of coconut aminos as a substitute for black soy sauce. Adjust the quantity based on your taste preferences and recipe requirements.

2 – Tamari

Nowadays, tamari is making its way into many households across the world due to its ability to reduce your salt intake.

It has become increasingly popular for those who adhere to gluten-free diets as well.

This condiment is typically used in Japanese dishes.

It is made from fermented soybeans and contains less wheat than other varieties of soy sauce.

Tamari can be used to substitute for black soy sauce in almost any dish.

In addition, it is rich in antioxidants and minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium.

In addition to this, tamari has anti-inflammatory properties.

• Key Characteristics: Tamari is a type of soy sauce that is rich and savory with a deeper flavor profile than regular soy sauce. It can be an excellent substitute for black soy sauce in terms of taste.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of tamari as a substitute for black soy sauce. Adjust the quantity based on your taste preferences and recipe requirements.

3 – Light Soy Sauce

Light soy sauce is another great alternative.

Soy sauce is typically made from fermented soybeans and contains less wheat than other varieties of soy sauce, such as dark or light.

A key difference between light and dark soy sauce is that the latter includes molasses, giving it a darker color and sweeter flavor.

Light soy sauce is a great alternative if you need a stronger, saltier taste.

When it comes to light soy sauce, you can use it when cooking or in dipping sauces.

The light soy sauce flavor enhances meats, seafood, vegetables, and chicken.

• Key Characteristics: Light soy sauce is a milder version of soy sauce with a lighter color and saltier taste. While it lacks the depth of flavor of black soy sauce, it can still provide a similar salty element to your dishes.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of light soy sauce as a substitute for black soy sauce. Adjust the quantity based on your taste preferences and recipe requirements.

4 – Teriyaki Sauce

Another great and easy substitute for black soy sauce is teriyaki sauce.

Teriyaki sauce can be used in almost any dish that requires black soy sauce.

It’s made from a combination of mushrooms, soy sauce, mirin (rice cooking wine), sugar, and garlic.

These ingredients are then combined and simmered until it thickens.

The sauce may undergo further caramelization during this process.

As a result, the sauce is subtly sweet with garlic, ginger, and rice wine hints.

This sauce is very versatile and can be used during cooking or marinade.

Teriyaki sauce can be used for meats, vegetables, and seafood.

• Key Characteristics: Teriyaki sauce is a sweet, tangy, and savory sauce that shares some similarities with black soy sauce. While not identical, it can add a similar flavor profile to your dishes.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of teriyaki sauce as a substitute for black soy sauce. Adjust the quantity based on your taste preferences and recipe requirements.

5 – Oyster Sauce

Compared to black soy sauce, oyster sauce is rich in umami due to monosodium glutamate.

As a result, it’s very savory and can be used in various dishes.

When it comes to seafood, oyster sauce is one of the most popular ingredients.

It adds that extra flavor you need without being overwhelming or too salty.

You can use oyster sauce as a substitute if you need an umami-rich taste in your dish.

It’s also best to use this ingredient for stir fry dishes, noodles, fried rice, and vegetables.

This sauce is typically made from a combination of oyster extract, mushrooms, sugar, and soy sauce.

As a result, the taste is bold and rich while not being too overpowering or salty.

• Key Characteristics: Oyster sauce is a thick and rich sauce with a complex umami flavor. While it differs from black soy sauce, it can provide a similar depth of flavor and richness to your dishes.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of oyster sauce as a substitute for black soy sauce. Adjust the quantity based on your taste preferences and recipe requirements.

Conclusion

Black soy sauce is typically used in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cuisines.

However, there are many alternatives you can use to replace black soy sauce for your dishes.

These soy sauce substitutes provide a different flavor and can be used in various dishes.

In addition, just because you’re avoiding gluten or soy doesn’t mean that the dish needs to taste bland.

Many of these sauces add a unique twist to your favorite recipes.

If you have any other suggestions on replacing black soy sauce, feel free to let us know in the comments below.