This vegan fish sauce recipe is the perfect substitute for regular fish sauce, and you’ll learn how easy it is to make. Use this homemade fish sauce alternative in Asian recipes such as pad thai, Vietnamese pho noodle soup, or simply in any recipe to add umami and flavor. Totally dairy-free and gluten-free too.
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Jump to:
- What is Fish Sauce?
- A Homemade Vegan Fish Sauce Substitute
- Why This Recipe Works:
- Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- How to Make Vegan Fish Sauce Alternative (Step by Step):
- Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Recipe FAQs:
- Other Gluten-Free Sauces and Dips:
- Asian Dishes You’ll Enjoy
- Vegan Fish Sauce Recipe (Gluten-Free)
What is Fish Sauce?
Made from fermenting salt-coated fish or krill for long periods up to two years, regular fish sauce has a deliciously savory fishy flavor, making it a perfect secret ingredient for adding the much sought-after umami flavor to many dishes.
It can be used as a seasoning both during and after cooking, creating a dish with a more complex flavor profile.
Fish sauce is a popular Asian condiment in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines. Let’s just say that it’s a common ingredient that can’t be missing from Asian kitchens.
Some very popular Asian dishes that use fish sauce and that you might have eaten before include pad thai and Vietnamese pho noodle soup. It is also used often in recipes for marinades, or dipping sauce for spring rolls.
A Homemade Vegan Fish Sauce Substitute
The only issue with traditional fish sauce is that those on a vegan diet or those with allergies to fish or seafood are not able to take it.
Since the umami flavor (which refers to savoriness, one of the five categories of taste) of typical fish sauce makes food taste so much better, we wanted to share a recipe for a vegan version of fish sauce that imparts plenty of savory flavor that makes you go… Yummm, before getting a second helping.
Why This Recipe Works:
- Few Ingredients Needed: This recipe for a vegan alternative to fish sauce uses just 6 key ingredients (including water) – all of which can be easily found in the Asian food section of the local grocery store, or any Asian supermarket.
- Easy to Make: All you need to do is combine the ingredients and bring them to a boil before simmering over low heat, and then strain! Super easy and not complicated at all.
- Incredibly Flavorful: Thanks to the shiitake mushrooms, miso and seaweed, all of which impart plenty of taste, this vegetarian fish sauce is filled with savory umami flavor. Add it to your recipes for an umami punch and depth of flavor!
- Totally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Vegan: The best part is that this vegan fish sauce substitute is 100% gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan. This means that even those with Celiac disease, or those with gluten or lactose intolerances, or those simply on a vegetarian or vegan diet, can still have their umami cravings satisfied!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this vegan fish sauce recipe.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- Shiitake Mushrooms: I used fresh shitake mushrooms, but if you don’t have access to fresh mushrooms, you may also use dried shiitake mushrooms or other dried mushrooms for a deeper flavor.
- Tamari Sauce: I used tamari sauce (which is gluten-free soy sauce) to keep this recipe gluten-free. If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, feel free to use normal soy sauce instead. Alternatively, if you are allergic to soy, you can also use coconut aminos instead.
- Seaweed: I used wakame seaweed, but you can also use kombu seaweed or another type of seaweed if that’s what you have.
- Chickpea Miso: I used chickpea miso, but you can also use white miso, red miso or yellow miso if you prefer.
- Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic cloves add a beautiful flavor to this vegan fish sauce recipe, so make sure you add them in!
- Water: I recommend using filtered water for this recipe.
How to Make Vegan Fish Sauce Alternative (Step by Step):
1. Slice Mushrooms
Slice the fresh shiitake mushrooms thinly.
2. Combine Ingredients
In a medium saucepan, combine the sliced shiitake mushrooms, wakame seaweed, garlic cloves, tamari sauce, chickpea miso paste, and filtered water.
3. Bring to a Boil, Then Simmer
Bring the ingredients to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low, letting the sauce simmer for 30 minutes, so as to extract the flavors from the ingredients. The liquid should have reduced to about half the original amount.
4. Let Cool
Once the simmering is done, let the liquid cool down to room temperature.
5. Strain Sauce
Once the liquid is cooled, strain the homemade vegan fish sauce to remove all the solid ingredients (seaweed, mushrooms, garlic cloves).
6. Transfer to Jar
Pour the strained vegan fish sauce into a mason jar or glass jar.
Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Storing: You can store this homemade vegan fish sauce in a mason jar or sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Remember to shake it well before use.
- Let Steep for Stronger Flavor: If you have time once the simmering is done, let the ingredients steep overnight or for up to 24 hours to extract the extra flavor.
Recipe FAQs:
Traditional fish sauce is usually made of a mixture of fish and salt, and should naturally be gluten-free. However, if you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure to check the brand of store-bought fish sauce as some brands may add gluten-container ingredients, or prepare the sauce in a facility that also processes other foods containing gluten.
P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!
PrintVegan Fish Sauce Recipe (Gluten-Free)
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 1 16 oz. jar 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This vegan fish sauce recipe is the perfect substitute for regular fish sauce, and you’ll learn how easy it is to make. Use this homemade fish sauce alternative in Asian recipes such as pad thai, pho noodle soup, or simply in any recipe to add umami and flavor. Totally dairy-free and gluten-free too.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced thinly
- 1/4 cup gluten-free tamari sauce
- 1 cup wakame seaweed
- 1 1/4 teaspoon chickpea miso
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled
- 4 cups filtered water
Instructions
- Slice Mushrooms: Slice the shiitake mushrooms thinly.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the sliced shiitake mushrooms, wakame seaweed, garlic cloves, tamari sauce, chickpea miso paste, and filtered water.
- Bring to a Boil then Simmer: Bring the ingredients to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low, letting the sauce simmer for 30 minutes, so as to extract the flavors from the ingredients.
- Let Cool: Once the simmering is done, let the liquid cool down to room temperature.
- Strain Sauce: Once the liquid is cooled, strain the homemade vegan fish sauce into a mason jar or glass jar.
Notes
Shiitake Mushrooms: I used fresh shiitake mushrooms, but if you don’t have access to fresh ones, you may also use dried shiitake mushrooms for a deeper flavor.
Tamari Sauce: I used tamari sauce (which is gluten-free soy sauce) to keep this recipe gluten-free. If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, feel free to use normal soy sauce instead. Alternatively, if you are allergic to soy, you can use coconut aminos instead.
Seaweed: I used wakame seaweed, but you can also use kombu seaweed if that’s what you have.
Chickpea Miso: I used chickpea miso, but you can also use normal miso if you prefer.
Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic cloves add a beautiful flavor to this vegan fish sauce recipe, so make sure you add them in!
Water: I recommend using filtered water for this recipe.
Storing: You can store this homemade vegan fish sauce in a mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Remember to shake it well before use.
Let Steep for Stronger Flavor: If you have time once the simmering is done, let the ingredients steep overnight or for up to 24 hours to extract the extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Sauces
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Grace Lim says
Hi Felicia,
This is a great recipe. Now I can have my own home-made fish sauce and do not have to buy fish sauce from the store anymore.
Thanks and have a blessed day ahead!
Love you,
Mum
Felicia Lim says
Yep! Homemade anything is the best!