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How to Make a Soy Sauce Alternative

Katie Wells Avatar

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Gluten and soy free soy sauce alternative recipes
Wellness Mama » Blog » Recipes » Condiment Recipes » How to Make a Soy Sauce Alternative

I absolutely love soy sauce… it has a delicious flavor and it is often used in stir frys and marinades. It is also a source of gluten and soy, so I’ve been experimenting with alternatives for years.

After much trial and error, and many dishes tasting like vinegar or the wrong blend of spices, I’ve finally settled on two soy sauce alternatives that I think are comparable or better than the “real” thing. I use these in stir frys, on sushi or in marinades, dressings, and soups.

How to Make a Soy Sauce Alternative

If you prefer a DIY option, this recipe is great. It combines the benefits of bone broth (use beef bones) with spices, molasses, and fish sauce for a healthier soy sauce alternative that tastes very similar.

This method is simple to make, but a little time intensive, so if you want an easier option, scroll down for a great store-bought alternative (that you can grab for free).

Gluten and soy free soy sauce alternative recipes

Homemade Soy Sauce Alternative Recipe

Homemade soy sauce with beef bone broth, vinegar, spices, and fish sauce is a very close tasting (and much healthier) alternative to store-bought soy sauce.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 9 minutes
Total Time 14 minutes
Calories 43kcal
Author Katie Wells

Servings

1 cup

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients except fish sauce in a small pan and bring to a simmer.
  • Simmer for 8-9 minutes or until reduced by about half.
  • Taste to make sure you’ve reached the desired flavor and saltiness. Add more salt if needed.
  • Remove from heat and add fish sauce.
  • Stir well and let cool.
  • Store in the refrigerator and use in place of soy sauce as desired.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Homemade Soy Sauce Alternative Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 TBSP)
Calories 43 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 10mg3%
Sodium 321mg14%
Carbohydrates 5.8g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1.6g2%
Protein 6g12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

Adjust the salt level to meet your preferences and dietary needs. 

Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!

Coconut Aminos Soy Sauce Alternative

If the DIY version isn’t your thing, there is another great alternative: Coconut aminos.

Coconut aminos are made from aged and sun dried organic coconut sap blended with sea salt. When the coconut tree is tapped it produces a highly nutrient-rich “sap” that exudes from the coconut blossoms. This sap is raw, very low glycemic, an abundant source of 17 amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and has a nearly neutral pH.

Our family has been using coconut aminos for years because of the amazing flavor. When I first discovered it, it was almost impossible to find and expensive. I had to order directly from the company or on Amazon and pay $8+ a bottle! Coconut aminos are now much more popular and available in many places, including at much cheaper prices online!

Do you like soy sauce as much as me? Ever tried a healthier alternative?

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

51 responses to “How to Make a Soy Sauce Alternative”

  1. Vinette Rathkamp Avatar
    Vinette Rathkamp

    5 stars
    Thank You, Thank You!! I also love soy sauce, but am sadly sensitive to coconut as well as soy. This recipe is so clever, and makes me so happy!

  2. Mare Avatar

    I was actually out of soy sauce the other day and wanted to make up some teriyaki sauce. I just happened to stumble upon this post shortly after you posted it. I had everything in the cupboard to make this, except the fish sauce, so I made it up, sans the fish sauce, and used it in my teriyaki sauce. It turned out just like it would have with the soy sauce. Thanks so much for sharing this.

  3. Linda Avatar

    You do not say how long the Homemade Soy Sauce Alternative will keep , please.

  4. Riri Avatar

    5 stars
    I am loving your recipes wellnessmama and thank u!
    I have made bone broth already and I am loving it yasssssss?
    Keep on doing what you are doing we appreciate you!

  5. Laurie V. Avatar

    is the fish sauce necessary ? Or is there a substitute for it …. fish allergies here.?

  6. Amber Avatar

    5 stars
    This is amazing!! I’m Asian so most of the food I grew up with contains soy sauce… And I love the flavour but soy doesn’t seem to play well with me. I feel lethargic and retain water like CRAZY! This post is going to be my life-saver.

  7. Anne Lapoint Avatar
    Anne Lapoint

    My husband cannot have sodium, even the low or less sodium. Very hard to cook Chinese dishes without soy sauce. Is there hope for me? Thank you.

  8. Bernadette Avatar
    Bernadette

    Hi. I have many food allergies and cannot do the above recipe nor any of the commercial products. I’d desperately love to make my own liquid aminos but I can’t find any instructions on how to do this. Can you help?
    Bernadette

  9. Caitlin Avatar

    Thanks for the recipe! I am also wondering how long this will keep in the fridge when using real beef broth? Thank you:)

  10. Sheila Mattingly Avatar
    Sheila Mattingly

    I buy Bragg’s Amino Lipids — yummy, healthy, and so much easier. Available on Amazon.

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