Worcestershire Sauce has been a classic favorite since 1837. It’s a savory, umami condiment in different kinds of cuisines. Whether you’re adding it to gravy or you’re planning on making Bloody Mary cocktails, this fermented liquid adds flavor when you cook!
But, is Worcestershire sauce vegan? Let's find out.
Worcestershire Sauce - Vegan or Not?
Worcestershire Sauce isn’t traditionally vegan because its ingredients include anchovies, a type of fish. Some contain tamarind paste as well that contains fish.
However, this is only the case for the famous Worcestershire Sauce made by Lea & Perrins.
The good news is that there is plenty of vegan Worcestershire sauce in the market. In fact, you can even make your own homemade vegan Worcestershire sauce to jazz things up when you cook!
What are the Prime Ingredients?
Here are the three main ingredients of Worcestershire Sauce:
Anchovies
Anchovies are present in the most popular Worcestershire Sauce brand because it’s responsible for its umami flavor. It’s also present in fish sauce. Worcestershire Sauce gets its intense taste from anchovies as they have been left for 18 months to ferment in vinegar.
It’s the number one ingredient to avoid. If you’re looking for a vegan-friendly sauce, you may purchase Annie's Vegan Worcestershire Sauce.
Red Onions
Red onion has purplish-red skin and white flesh with a touch of red. These are used in culinary arts, dishes, and sauces. The skin can be used as a dye. You can consume a red onion raw, grilled, or cooked with other ingredients. You can find red them throughout the year and these are rich in flavonoids.
Garlic
It’s a pungent-tasting bulb, and it’s utilized as a natural flavoring in cooking and in herbal medicine. What’s more, it is another essential ingredient that’s responsible for the uniquely delicious flavor of the Worcestershire sauce.
What Makes It Non-Vegan?
While it’s true that most Worcestershire Sauce ingredients are vegan, certain ingredients are in the grey area.
Food like bread, beer, or noodles can be vegan or non-vegan, depending on how they have been made. For example, cane sugar isn’t vegan-friendly because of how it’s filtered with bone char.
Lea & Perrins’ Sauce isn’t vegan because it contains fish in its ingredients, and some brands use vinegar Molasses, similar to what you can find in fish sauce. However, you can buy a vegan Worcestershire Sauce in the market.
“People who love to eat are always the best people.” - Julia Child, Author
Vegan Alternatives to Worcestershire Sauce?
Soy Sauce
You can swap your Worcestershire Sauce with soy sauce. For one tablespoon of Worcestershire, you can use it in a recipe.
While it’s true that it doesn’t have the same tartness and spice as Worcestershire, it does have plenty of umami and sweetness to balance the flavor.
It is the ideal substitute for all recipes that requires Worcestershire because it has a similar consistency and can dissolve.
Vegan Alternatives to Worcestershire Sauce?
It’s a British condiment that’s polarizing, extra-salty, and slightly bitter.
Marmite is made of yeast extract and highly-concentrated vegetable and spice extracts.
Marmite is one of the reasons why it is umami-rich and delicious, when it is mixed with lemon juice/soy sauce, and hot water, it makes an ideal stand-in for Worcestershire.
It’s ideal for cooked food of different kinds.
However, it has a strong flavor, so you may want to leave it out when making sauces and drinks.
Tamari
Tamari is a rich, naturally fermented soybean sauce and a bottle contains only a little wheat, and it’s thicker than soy sauce. It’s from Japan, and it has a richer, more mellow flavor, making it a good dipping option.
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Coconut Aminos
Coconut aminos are made from coconut palms. (1) It’s similar to soy sauce, and it’s a preferred option than soy sauce because it has less sodium, meaning it’s healthier. Vegans who are in search of an alternative to Worcestershire Sauce find this great for marinades and seasoning.
Miso Paste
Miso Paste isn't like Worcestershire Sauce, but it does have a similar, earthy, and savory flavor. I don’t recommend Miso Paste as an alternative as there are better options above, but it's a vegan-friendly alternative if left with no other choice.
Vegan Worcestershire Sauce Brands
Annie’s Natural Worcestershire Sauce
Annie’s Vegan Worcestershire Sauce is one of the best substitutes for Worcestershire Sauce by Lea & Perrin. It is a fish-free Worcestershire sauce, meaning you can dash it in a Bloody Mary.
It does not contain anchovies, and it adds flavor and zest to plenty of your vegan-friendly dish.
You can add a dash of tomato juice for a more refreshing taste as well! Although it’s pricier than usual, it's worth the investment.
The Wizard’s Organic Worcestershire Sauce
Similar to Annie’s Natural, The Wizard’s Organic Worcestershire Sauce has no fish. The manufacturer uses organic spices and seasonings in their recipes.
It’s a blend of tamarind and soy that enhances all your favorite foods and dishes. Wizard uses whole organic spices and seasonings to make a gluten-free sauce.
Let’s Make Our Own Vegan Worcestershire Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Directions
- Put the apple cider vinegar, pepper, and other ingredients in a pot
- Put the heat on low
- Bring it to a boil, and lower the heat to make it simmer
- After waiting for it to simmer, remove the heat
- After you remove the heat, wait for it to cool
- Put the condiment in the jar for 30 days to 60 days
FAQs
No, Heinz Worcestershire isn’t vegan because it contains fish and other sea creatures. You can search up vegan recipes online as an alternative option to your vegan journey.
No, Lea & Perrins isn’t vegan because it contains anchovies.
So, Is Worcestershire Sauce Vegan?
No, Worcestershire sauce isn't vegan-friendly. However, it can be vegan. Most of the sauces you find in the local store aren't vegan, though.
Vegans either buy it in an online store, or you can make a homemade Worcestershire sauce yourself. You’re just going to need apple cider vinegar, sea salt, malt vinegar, pepper, and other ingredients to make it friendly for vegans!
References:
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-aminos
About Author
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
Did you make this recipe? Leave a reply below!