Vegan Fish Sauce Recipe Made Easy and Delicious

For many who embrace plant-based diets, finding vegan substitutes for beloved traditional ingredients can be a delightful culinary adventure. Fish sauce, a cornerstone in Southeast Asian cooking, is known for its deep umami flavor that elevates dishes from stir-fries to dipping sauces.

However, conventional fish sauce is made from fermented fish, making it unsuitable for vegans and vegetarians. Thankfully, creating a vegan fish sauce at home is surprisingly simple, affordable, and yields a rich, savory flavor that closely mimics the original.

This recipe uses pantry staples like dried shiitake mushrooms, seaweed, and soy sauce to capture that signature oceanic tang without any animal products. Not only is it a great way to add complexity to your dishes, but it’s also free from preservatives and additives often found in store-bought versions.

Whether you’re cooking up a spicy Thai green curry or a tangy Vietnamese pho broth, this vegan fish sauce will become your go-to secret ingredient for authentic flavor.

Ready to dive into making your own? Let’s explore why this recipe will quickly become a kitchen staple.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vegan fish sauce recipe is a game-changer for plant-based cooks who crave the bold, savory notes of traditional fish sauce without compromising their dietary choices. Here’s why you’ll love it:

• Authentic Umami Flavor: Using a blend of dried shiitake mushrooms and seaweed replicates the salty, briny taste that fish sauce imparts.
• Simple & Affordable: Most ingredients are pantry staples or easy to find at any grocery or Asian market.
• Customizable: You can adjust the saltiness, sweetness, and depth of flavor to suit your recipes.
• Versatile: Perfect for stir-fries, marinades, soups, and dipping sauces.
• Preservative-Free: Made fresh, you know exactly what’s going into your sauce.

Plus, this recipe is a fantastic way to reduce food waste by using dried ingredients that last a long time. If you enjoy this, consider exploring more plant-based flavor enhancers like those in our Asian Vegan Recipes for Delicious and Healthy Meals for inspiration.

Ingredients

Equipment

• Medium saucepan – for simmering ingredients
• Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth – to strain the sauce
• Measuring cups and spoons – for accurate quantities
• Glass jar or bottle – to store the finished sauce
• Knife and chopping board – for mincing garlic and shallots
• Stirring spoon – to mix ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the dried ingredients: Rinse the dried shiitake mushrooms and seaweed under cold water to remove any grit. Soak the mushrooms in 1 cup of warm water for 20 minutes to soften.
2. Simmer the base: In a medium saucepan, combine the soaked mushrooms (along with their soaking water), the rinsed seaweed, and 1 cup of fresh water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
3. Add aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and shallots. Let the mixture simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the liquid to reduce slightly.
4. Strain the liquid: Remove the saucepan from heat. Using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, strain the mixture into a clean bowl or container, pressing gently to extract all the flavorful liquid. Discard the solids.
5. Season the sauce: Stir in the soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed; add more sugar if you prefer a sweeter sauce or more soy sauce for saltiness.
6. Cool and store: Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature before transferring it to a glass jar or bottle. Refrigerate and use within 2 weeks for best flavor.

Tips & Variations

“Experiment with different seaweeds like dulse or nori to vary the flavor profile.”

Use low-sodium soy sauce if you want more control over salt content. You can also substitute tamari for a gluten-free option.

If you want a smokier flavor, try adding a few drops of liquid smoke or a small piece of smoked seaweed during simmering.

For a thicker sauce, simmer a little longer to reduce the liquid further, or blend in a teaspoon of miso paste at the end for an extra umami boost.

To make this recipe soy-free, substitute soy sauce with coconut aminos, though the flavor will be milder.

Interested in more vegan sauces? Don’t miss our Vegan Bechamel Sauce Recipe for Creamy Pasta Dishes to expand your culinary repertoire.

Nutrition Facts

This vegan fish sauce is low in calories and fat but does contain sodium due to the soy sauce base, so use it thoughtfully in your recipes.

Serving Suggestions

This vegan fish sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used wherever traditional fish sauce is called for. Try these serving ideas:

• As a seasoning in Asian-inspired stir-fries with tofu and vegetables.
• Mixed into dipping sauces for fresh spring rolls or dumplings.
• In noodle soups like vegan pho or ramen to add depth.
• As a marinade base for grilled vegetables or tempeh.
• Stirred into spicy salads like papaya salad for authentic flavor.

Pair it with dishes from our Vegetarian Tex Mex Recipes for Easy Weeknight Dinners to add a unique twist or incorporate it in broths for rich flavor in your vegan soups like Low Calorie Vegetable Soup Recipe for Healthy Eating.

Conclusion

Making your own vegan fish sauce at home is a rewarding way to add authentic, complex flavor to your plant-based cooking without compromising your values. This recipe is not only straightforward but also highly adaptable, allowing you to tailor the taste to perfectly complement your favorite dishes.

Its umami richness and salty tang make it a pantry essential for elevating soups, marinades, sauces, and dips.

By crafting this sauce yourself, you avoid the preservatives and additives found in many commercial products, ensuring a fresher, cleaner taste. Plus, it’s a cost-effective alternative that can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks, always ready to enhance your meals.

Whether you’re a seasoned vegan cook or just beginning to explore plant-based flavors, this recipe is a must-try. For more delicious vegan ideas, check out our Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves and Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious to round out your culinary adventures.

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