Vegetarian Fish Sauce for Asian Cooking
Elevate your Asian-inspired dishes with this flavorful and umami-packed Vegetarian Fish Sauce! Perfect for plant-based cooking, this recipe combines the deep, savory notes of dried shiitake mushrooms and kombu with the rich saltiness of soy sauce and a hint of sweetness from brown sugar. A touch of garlic and a splash of rice vinegar add depth and brightness to this all-purpose sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an essential condiment for stir-fries, soups, marinades, and dipping sauces. Ideal for vegans, vegetarians, and those seeking a gluten-free alternative (when tamari is used), this versatile homemade sauce is the perfect substitute for traditional fish sauce in all your favorite recipes. Store it in the refrigerator and enjoy a burst of umami any time!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 pieces Dried shiitake mushrooms
- 1 sheet Kombu (dried kelp)
- 1 cup Soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 cups Water
- 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar
- 2 cloves Garlic cloves, crushed
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine the dried shiitake mushrooms, kombu, water, soy sauce, and crushed garlic.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Add the brown sugar and stir until it dissolves completely.
Let the mixture simmer for 20 minutes to extract the flavors, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool slightly.
Take out the kombu and mushrooms and strain the liquid using a fine-mesh strainer to remove any solids.
Stir in the rice vinegar for a subtle tangy kick.
Transfer the vegetarian fish sauce to a clean glass jar or bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Shake well before using and substitute it 1:1 in recipes that call for traditional fish sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
476 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 1.3 g | 2% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.6 g | 3% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 13281 mg | 577% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 99.8 g | 36% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.2 g | 65% | |
| Total Sugars | 20.5 g | ||
| Protein | 35.9 g | 72% | |
| Vitamin D | 23.1 mcg | 116% | |
| Calcium | 82 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 5.0 mg | 28% | |
| Potassium | 2291 mg | 49% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
