Vegan Oyster Sauce
Curious about vegan oyster sauce? Is it actually a thing? This rich and savory condiment brings the essence of traditional oyster sauce to the table without the need for any seafood. Also labeled as ‘vegetarian,’ this plant-based oyster sauce adds a unique umami goodness to stir-fries, noodles, and other dishes.
Incredibly versatile and delicious, vegan or ‘vegetarian’ oyster sauce is usually made from mushrooms and offers a savory kick to many different meals. It’s also an exciting addition to any vegetarian or vegan pantry when you’re getting bored of the usual sauces or dressings.
Keep reading to discover the various vegan and vegetarian oyster options on the market today, both in stores and online. Find out the best brands and how to make the most of this savory substitute in your favorite recipes.
Are you ready to transform your meals with the delectable flavors of vegetarian oyster sauce? Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
What is Oyster Sauce?
Oyster sauce is a savory condiment made from oysters, soy sauce, and other seasonings. It adds a rich, umami flavor to dishes and is commonly used in Asian cuisine.
Is Oyster Sauce Vegan?
No, oyster sauce is not vegan. It is made from oysters (extracts or juices), which are shellfish, and is a seafood-based condiment commonly used in Asian cooking. Vegan alternatives such as mushroom-based or soy-based sauces can be used as substitutes for oyster sauce in recipes.
Oyster Sauce Ingredients to Avoid
Since some oyster sauce brands do not specifically label their sauces ‘vegan’ or ‘vegetarian’, it helps to look at the ingredients yourself. If you see any of the ingredients below, give a hard pass to the brand and keep searching.
- Fish Sauce
- Oyster Juice or Extracts
- Seafood-based ingredients
Best Vegan Oyster Sauce Brands
You’re in luck! These flavorful plant-based alternatives bring the rich taste of traditional oyster sauce to your dishes without any animal-products. Here is a list of the top-notch sauce options on the market today:
24 Vegan
A tasty plant-based alternative for flavor-packed dishes. No animals, just deliciousness in every drop! 24 Vegan vegetarian/vegan oyster sauce is gluten-free, GMO-free, woman-owned, and mushroom-based.
K’s Kitchen
A delicious plant-based option to enhance your meals. Enjoy the savory goodness without any animal ingredients! Made in India using a base of mushroom powder.
Kikkoman
Unleash a burst of savory goodness with this plant-based delight that mirrors the rich taste of traditional oyster sauce. Perfect for elevating your vegetarian and vegan dishes, Kikkoman’s version brings a delectable umami kick to your culinary creations.
Lee Kum Kee
A flavorful plant-based choice for tasty, cruelty-free cooking. Elevate your dishes with this luscious, animal-friendly alternative! Gluten-free, GMO-free soybeans, no chemical preservatives or artificial flavors added.
Lucky Foods
A scrumptious plant-based sauce to add savory goodness to your recipes. Enjoy the rich flavor of Lucky Foods’ mushroom-based oyster sauce, making every dish a cruelty-free delight! Organic and gluten-free.
Wan Ja Shan
This mushroom-based condiment has a bold and authentic taste, meticulously crafted for a perfect balance of sweetness and umami. The rich flavors of Wan Ja Shan’s oyster sauce adds a touch of excellence to any vegan dish.
Additional Brands Include:
Vegan Oyster Sauce Substitutes
Several vegan alternatives can replace oyster sauce in recipes to achieve a similar umami flavor. Keep an eye out for sauces labeled as “vegetarian” since many vegetarian or mushroom-based oyster sauces are specifically designed without any seafood ingredients. Some common substitutions for oyster sauce include:
- Black Bean – This dark sauce is a flavorful and savory condiment made from fermented black soybeans, commonly used in Asian cuisine.
- Eel – Vegan eel sauce has a somewhat different flavor than oyster sauce but would be a worthy substitute in any Asian-inspired dish.
- Hoisin Sauce – Though slightly sweeter, hoisin sauce can be a good replacement, offering a combination of sweet and savory notes.
- Mushroom Sauce – Made from mushrooms, this sauce provides a rich, savory flavor similar to oyster sauce.
- Soy Sauce – A classic and widely available option, soy sauce adds saltiness and depth to dishes.
- Tamari – Similar to soy sauce but often considered richer and less salty, tamari is a gluten-free alternative that works well in many recipes.
- Teriyaki – A sweet and savory Japanese glaze made with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, commonly used to flavor grilled or stir-fried dishes.
Note: Always check ingredient labels, as some commercial vegetarian or vegan oyster sauce products might still contain animal-derived ingredients.
Vegan oyster sauce is the plant-powered hero your recipes didn’t know they needed! Say goodbye to seafood, hello to tasty vibes—because flavorful sauces are always better when they’re kind to animals and awesome for your taste buds. Yum!
Vegetarian Oyster Sauce FAQs
Yes! Luckily, there are several vegan versions of oyster sauce available to consumers. These alternatives have labels such as “vegetarian oyster sauce” or “mushroom-flavored sauce.” Instead of using oyster extract, they are crafted from plant-based ingredients like mushrooms, soy sauce, and various seasonings to mimic the savory and umami-rich taste of traditional oyster sauce.
Vegetarian oyster sauce is a usually blend of mushrooms, soy sauce, and other plant-based ingredients. The aim is to replicate the savory and umami-rich flavor of traditional oyster sauce without using any seafood or animal-derived components. Other common ingredients in vegetarian oyster sauce may include water, sugar, salt, and various seasonings to enhance the overall taste profile.
Lee Kum Kee Oyster Flavored Sauce is not vegan because it contains oyster extract, which is derived from oysters. Oyster extract is an animal product, and therefore, the sauce is not suitable for a vegan diet. But, Lee Kum Kee’s Vegan Oyster Sauce is vegan.
Quick & Easy Vegan Recipe for Oyster Sauce
Create your own homemade vegan oyster sauce by combining ingredients like dried shiitake mushroom powder, soy sauce, garlic, and other seasonings. This recipe is straightforward and simply delicious! Perfect to use on vegetable stir-fries, tofu, and noodle dishes.
Vegan Oyster Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch, or arrowroot powder
- ¾ cup hot water
- 2 teaspoons dried shiitake mushroom powder
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, or to taste
Instructions
- Mix half of the water to the cornstarch in a small bowl. Whisk well. Set aside.
- In a small pan, add the maple syrup and mushroom powder. Mix together well.
- Then, add the remaining water and soy sauce to the maple syrup and mushroom blend. Stir. Bring to a simmer over medium high heat.
- Once the mixture is simmering, add the cornstarch and water mixture and stir frequently until the sauce is thick and rich. This should only take a minute or two.
- Take the pan off of the heat and allow to cool before storing in a glass jar with lid. This sauce should stay fresh for 7-10 days in the fridge.
Notes
- Swap the Sweeteners – Maple syrup gives this recipe a darker color and more depth of flavor. But, if you’ve run out of maple syrup, feel free to use around ¾ cup of cane sugar or ½ cup of packed brown sugar instead.
- Make Your Own Shiitake Mushroom Powder – If you’d rather use dried mushrooms for this recipe, choose about 1½ cups and place in small batches into a spice grinder or mini high-speed blender. Use 2 tsp of the powder in this recipe. Store the rest in a cool, dry place or freeze until needed.
- Too Thin or Too Thick? – If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water to thin it out. If the consistency is too thin, add another ½ tsp of cornstarch and bring to a simmer before letting it cool.
Nutrition
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I had the pleasure of trying your vegan oyster sauce recipe, and it’s truly a game-changer in plant-based cooking! The depth of flavor you’ve achieved without any animal products is remarkable. It’s the perfect blend of savory and sweet, and it elevates any dish it’s added to. I’m especially impressed with how versatile this sauce is, making it a staple in my kitchen. Thank you for sharing such an innovative and delicious recipe!
I’ve wanted a good veggie substitue for oyster sauce for ages, so this is fantastic, thank you
This is so helpful! I’ve been looking for vegan oyster sauce for a while. I’m excited to try it!
Love to make this homemade vegan version!!
I used to use oyster sauce in many Asian recipes when I was younger, but I never found a good substitute. Making your own vegan oyster sauce is so much easier than I imagined and the flavor is fantastic. Hope you’ll love this recipe, too!
Super helpful to know! I’m excited to use this sauce on veggies to make them taste yummier.
Love making stir fry vegetables w this savory sauce.
so yummy in stir fry!