Fish sauce gives Southeast Asian dishes their savory funk — a little goes a long way. Whether you ran out mid-recipe or need a dietary swap, here are the best substitutes for fish sauce, with exact amounts.
Use: 1 tbsp soy sauce + a squeeze of lime for 1 tbsp fish sauce
Mix into dressings and dipping sauces.
Vegan-friendly approximation.
Use: 1/2 tsp anchovy paste + 1 tbsp water for 1 tbsp fish sauce
Dissolve the paste well.
Same fermented-fish base.
The best all-round substitute is Soy sauce + lime: use 1 tbsp soy sauce + a squeeze of lime for 1 tbsp fish sauce. Mix into dressings and dipping sauces. Vegan-friendly approximation.
Yes. Use 1/2 tsp anchovy paste + 1 tbsp water for 1 tbsp fish sauce. Dissolve the paste well. Same fermented-fish base.
Vegan options: Soy sauce + lime.
Missing something else? Search all 48 ingredients in the substitute finder.