Oyster sauce is a popular ingredient in many Asian cuisines, adding a rich, savory umami flavor to dishes. However, traditional oyster sauce is made from oyster extracts and thus not suitable for vegetarians or vegans. Thankfully, there are a number of brands that make vegetarian and vegan friendly oyster sauces, usually derived from mushrooms or other umami-rich vegetables instead of oysters. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular vegetarian and vegan oyster sauce brands.
Lee Kum Kee Vegetarian Stir-Fry Sauce
One of the most well-known brands for Asian sauces and condiments, Lee Kum Kee offers a vegetarian stir-fry sauce that can be used in place of oyster sauce. Made from mushrooms and other umami-rich vegetables, this sauce adds the familiar rich, caramelized flavor of oyster sauce without using any animal products. It’s thicker and darker in color compared to traditional oyster sauce.
Here are some key details about Lee Kum Kee’s vegetarian stir-fry sauce:
- Made from shiitake mushrooms, straw mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and carrots
- Gluten-free, vegan, and kosher
- No MSG added
- Comes in a 17 oz squeeze bottle
This vegetarian oyster sauce substitute works well in stir-fries, with noodles, or as a marinade or dipping sauce. The mushrooms and umami flavor profile are similar to oyster sauce so the taste is comparable in many recipes. Just use the same amount as you would regular oyster sauce.
Vegan “Oyster” Sauce by Tofuna Fysh Sauce
From the brand Tofuna Fysh Sauce comes a product labeled directly as “Vegan Oyster Sauce.” As the name suggests, it’s specifically designed to mimic the taste and texture of traditional oyster sauce while being made completely vegan.
Here are the key details on Tofuna Fysh Sauce vegan oyster sauce:
- Main ingredients are mushroom, wheat, soybeans
- Thick, viscous texture like regular oyster sauce
- Comes in a 16 oz squeeze bottle
- Certified vegan
- No MSG
The sauce captures the rich umami flavor of oyster sauce very well. Reviewers say it has a similar saltiness and sweet caramel notes as the original. The mushroom and soybean base replicates the savoriness of oysters. Overall, it’s one of the closest tasting vegan oyster sauce substitutes available.
Vegetarian Oyster Sauce by Megachef
The Megachef brand offers a vegetarian oyster sauce alternative containing no animal products. It comes in a 17.6 oz bottle.
Here are the key details on the Megachef vegetarian oyster sauce:
- Made from mushrooms, wheat, soybeans and flaxseed
- Very thick, viscous consistency
- Dark brown color like regular oyster sauce
- Suitable for vegetarians and Buddhists
- No MSG added
This sauce replicates the texture and appearance of oyster sauce very closely. It can be used in a 1:1 ratio to substitute regular oyster sauce in any recipe. Reviewers say it has an umami richness and slight sweetness that comes very close to the real thing.
Vegan “Oyster” Sauce by Tinkalaya
Tinkalaya is a brand focused on gourmet vegan and vegetarian sauces and condiments. Their version of vegan oyster sauce aims to mimic the taste of oysters with an umami-packed blend of mushrooms and soy.
Here are some details on Tinkalaya’s vegan oyster sauce:
- Made from a blend of mushrooms, soybeans, wheat and rice
- Thick, glossy texture like standard oyster sauce
- Comes in a 9.9 oz bottle
- Certified vegan
- No added MSG
This vegan oyster sauce substitute is praised for capturing the savory umami taste and thick consistency of real oyster sauce very well. It can be seamlessly subbed into any recipe that calls for oyster sauce. The soybeans and mushrooms work together to recreate the rich, sweet yet salty flavors.
Healthy Boy Brand Vegan Mushroom Stir-Fry Sauce
Healthy Boy makes a stir-fry sauce that replicates the flavor of oyster sauce using mushrooms and other natural ingredients. It comes in a 16.9 oz squeeze bottle.
Here are some key details about Healthy Boy vegan mushroom stir-fry sauce:
- Main ingredients are straw mushrooms, wheat, soy, sesame oil
- Does not contain any oyster extract
- Suitable for vegans, vegetarians, and Buddhists
- Gluten-free
- No MSG
This vegan oyster sauce substitute has an umami-rich flavor from the mushrooms. Reviewers say it has a thick consistency and replicates the savory taste of oyster sauce very well. It can be used in any recipe that calls for oyster sauce.
Veri Veri Teriyaki Sauce and Marinade
Although not labeled specifically as an oyster sauce substitute, the Veri Veri teriyaki sauce and marinade has a similar flavor profile thanks to its blend of shiitake mushrooms, soy sauce, and brown sugar. It comes in a 11.6 oz squeeze bottle.
Here are some details on Veri Veri Teriyaki Sauce:
- Contains soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and shiitake mushrooms
- Thick, syrupy texture
- Can be used as a marinade, sauce, or oyster sauce substitute
- Certified vegan
- Gluten-free and kosher
The umami richness from the mushrooms and soy sauce makes this a good vegan replacement for oyster sauce in stir fries, noodle dishes, or other recipes. The texture and saltiness are also comparable.
The Vegetarian Mushroom Oyster Sauce by Tinkalaya
Tinkalaya is a brand that specializes in gourmet vegetarian and vegan Asian sauces. Their vegetarian mushroom oyster sauce provides the rich flavor of oyster sauce by using a blend of mushrooms instead.
Here are the key details on this vegetarian oyster sauce:
- Made from a proprietary blend of mushrooms
- Has a thick, viscous texture like standard oyster sauce
- Dark brown color
- 9.9 oz bottle
- Does not contain gluten, MSG, or preservatives
This mushroom oyster sauce has the same savory umami taste you expect from real oyster sauce. It also mimics the thick, glossy texture well. Reviewers say it provides a very close flavor match and makes a seamless substitute in any recipe.
Vegetarian “Oyster” Sauce by Golden Mark
Golden Mark is a Taiwanese brand producing gourmet vegetarian sauces and condiments. Their version of vegetarian oyster sauce replicates the taste and texture using an umami-rich blend of mushrooms.
Here are some key details about Golden Mark vegetarian oyster sauce:
- Main ingredients are mushrooms, water, soybeans
- Thick consistency and dark color like standard oyster sauce
- 17 oz bottle
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- No added MSG
Reviewers say this vegan oyster sauce has an uncanny resemblance to the original in both flavor and appearance. The soybean and mushroom extract offers the same rich, sweet yet salty taste. It can be used just like regular oyster sauce in Asian recipes.
Comparison of Vegetarian Oyster Sauce Brands
To summarize the key details of these top brands, here is a comparison table:
| Brand | Main Ingredients | Texture | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Kum Kee | Mushrooms, vegetables | Thick | 17 oz |
| Tofuna Fysh Sauce | Mushrooms, soybeans, wheat | Viscous | 16 oz |
| Megachef | Mushrooms, soybeans, wheat | Thick | 17.6 oz |
| Tinkalaya | Mushrooms, soybeans, wheat, rice | Glossy | 9.9 oz |
| Healthy Boy | Mushrooms, wheat, soy | Thick | 16.9 oz |
| Veri Veri | Shiitake mushrooms, soy sauce | Syrupy | 11.6 oz |
As you can see, mushrooms, soybeans, and wheat are common ingredients used to recreate the rich umami flavor of oysters in these vegetarian oyster sauce alternatives. They all aim to mimic the thick, glossy texture as well.
What to Look for in Vegetarian Oyster Sauce
When choosing a vegetarian oyster sauce, here are some helpful criteria to consider:
- Ingredients – Mushrooms, soybeans, wheat, and rice are typically used to provide savory umami flavor
- Texture – Look for a thick, viscous consistency similar to regular oyster sauce
- Flavor – It should have a rich, sweet yet salty taste with caramelized notes
- Color – Dark brown colors replicate the appearance of real oyster sauce
- Bottle design – Squeeze bottles allow controlled pouring like traditional oyster sauce
- Certifications – Check for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or other certifications if needed
The sauce should mimic the thickness and glossiness of oyster sauce while providing similar savory sweetness and umami richness. A squeeze bottle design is also useful for controlled saucing applications.
How to Use Vegetarian Oyster Sauce
These vegetarian oyster sauces can be used in place of regular oyster sauce in any recipe. Here are some tips for using vegan oyster sauce:
- Use the same amount called for in recipes – no conversion needed
- Add to stir-fries for flavor just like oyster sauce
- Use as a marinade or sauce for vegetables, tofu, etc.
- Mix with rice vinegar as a dipping sauce
- Include as a flavoring in noodle dishes or congee
- Add to ramen or pho broths for umami richness
- Use in place of oyster sauce in dumpling fillings
The vegetarian oyster sauce can be applied in all the same ways you would use the traditional version. Stir-fries, noodle dishes, marinades, broths, and dipping sauces are all great applications.
Recipes Using Vegetarian Oyster Sauce
To give you some inspiration, here are a few recipe ideas that incorporate vegan oyster sauce:
General Tso’s Tofu – Crispy tofu in a spicy, sweet sauce with vegetarian oyster sauce providing rich umami flavor.
Pad Thai – Rice noodles with tofu, bean sprouts and crunchy peanuts dressed in a tangy tamarind sauce with vegan oyster sauce.
Broccoli Beef – Tender vegetarian “beef” and broccoli florets in a flavorful brown sauce with vegan oyster sauce.
Vegetable Fried Rice – Fluffy rice tossed with carrots, green beans, mushrooms and vegetarian oyster sauce.
Hot and Sour Soup – A savory vegetable and tofu soup spiked with white pepper, vinegar and umami-rich vegan oyster sauce.
Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps – Sautéed mushrooms, water chestnuts and tofu wrapped up in lettuce leaves with hoisin and vegan oyster sauce.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless for integrating vegetarian oyster sauce into plant-based Asian recipes!
Common Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about vegetarian oyster sauces:
Is there a difference in taste compared to regular oyster sauce?
For most brands, the taste is quite close thanks to use of mushrooms, soy, wheat and other umami-rich ingredients. However, side-by-side some minor differences may be detectable.
Do you need to adjust cooking times or temperatures when using?
No, you can use vegetarian oyster sauces the exact same way you would use regular oyster sauce in recipes. No cooking adjustments are needed.
How long does opened vegetarian oyster sauce last in the fridge?
An opened bottle will stay fresh in the fridge for about 6 months. Some separation may occur – just stir before using.
Can vegetarian oyster sauce be frozen?
Yes, freezing is a great way to preserve an opened bottle for longer term storage. It can be frozen for up to a year with no loss of flavor.
What’s the difference between vegetarian oyster sauce and mushroom sauce?
Mushroom sauce tends to be thinner in texture and lighter in color. Vegetarian oyster sauce mimics the thick, glossy texture and dark color of the original in addition to the rich umami taste.
Conclusion
For vegetarians, vegans, or anyone avoiding seafood, these innovative vegetarian oyster sauce alternatives provide the same rich flavor and texture as the traditional version. Brands like Lee Kum Kee, Tofuna Fysh, Tinkalaya, Megachef, Healthy Boy and more are making great vegan oyster sauces using mushrooms, soybeans, wheat and other umami-packed ingredients. With a comparable taste, look and feel to regular oyster sauce, these products can be seamlessly subbed into Asian recipes of all kinds. Give one of these delicious vegetarian oyster sauces a try for plant-based cooking!