Dark Soy Sauce Substitute for Recipes
No need to panic when the light soy sauce is used up! These substitutes will still make your dishes delicious, not only saving money but also enhancing the flavor, and your family will say it tastes better than before!
What can I use instead of dark soya sauce?
If you don’t have dark soy sauce, you can try these substitutes:
Soy sauce with sugar: This is the simplest replacement. Use regular soy sauce with a little sugar to achieve the salty-sweet effect of dark soy sauce. The approximate ratio is 1:1 of soy sauce and sugar, with a little more sugar, and the exact amount can be adjusted based on your preferred sweetness.
Light soy sauce and old soy sauce: If you have both light soy sauce and old soy sauce, mixing them together works similarly. Light soy sauce provides saltiness, while old soy sauce adds color and some sweetness. The ratio is about 2:1, meaning 2 parts light soy sauce and 1 part old soy sauce. You can adjust it slightly based on your taste.
Fish sauce with sugar: This method is a bit special. Fish sauce itself has a strong flavor, so you can use 1-2 teaspoons of fish sauce with 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. This brings a certain saltiness and sweetness, although it’s not exactly the same, it can create a different flavor.
Oyster sauce: Oyster sauce is a good substitute; its flavor is stronger, suitable for those who like a more intense taste. You can use oyster sauce to directly replace dark soy sauce, at a ratio of about 1:1. If the flavor of the oyster sauce is too strong, you can add some water to adjust.
Can balsamic vinegar replace dark soy sauce?
The taste difference between balsamic vinegar and dark soy sauce is quite large, so balsamic vinegar cannot replace dark soy sauce. Dark soy sauce is a salty sauce with a sweet taste, while balsamic vinegar is mainly sour. So if you directly use balsamic vinegar to replace dark soy sauce, the flavor will change significantly.
However, if you just want to replace the slight acidity and dark color of dark soy sauce, you can try adding a little sugar and soy sauce to the balsamic vinegar. This can mimic the sweet and salty taste of dark soy sauce. For example, you can mix balsamic vinegar with a little light soy sauce and sugar to try it.
What are some vegan alternatives to dark soy sauce?
If you are looking for vegan versions of dark soy sauce substitutes, you can try the following:
Light soy sauce with sugar: This is the simplest method. Light soy sauce provides saltiness, and sugar adds a bit of sweetness. The ratio is about 1:1, with a little more sugar depending on your preferred sweetness.
Mushroom soy sauce: This soy sauce is made with mushrooms and has a strong flavor. It’s a great choice for vegans because it has a dark color and savory taste similar to dark soy sauce. You can directly replace it at a 1:1 ratio.
Coconut aminos: This one is a bit special. It’s slightly sweeter and less salty, but it’s completely vegan-friendly. You can use it directly at a 1:1 ratio.
Doubanjiang (fermented bean paste): This sauce is spicier than dark soy sauce, but it can still provide a deep color and salty flavor. If you don’t mind a little spiciness, you can try it, usually using about half the amount of dark soy sauce.
Is dark soy sauce kecap manis?
Dark soy sauce and kecap manis both have sweetness, but they are different.
Dark soy sauce refers to a type of soy sauce with a darker color, primarily salty, and is usually used to add color and umami to dishes. Its sweetness is not very prominent and mostly comes from the natural flavors developed during long fermentation.
Kecap manis, as the name suggests, is primarily sweet. It typically contains more sugar or other sweeteners, making it suitable for dishes that require a stronger sweetness, such as barbecue or sauces.
So, while dark soy sauce has a slight sweetness, its saltiness is stronger, whereas kecap manis focuses more on sweetness. The two have different uses and flavors!
How to use Chinese dark soy sauce?
Coloring: When making red-braised dishes (such as red-braised pork or red-braised fish), dark soy sauce can be used to color the dish, making it look more appealing.
Flavoring: Adding a little dark soy sauce while stir-frying can enhance the umami, such as in stir-fried vegetables or stir-fried noodles.
Making sauce: Dark soy sauce can be mixed with sugar, cooking wine, and light soy sauce to create a sauce, perfect for brushing on meat or using in braised dishes.
Marinating: It can also be used as a marinade for meat, helping to enhance the flavor and add shine.
What's the difference between dark soy sauce and soy sauce?
Color: Dark soy sauce has a deeper color than regular soy sauce, appearing deep red or dark brown, and can make dishes look more glossy, especially suitable for red-braising and braising dishes.
Taste: Dark soy sauce has a stronger sweetness and saltiness, while regular soy sauce is primarily salty and has a relatively mild flavor.
Usage: Dark soy sauce is commonly used in braised dishes, red-braised dishes, and other dishes that require slow cooking and coloring, while regular soy sauce is more suitable for stir-frying, cold dishes, and dipping sauces in quick cooking.
