How Much Fish Sauce to Substitute for Soy Sauce
Works for sauteing, slow cook, and raw cold. Fish Sauce brings a noticeably different flavor than Soy Sauce.
How much fish sauce equals one tablespoon soy sauce?
Use 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce per tablespoon soy sauce.
Health notes
Compared with Soy Sauce, Fish Sauce has: less calories (35 vs 90 per 100g in Soy Sauce), less protein (5.1g vs 8.2g per 100g in Soy Sauce), and less carbs (3.6g vs 14.4g per 100g in Soy Sauce).
Using fish sauce as a soy sauce substitute in pan-frying
Use 1/2 teaspoon per tablespoon soy sauce. Add near the end to preserve pungency. Stir well to distribute.
Other cooking methods
- Slow Cook
1/2 teaspoon per tablespoon soy sauce. Add in the last 30 minutes to keep umami sharp.
- Raw Cold
1/2 teaspoon per tablespoon soy sauce. Works well in dressings, dips, and cold noodles.
- Drinks
1/4 teaspoon per tablespoon soy sauce. Use in savory cocktails and broths; start low.
Methods to avoid (4)
- Baking
Not recommended: fish sauce is a liquid seasoning, not a baking ingredient.
- Frying
Not recommended: fish sauce breaks down under high heat and becomes acrid.
- Grilling
Not recommended: fish sauce evaporates and burns over direct heat.
- Steaming
Not recommended: fish sauce won't penetrate food in steam and smells overpowering.
FAQ
- How much fish sauce equals one tablespoon soy sauce?
1/2 teaspoon. For a typical recipe:
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce → 0.5 teaspoon
- 2 tablespoon soy sauces → 1 teaspoon
- 3 tablespoon soy sauces → 1.5 teaspoon
- Can I substitute fish sauce for Soy Sauce in pan-frying?
Yes. Use 1/2 teaspoon per tablespoon soy sauce. Add near the end to preserve pungency. Stir well to distribute. Not recommended: fish sauce is a liquid seasoning, not a baking ingredient.
- How much fish sauce to use as a soy sauce substitute?
Fishier and more pungent; add lime juice or vinegar to soften the funk.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Fish Sauce for Soy Sauce?
Fish sauce brings a noticeably different flavor than soy sauce.
- How does texture change when substituting Fish Sauce for Soy Sauce?
Fish sauce no texture change. Remains liquid; integrates into sauces and braises without thickening.
- What else should I know about substituting Fish Sauce for Soy Sauce?
For stir-fries, braises, and dressings. Expect sharper, more pungent umami with a fishier edge. Skip baking, frying, and grilling - fish sauce turns acrid under high heat. Add lime juice or vinegar to round out the funk. Fish sauce is saltier, so taste before adding more salt.
- What still works when substituting Fish Sauce for Soy Sauce?
Fish sauce still works as a flavor carrier, umami, preservative, and acid.
- What won't work when substituting Fish Sauce for Soy Sauce?
Fish sauce won't work as a salt.
- How well does Fish Sauce match Soy Sauce?
Fish sauce is good on structure, stretch on heat, and stretch on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Fish Sauce for Soy Sauce?
Fish sauce has about x3 fewer calories, x31 fewer fat, x7 fewer sat. fat, and x2 fewer protein.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Fish Sauce for Soy Sauce?
The flavor shifts toward less sweet, more pungent, and more umami notes.