12 Anchovy Fillet Replacements That Add Saltiness

Anchovy fillet substitutes come to the rescue when this umami-packed ingredient isn't in your pantry.

Home cooks often find themselves seeking alternatives due to dietary restrictions, availability issues, or personal preferences.

The flavor-rich replacements can save a Caesar salad or pasta dish from bland disappointment while maintaining that distinctive salty kick.

Fish sauce serves as one popular stand-in since it delivers similar depth without requiring any chopping or mashing.

The culinary world offers numerous options that range from plant-based choices to other fermented products with comparable savory profiles.

Asian cuisine enthusiasts might recognize several substitutes that have been used traditionally for centuries in regional cooking.

Whether due to allergies or just an empty cupboard, these clever replacements ensure you can still create delicious meals without compromising on taste or texture - so let's dive into the best alternatives for your next recipe.

Best Alternatives for Anchovy

Anchovies being absent can be resolved right away by adding a replacement that blends into the recipe naturally. This keeps your work in the kitchen moving forward without delay.

Seaweed

Nori seaweed offers an excellent substitute for anchovies while providing similar umami flavors and additional health benefits.

This versatile ingredient works wonderfully in both sweet and savory dishes, making it a perfect replacement in many recipes.

For more complex dishes, nori can be enhanced by combining it with miso paste and tamari or adding fresh ginger to match your desired taste profile.

ONE ORGANIC's Sushi Nori Roasted Seaweed Sheets are particularly delicious when used as an anchovy alternative in salads.

The natural saltiness and ocean flavor of nori gives your dishes that same depth without using fish products.

Bragg Liquid Aminos

Braggs Liquid Aminos offers a milder taste and lower salt content than traditional soy sauce while still delivering that savory umami flavor many people love in Asian cooking.

Unlike regular soy sauce, this popular condiment doesn't contain wheat, making it a perfect gluten-free alternative for those with dietary restrictions.

Many home cooks appreciate how this versatile soybean-based product adds depth to dressings, marinades, soups, and stir-fries without overwhelming other ingredients.

The distinctive salty punch can enhance virtually any savory dish from simple roasted vegetables to complex protein preparations.

Umeboshi

Umeboshi, a staple in Japanese cuisine, delivers an intense flavor punch that makes it an excellent substitute for anchovy paste when dishes need that distinctive umami depth.

Many sushi lovers appreciate how this tangy, salty preserved plum can transform recipes with just a small amount, proving that sometimes the most powerful ingredients come in small doses.

This vegan-friendly condiment works wonderfully in Thai dishes that typically call for fish sauce, adding complexity and richness without any animal products.

Shirakiku Umeboshi is a particularly good brand choice for anyone wanting authentic flavor without breaking the bank.

Marmite & Vegemite

Surprising many home cooks, Marmite and Vegemite serve as excellent anchovy paste alternatives in various dishes.

These British and Australian staples bring powerful umami flavors that enhance soups, sandwiches, sauces, and pasta just like the original ingredient.

Marmite offers a predominantly salty profile that closely mimics the depth of anchovy paste in most recipes.

Vegemite, on the other hand, carries a more distinctive bitter note that works particularly well in robust dishes where that extra flavor dimension is welcome.

Few people realize these everyday spreads can solve the common kitchen dilemma of missing anchovy paste while still delivering that rich, savory foundation that many recipes require.

Worcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire sauce stands as an excellent substitute for casseroles, soups, stews, and sauces when you need that rich umami kick.

A dash of this potent condiment works perfectly in Caesar dressing or any recipe calling for anchovy flavor, thanks to its convenient dropper-style top for precise measuring.

For generations, this kitchen staple has won the hearts of chefs and home cooks worldwide with its distinctive, complex taste profile.

The sauce cleverly eliminates the need for anchovy paste or bacon while replicating their flavors beautifully, though reducing additional salt is recommended when using it.

Sardines

Substituting ingredients can make your cooking journey more flexible and creative.

Sardines stand out as a top-notch replacement for anchovies since these fishy cousins share similar profiles, though sardines offer a milder taste and softer texture.

For dishes needing that distinctive anchovy punch, a dash of miso paste or Worcestershire sauce mixed with sardine fillets works magic before cooking.

Tinned sardines provide the closest match with their naturally salty flavor that closely resembles what anchovies bring to recipes.

Ocean Prince Sardines deserve special mention because they're wild-caught and free from the hormones commonly found in farmed fish options.

Soy Sauce

Soy sauce stands as an excellent substitute when anchovies aren't available, bringing that familiar salty flavor to dishes across cultures.

Japanese cooks developed this versatile ingredient centuries ago due to their access to saltwater fish rather than freshwater varieties, creating a condiment that works beautifully in both Asian and Western recipes.

From stir fries and soups to pizza and pasta sauces, a dash of soy sauce adds depth and complexity without overwhelming other flavors.

Many home cooks prefer Kikkoman Lite Soy Sauce for its heart-healthy benefits while maintaining the authentic taste profile of the original version.

Shrimp Paste

Shrimp paste is an excellent replacement for anchovy products in Asian cuisine while maintaining similar rich, umami flavors.

Throughout Southeast Asia, this fermented mixture of ground shrimp, sea animals, and salt has become a staple ingredient in countless traditional dishes.

Many home cooks appreciate how quickly and easily this substitute works in recipes that typically call for anchovy paste, without compromising the depth of flavor.

Por Kwan offers a particularly high-quality version that food enthusiasts often recommend for its full-bodied taste profile.

The distinctive aroma might seem strong at first, but it mellows beautifully during cooking and adds authentic complexity to your meals.

Fish Sauce

Substituting fish sauce for anchovies can enhance Thai dishes, Vietnamese pho, goi cuon, and Southeast Asian curries like green and Panang.

This flavorful alternative works wonderfully in noodles, stir-fries, and soups where you need that distinctive umami kick.

Fish sauce comes packed with intense flavor in a small jar, so a few drops are usually enough for most recipes.

Red Boat Fish Sauce is an excellent choice since anchovies are its main ingredient, making it perfect for sauces and dressings that originally call for filleted anchovies.

Miso

Miso offers a perfect substitute for anchovies with its rich umami flavor derived from fermented soybeans.

This versatile ingredient comes in various forms including white miso with lighter notes, red or brown versions with deeper flavors, and combination packs for culinary experimentation.

Many professional kitchens rely on anchovies for depth, but miso provides an excellent plant-based alternative that delivers similar complexity without animal products.

You can easily incorporate miso into broths, sauces, and marinades where its concentrated taste prevents dishes from becoming bland or watery.

Capers

Substituting capers for anchovies on pizza offers a delicious alternative when traditional options aren't available.

These small, salty buds deliver a strong pickling flavor that works wonderfully whether sprinkled as a garnish or mixed directly into sauce.

Many food lovers appreciate capers not just on pizza but also as flavorful additions to salads and pasta dishes where they provide a similar briny kick.

Agostino Recca's salted capers stand out as a premium choice that has maintained its quality for decades, making dishes more flavorful without overwhelming other ingredients.

Olives Kalamata

Kalamata olives make an excellent substitute for anchovies with their tangy juice and fruity flavor that works wonderfully in pastes and salads.

These versatile olives not only create vegetarian-friendly dishes but also boost nutritional value through their rich antioxidant content that helps fight aging.

For those looking to reduce seafood consumption while maintaining protein intake, olives provide a distinct texture and savory taste that satisfies nearly all dietary needs.

The natural saltiness and oils in olives prevent dishes from becoming dry without requiring any pre-frying preparation.

Making Your Own Umami-Rich Sauces Without Anchovies

Creating umami-rich sauces without anchovies is easy and rewarding, especially for vegetarians, vegans, or anyone with seafood allergies who still craves that deep, savory kick in their dishes:

• Use Mushrooms: Sautéed or dried mushrooms (like shiitake or porcini) deliver a meaty, earthy flavor that’s packed with natural umami, perfect for sauce bases.
• Add Soy Sauce or Tamari: Both soy sauce and its gluten-free cousin tamari bring salty, savory depth, making them a great anchor for stir-fries, marinades, or dressings.
• Try Miso Paste: A spoonful of miso (especially red or brown varieties) adds complexity and richness, just whisk it in at the end for a smooth finish.
• Boost With Tomato Paste: Tomato paste, especially if lightly caramelized in a pan, brings sweet-savory notes that build body in sauces and soups.
• Sprinkle Nutritional Yeast: This vegan favorite has a nutty, cheesy flavor that mimics the umami boost of anchovies, stir it into creamy sauces or sprinkle on top.
• Worcestershire Without Anchovies: Look for vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, which usually uses tamarind, molasses, and spices for a similar punch.
• Finish With Seaweed: Dried seaweed (like nori or kelp) can be steeped in water or crumbled into sauces for extra savory layers.
• Taste and Adjust: Balance your sauce with a pinch of salt, a splash of vinegar, or a bit of sugar to round out the flavors and keep everything in harmony.

How to Get the Right Salty Flavor Without Fish

Getting the right salty flavor in your dishes without using fish is simple when you know which ingredients to reach for and how to balance them for a full, satisfying taste:

• Soy Sauce or Tamari: These bring plenty of salty, savory notes and can be used in everything from stir-fries to dressings, with tamari offering a gluten-free option.
• Miso Paste: Stir in a small spoonful of miso paste to soups, stews, or sauces for an instant boost of saltiness and rich umami depth.
• Sea Salt or Kosher Salt: Use high-quality salt and sprinkle it in small amounts, tasting as you go to avoid over-salting.
• Capers or Olive Brine: Chopped capers or a splash of olive brine mimic the salty tang you’d find in anchovy-based sauces, especially in pasta or Mediterranean recipes.
• Nutritional Yeast: This vegan ingredient adds a cheesy, salty flavor, perfect for sprinkling on vegetables, popcorn, or baked dishes.
• Pickled Vegetables: Chopped pickles, kimchi, or sauerkraut can bring a salty kick and a little tanginess to sandwiches, salads, and grain bowls.
• Dulse or Nori Flakes: Dried seaweed flakes add a hint of oceanic saltiness and can be stirred into broths or sprinkled on top of rice or noodles.

Anchovy Swap Queries and Answers

1. Will a substitute change the flavor of my dish?

Yes, substitutes offer similar salty and umami notes, but the exact flavor will differ. Fish sauce and Worcestershire sauce come closest in savory depth.

2. Are there vegetarian or vegan alternatives to anchovies?

Yes, capers, miso paste, seaweed, or a combination of soy sauce and mushrooms can add umami to plant-based recipes.

3. Can I use fish sauce instead of anchovies in Caesar dressing?

Yes, fish sauce provides a similar savory and salty flavor. Start with a few drops and adjust to taste.

4. Is Worcestershire sauce a good anchovy substitute?

Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies and mimics their flavor, making it a reliable substitute in dressings and sauces.

5. Can I skip anchovies in a recipe?

You can omit them, but the dish may lose some depth. Add extra umami with soy sauce, miso, or capers for a more complex flavor.

6. Will a substitute work in pasta sauces like puttanesca?

Yes, use chopped capers, olives, or a splash of fish sauce to replicate the salty bite anchovies provide in pasta sauces.