Savory Secrets: Top 6 Coconut Amino Alternatives For Your Kitchen

Coconut amino is a gluten free, soy free flavor booster that looks and taste similar to soy sauce or Bragg’s liquid aminos. It doesn’t taste like coconut, and it’s not too hard to find a similar flavor profile to enhance your cooking.

You can substitute any of the following in a measure-for-measure amount for a similar flavor but not necessarily the same dietary limitations:

1. Soy sauce: Readily available and inexpensive, but is usually not gluten free and is definitely not soy-free.
2. Tamari sauce: Not that easy to find in a neighborhood grocery.
3. Worcestershire sauce: Easy to find and inexpensive. More vinegary, less depth of flavor. That umami flavor comes from fermented anchovy (fish), and traditionally contains wheat too. Check the labels and look for vegan options.
4. Liquid aminos: Super salty and a bit pricey, but gluten free and vegan (usually – check the labels).
5. Fish sauce: Not vegan or vegetarian but lots of flavor for cooking.
6. Better Than Bouillon: Our favorite all-around versatile pick as a substitute for coconut aminos. Can adjust depth of flavor to taste.

Read on for more details about these substitutes when your recipe calls for coconut aminos.

Quick Summary

Here is our go-to substitute for Coconut Aminos and our quick tip on how to use it. For even more substitute options, read below:

Substitute 1: Soy Sauce

Ratio: 1:1

Soy sauce, a pantry staple for many, is your first and easiest alternative to Coconut Aminos. Simply replace Coconut Aminos with an equal amount of soy sauce in your recipes. It’s that straightforward! The umami-rich flavor of soy sauce adds depth and complexity to your dishes.

Substitutes For Coconut Aminos

Now, let’s explore the world of Coconut Amino substitutes that can spice up your culinary adventures.

Substitute 1: Soy Sauce

• Flavor Profile: Soy sauce brings that classic savory, salty, and slightly sweet taste to the table. Thanks to its fermentation process, it’s rich in umami, which gives it a delightful depth.
• Comparison: Soy sauce is a close match to Coconut Amino when it comes to flavor. While Coconut Amino has a subtle sweetness, soy sauce leans more towards saltiness. This makes it an excellent replacement for dishes where you want that umami punch.
• Best Dishes: Soy sauce shines in stir-fries, marinades, and Asian-inspired dishes. It’s your go-to choice for dishes like Teriyaki chicken or a savory stir-fried vegetable medley.
• Substitution Guidelines: Swap Coconut Amino with soy sauce at a 1:1 ratio. Depending on personal preference and dietary restrictions, you may need to reduce the salt or soy sauce content in your recipe slightly.

Substitute 2: Tamari Sauce

• Flavor Profile: Tamari sauce is a gluten-free soy sauce alternative with a deep, rich flavor. It boasts the same umami goodness as soy sauce, making it a fantastic substitution for Coconut Amino.
• Comparison: Tamari is very similar in flavor to soy sauce but is often less salty and slightly smoother. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a gluten-free option or a milder soy sauce flavor.
• Best Dishes: Use Tamari sauce in gluten-free or soy-sensitive recipes. It’s perfect for dipping sauces, sushi, and any dish where you’d typically use soy sauce.
• Substitution Guidelines: You can substitute Tamari for Coconut Amino at a 1:1 ratio. Adjust the saltiness to your liking, but generally, it doesn’t require much alteration.

Substitute 3: Liquid Aminos

• Flavor Profile: Liquid Aminos, made from non-GMO soybeans, offer a similar umami-rich experience to soy sauce but with a cleaner ingredient list. Bragg is a popular liquid aminos brand.
• Comparison: Liquid Aminos have a slightly milder and lighter taste than traditional soy sauce. They are often praised for being a healthier alternative due to their minimal processing.
• Best Dishes: Liquid Aminos work well in all the same dishes as soy sauce, including stir-fries, marinades, and dressings. They’re particularly excellent in recipes with a more neutral soy flavor.
• Substitution Guidelines: Swap Liquid Aminos for Coconut Amino at a 1:1 ratio. You might need to adjust saltiness, but it’s typically a seamless transition.

Substitute 4: Fish Sauce

• Flavor Profile: Fish sauce is a potent umami bomb made from fermented fish, typically anchovies. It’s salty, pungent, and intensely funky and savory that adds complexity to your dishes. Most brands tend to be gluten-free but not vegan.
• Comparison: While fish sauce doesn’t precisely mimic the sweet notes of Coconut Amino, it brings a unique depth of flavor that can enhance your recipes. It’s a great choice when you want to infuse a Southeast Asian flair into your cooking.
• Best Dishes: Fish sauce is a crucial ingredient in Thai, Vietnamese, and other Southeast Asian cuisines. Use it in marinades, dressings, and soups for an authentic taste.
• Substitution Guidelines: Replace Coconut Amino with fish sauce at a 1:1 ratio, but exercise caution as it’s saltier and more intense. Start with a smaller quantity and adjust to taste. Remember, a little goes a long way with fish sauce.

Substitute 5: Worcestershire Sauce

• Flavor Profile: Worcestershire sauce, including worcestershire sauce powder, is a bold and tangy condiment with a complex flavor profile. It combines sweet, sour, salty, and umami notes and hints of garlic and spices.
• Comparison: While Worcestershire sauce isn’t a direct umami match for Coconut Amino, it can add depth and a similar touch with a heavy vinegar bite to your recipes. Readily available in most grocery stores, you can usually find Worcestershire sauce in the condiment aisle of grocery stores near ketchup or mustard.
• Best Dishes: Worcestershire sauce is a classic choice for marinades, sauces, and meat-based dishes. It’s an essential ingredient in cocktails like the Bloody Mary and the Caesar.
• Substitution Guidelines: Swap Coconut Amino with Worcestershire sauce at a 1:1 ratio and adjust to your taste preference. Be mindful of its bold flavors, and consider reducing the quantity if you aim for a milder profile.

Substitute 6: Better Than Bouillon

• Flavor Profile: This is our favorite kitchen secret for the best ways to add flavor the same way coconut aminos does. It comes in a wide-mouth jar as a thick, rich paste, in several flavors such as chicken, beef, seasoned vegetable, Italian herb, and even lobster and ham.
• Best Dishes: This is one of my favorite flavor boosters. It makes quick work of seasoning soups, stews, chili, meat sauce for pasta, sauces of all kinds. The list is endless, and you can choose the base flavor that works for you.
• Substitution Guidelines: Use the Seasoned Vegetables flavor to closely match the vegetarian coconut aminos. Since Better Than Bouillon is a thick, flavorful paste, mix 1 teaspoon of BnB in a small bowl with 2 teaspoons of water to create about 3 teaspoons of coconut aminos substitute. Use more or less to taste.

The bottom line

A flavor enhancer like coconut aminos is often the first line of flavor in the pantry. Whether you choose soy sauce, Tamari sauce, or liquid aminos, remember that personal taste plays a significant role in culinary exploration. As a recap, note the following about Coconut Amino substitutes:

• Soy sauce, Tamari sauce, and Liquid Aminos are excellent alternatives.
• Worcestershire sauce and Fish sauce also offer satisfactory alternatives.
• Adjust ratios and the salt level in the rest of your recipe to accommodate taste and dietary needs.

Finally, you can confidently replace Coconut Aminos with any of these alternatives at a 1:1 ratio for most dishes.