Worcestershire sauce originated in 1835 in Worcestershire, England. As the story goes, the British Lord Sandys returned home from governing a British colony in India and missed his favorite Indian fish sauce so much that he contracted a local pharmacy to make something similar.
Although the term Worcestershire sauce is relatively new, the fish sauce itself dates back to the ancient Romans.
As you’ve probably surmised, though, the original Worcestershire sauce with fish sauce is not vegan-friendly. Thankfully, there are plenty of plant-based vegan Worcestershire sauce alternatives on the market.
Below, I’m going to explain exactly why traditional Worcestershire sauce isn’t vegan and show you some of the best vegan Worcestershire sauce alternatives that you can enjoy guilt-free!
Is Worcestershire Sauce Vegan?
Unfortunately, most Worcestershire sauce is not vegan. The main ingredient that gives the sauce its iconic umami flavor profile is anchovy fish sauce.
Fish sauce is most definitely not vegan. It’s actually a bit repulsive once you learn what goes into making it! To make fish sauce, anchovies are coated in salt and then left to ferment in a barrel.
Over time, natural bacteria start to break the fish down. Eventually, the once fish becomes a thick sauce made up of bacterial-digested fish remains. This, my friends, is fish sauce.
Pretty gross, right?
What’s In Worcestershire Sauce?
Although the fish sauce is responsible for the savory flavor profile, Worcestershire sauce also contains a number of other ingredients, such as:
- Brown sugar
- Garlic
- Vinegar
- Tamarind
- Salt
- Chili peppers
- Cloves
- Soy
Is Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce Vegan?
Lea & Perrins are the original pharmacists that Lord Sandys contracted to make his fish sauce in 1835. Eventually, they realized how good their creation tasted.
So, they trademarked the brand and started selling their sauce all over the world. Today, Lea & Perrin’s original Worcestershire sauce is one of the most popular condiments in the U.S.
Unfortunately, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce is NOT vegan, due to the fish sauce.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how they make their signature sauce. As you can see, the fish plays a big part:
What Is A Vegan Substitute For Worcestershire Sauce?
Thankfully, there are a number of vegan-friendly Worcestershire sauce alternatives to choose from! Instead of using fish sauce, vegan Worcestershire sauce uses other umami-flavored additives like soy sauce and plant-based amino.
Combined with the other plant-based ingredients, the result is a vegan Worcestershire sauce that tastes almost exactly like the real thing. It just doesn’t have any fish or animal by-products!
The Best Vegan Worcestershire Sauce Alternatives To Try
Now that you have a better idea of what to expect from a vegan alternative, here are the best vegan Worcestershire sauce brands that you should try to add a bit of flavor to your meals!
- Annies Homegrown Organic & Vegan Worcestershire sauce, 6.25 Ounce
Flavor Rating: 8/10
Annie’s is one of the most popular household names in the vegan community. Although they make a number of non-vegan products, their vegan products are some of the best-tasting I’ve ever had.
The company is known for using all-natural, organic ingredients to create healthy alternatives to unhealthy mainstream alternatives.
Annie’s Vegan Worcestershire Sauce is made using a blend of water, molasses, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, organic cane sugar, tamarind, sea salt, garlic, onion, clove, xanthan gum, corn starch, and chili pepper.
Almost all of the ingredients in the blend are 100% vegan, which makes for a great-tasting, well-rounded vegan Worcestershire alternative.
I love to put a few dashes of this on my salad and I often use it when cooking tempeh and tofu! It has a deep savory flavor profile with a light, tangy notes that add a bit of zest and life to whatever I’m eating.
What I Like About It:
- Uses mostly organic ingredients.
- The only questionable ingredient is xanthan gum.
- Has a well-rounded flavor profile that even picky eaters will appreciate.
- Savory and tangy.
- Tastes great on salads and vegan protein.
What’s Not-So-Great:
- It’s not quite as spicy as I usually prefer.
- Vegan / Vegatarian
- Organic
- Zesty Worcestershire Sauce
Flavor Rating: 10/10
The Wizard’s sauces are some of my favorite condiments of all time. The Wizard’s Organic Vegan Worcestershire Sauce is, by far, one of the best-tasting vegan Worcestershire sauce alternatives on the market and has a rich, smoky, savory flavor that you won’t forget.
Annie’s Vegan Worcestershire Sauce is milder in flavor and is great for picky eaters.
However, if you’re looking for the full experience with extra spice, earthiness, and an ultra-savory umami profile, The Wizard’s Vegan Worcestershire Sauce is the real deal.
It’s made with a proprietary blend of apple cider vinegar, tamari sauce, molasses, water, agave syrup, lemon juice, salt, ginger, tamarind, chili pepper, garlic powder, shiitake mushrooms, xanthan gum, cloves, orange extract, allspice, lemon extract, onion flavor, and natural smoke flavor.
As you can see, it’s quite an involved recipe. The result is a smoky, rich-flavored sauce that tastes amazing on all of your favorite vegan proteins.
Another fun fact is that all of the ingredients used to make The Wizard’s Vegan Worcestershire Sauce are 100% organic, which is another great reason to love this product. If you like to cook with the sauce often, they also offer a large jug!
What I Like About It:
- Made with all-organic ingredients.
- Uses lots of different spices, herbs, and mushrooms to create a deep, rich flavor.
- Available in small bottles and large jugs.
- Tastes just as good as real Worcestershire sauce.
What’s Not-So-Great:
- It’s a bit expensive.
Flavor Rating: 8/10
If you’re looking for simple, high-quality ingredients, 365 by Whole Foods Market is usually a pretty good option. I’ve tried 365 Vegan Worcestershire Sauce several times and it’s pretty good. To me, I found that it tastes very similar to Annie’s Vegan Worcestershire Sauce.
It’s made with white vinegar, molasses, water cane sugar, caramel color, black pepper, garlic powder, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, cayenne pepper, and a bit of xanthan gum.
As you can see, it’s not quite as involved as The Wizard’s Worcestershire Sauce. It’s not quite as spicy and flavorful either. That being said, it’s a nice mild-flavored Worcestershire sauce that adds a bit of flavor without overpowering your food.
It’s also quite affordable and is half the price of The Wizard’s sauce, which is nice considering that it uses mostly organic ingredients!
What I Like About It:
- Uses mostly-organic ingredients.
- Has a mild flavor that’s not overpowering.
- Affordable.
What’s Not-So-Great:
- Not sure why it contains caramel color.
Flavor Rating: 10/10
Although it’s not exactly Worcestershire sauce, Big Tree Farms Organic Coco Aminos is a great way to add a rich savory umami flavor to any meal.
This sauce is made using coconut blossom and is a great vegan-friendly alternative to Worcestershire sauce!
What I Like About It:
- Made with organic coconut blossom.
- Rich umami flavor profile.
- Great alternative to Worcestershire sauce.
What’s Not-So-Great:
- It’s a little bit expensive.
Conclusion – What’s The Best Vegan Worcestershire Sauce?
In my opinion, the best vegan Worcestershire sauce is The Wizard’s Worcestershire Sauce. Not only does it contain all-organic ingredients but it has a complex, spicy, and savory flavor that tastes even better than the original non-vegan Worcestershire sauce!
If you’re looking for vegan-friendly toppings to add to your food, you may be surprised to hear that most BBQ sauce is also vegan! Keep on reading to discover the best vegan BBQ sauces next.
