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Coconut aminos is a gluten-free and soy-free dish. It is usually savory and salty as it is made from the sap of coconut palm.
The fantastic thing about the coconut aminos is that it does not taste like coconuts, but tastes more like soy sauce. Most times, coconut aminos are used as substitutes for soy sauce as it tastes like a milder and less salty version.
Sometimes, your recipe might call for these specialty ingredients, but you won’t have any at hand, which is why you will need to know about other coconut aminos substitutes so you will always have something to fall back to.
That said, some of the best substitutes for coconut aminos that you can use include teriyaki, soy sauce, worcestershire, tamari, liquid aminos, and miso paste.
Best Coconut Aminos Substitutes
1. Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is the best coconut aminos substitute you can find anywhere. The only significant difference you can encounter is that this is a gluten packed and soy-rich substitute.
So, if you will be using coconut aminos for a gluten-free diet, you should consider going for other options like the tamari.
You can replace your coconut aminos with soy sauce in a ratio of 1:1, but you should keep in mind that the soy sauce is much spicier than the coconut aminos.
If you are concerned about the salt level, you should start with ½ or ¼, a substitute, and increase if needed.
2. Tamari
The tamari is a gluten-free substitute that is the second-best option you can try out. Tamari is made with soy, so it can only be a substitute for coconut tamari.
The only significant difference is that tamari is made with a particular type of Japanese soy, so the only difference you can encounter is that the tamari is not soy-free.
Some little ingredients in the tamari differ depending on the company that produced it. You should always make sure that you check the tamari you will be getting and ascertain that it is similar to coconut aminos in terms of ingredients used.
You can substitute the tamari for your coconut aminos in a ratio of 1:1.
3. Liquid Aminos
The liquid aminos are another excellent substitute for the coconut aminos, and they taste just like them, except that this substitute, unlike the coconut aminos, contains soy. If you don’t have a soy allergy, this substitute would also work great.
The liquid aminos is a great substitute and is said to be more than soy sauce in terms of taste and level of saltiness, so when using it as a substitute, you can use it in a 1:1 or even less than the recipe calls for.
4. Teriyaki
Teriyaki is a sweet and salty sauce made when a few ingredients are mixed. To make teriyaki, you need to combine soy sauce, a Japanese alcoholic beverage known as sake, rice wine known as mirin, ginger, and sugar
Since teriyaki is made with a mixture of brown, it is much thicker and stickier than the coconut aminos.
If you desire to make your coconut aminos thicker, you should consider adding a thickening agent like cornstarch to make it thicker and slurpier.
5. Worcestershire
All the substitutes listed above are Asian, but we are venturing out of Asia to England with this substitute.
Worcestershire sauce is an excellent coconut aminos for people who do not stay in Asian countries. Worcestershire is made with various ingredients to give it that umami flavor.
The ingredients used in making Worcestershire include anchovies, sugar, vinegar, salt, and all-natural spices. These ingredients are fermented to create a thick, dark, and salty result.
Worcestershire is often eaten with steaks, used in creating excellent salad dressings, and can also be used to spice up cocktails.
The coconut aminos and the Worcestershire have similar saltiness and consistency but what seems to tell them apart is the flavors in the Worcestershire.
When using the Worcestershire as a substitute for your coconut aminos while cooking, do well to add ingredients like anchovies, cloves, chili pepper, and garlic to give it a more relatable flavor.
6. Miso Paste
Miso is another soybean-based sauce made by fermenting soybean with an ingredient known as the koji before it is mixed into a paste.
Koji mold is made with rice, but other grains like soybeans and barley are now used. Miso comes in various options, but some common ones include white miso, red miso, and yellow miso.
The most suitable miso paste for the coconut aminos is the white miso because they share similar mild and sweet flavors. The stand-out difference between these two is that one is in liquid form, and the other is a paste.
That shouldn’t be a significant case as you can add water to your miso paste to give it the same consistency as the coconut aminos, even if it winds up diluted.
Can You Make Coconut Paste at Home?
Yes, you can make a DIY coconut paste at home. Coconut aminos can be already packed in most stores, but if you don’t find them or decide to go for homemade coconut aminos, you can do it yourself.
Ingredients
For this recipe, you are going to be needing:
- A cup of beef broth
- A tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
- ½ a tablespoon of fish sauce
- One teaspoon of tomato paste
- 2/3 teaspoon of onion powder
- 2/8 teaspoon of salt
Combine all these ingredients except the salt in a saucepan and whisk them all up to make this substitute. Boil all these ingredients under high heat and when they start boiling, reduce the heat and let t simmer for about ten minutes. After simmering, you can now season with salt and preserve in air-tight containers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Coconut Aminos Taste Like Coconuts?
Surprisingly, the coconut aminos do not taste like coconuts, but the sugary liquid can serve as a good substitute for the coconut aminos.
What Are Coconut Aminos Made From?
The coconut aminos are made from the sap of coconut plants. The coconut amino is a dark-colored sauce that tastes similar to the soy sauce. You need to note that the coconut aminos are not made from coconuts.
Where Can I Buy Coconut Aminos?
You can get your coconut aminos from most grocery supermarkets, the health food aisle, or even close to the soy sauce. If it is not available, you can order it online or make your homemade coconut amino.
What Is the Difference Between Soy Sauce and Coconut Aminos?
The significant difference between the soy sauce and coconut aminos is that the coconut amino has a more delicious flavor than the soy sauce.
Is Coconut Aminos Good for Weight Loss?
Yes, coconut aminos are excellent for weight loss. It is low-glycemic, gluten-free, contains 17 amino acids, and is gluten-free. The amount of sodium in the coconut aminos is about 65% less than that of the soy sauce, which makes it an excellent weight-loss option.
