The best substitutes for anchovies

Anchovies are a special type of dressing. They are not for everyone, but there are many people who really enjoy them. The thing is that they are not always easy to find or get.

There may also be times when someone has ordered anchovies and you want to use a similar alternative to see if it’s better.

Luckily, if you like the taste of anchovies or want something similar, there are substitutes that a person can use when needed. Some of the substitutes can really surprise you, because a lot of times it’s just a matter of using a sauce or paste, but there are several different options.

What is the best substitute for anchovies? The best substitute for anchovies varies depending on the dish. Worcestershire sauce is one of the most common options, since anchovies are on the ingredient list. Other substitutes are fish sauce, shrimp paste, sardines, soy sauce, miso, capers, and kalamata olives.

In this guide, we will share with you the best substitutes for anchovies. Whether you enjoy a nice salad, need an alternative to pizza, or just need something suitable for that gourmet sauce you’re making, we’ve got you covered!

Stay with us to learn about the best substitutes for anchovies.

Guide to use substitutes for anchovies

There are a number of different things that anchovies can be used for. They are popular with cooks, especially for dressings and sauces, but are truly considered a versatile ingredient in the kitchen.

Here are some common uses for anchovies:

• pizza topping
• Dressing (Caesar)
• salad topping
• sandwiches
• anchovy paste
• dressings
• Dips
• pasta sauce
• lasagna
• french tart

These are just some examples. The key is that they can be versatile if you are willing to try them.

Now, let’s look at some alternatives and what they may be more suitable for.

1. Worcestershire sauce

One of the most common substitutes for anchovies is Worcestershire sauce. This is because the sauce actually contains anchovies as one of the ingredients, so you get that bold and funky flavor without having to take anchovies directly.

You may have been using Worcestershire sauce for things and never had a clue what’s in it until you read this guide. Most people wouldn’t put Worcestershire sauce on their pizza, but it’s totally an option if you want the flavor.

Worcestershire sauce is a good substitute for things like casseroles, soups, stews, sauces, and marinades. You can add a touch of it to Caesar dressing, or any other kind of sauce or dressing you want to make.

It comes in liquid form, so it’s super easy to add to whatever you’re making for a funky flavor that can really set a dish apart.

Don’t stop using Worcestershire sauce just because you found out that it contains anchovies. Keep using it in your regular dishes, but maybe you’ll find some new dishes and sauces that you can try it in for that extra burst of flavor.

If you need a good Worcestershire sauce recommendation, we recommend the Lea & Perrins brand. This is an all-natural sauce and from one of the original creators of Worcestershire sauce. Their sauce is kosher and has a flavor you won’t find anywhere else.

2. Fish sauce

Here you have another sauce option to replace the anchovies. Again, it is a sauce that can be used in almost any dish you prepare. Whether you want to mix it into pizza sauce, add it to a soup or stew, or want to get that quirky flavor in your dressing, fish sauce can come in handy.

Keep in mind that fish sauce can be quite strong , so use very small amounts. In most cases, we would recommend Worcestershire instead of fish sauce for things like Caesar dressing or most sauces.

However, you may want to use very small amounts, usually 1/2 teaspoon or less. The fish sauce has quite a strong flavor.

What happens with fish sauce is that its flavor is really very powerful. If you use fish sauce, make sure you use it in something that isn’t too powerful. Use it for options like soups, stews, broths, or stews. You can also use it in paste form.

If you are looking for a good fish sauce, try this option from Thai Kitchen. They make many very good Asian sauce options and the fish sauce is made with quality ingredients. They do have anchovies in the sauce, but be aware that their flavor is strong. It only has four ingredients and does not contain glutamate.

3. Prawn paste

If you are going to prepare an Asian dish or maybe you want to add the flavor of anchovies to your pizza, you can always use a shrimp paste to replace the anchovies or anchovy paste. You would use the shrimp paste in the same increments as the anchovy paste.

This type of pasta is commonly used in meals in Southeast Asia and South China. You can easily make your own shrimp or anchovy paste simply by grinding the meat and fermenting it with salt. However, you can also buy them; shrimp paste is usually easier to find than anchovy.

Prawn paste will give you that funky kick of flavor without the strong notes of anchovy too if you want something that is a bit lighter.

Both shrimp paste and anchovy paste have a fairly strong flavor, so you should take this into account when creating your recipe, whatever it is.

Here is a popular Thai Shrimp prawn paste that you can try if you must.

4. Sardines

If you are looking for a true fish substitute for anchovies, you can try sardines. This is a challenge because the flavors are really different, as are the textures.

The flavor of sardines is much lighter than that of anchovies. So if you like the idea of, for example, anchovies and crackers, but want something lighter, sardines can do the trick.

However, you can use sardine fillets instead of anchovy fillets if you prepare the dish properly. In this case, you’ll want to make sure to add a touch of a sauce like Worcestershire sauce to bring the flavor of the anchovies into the dish.

The good thing about sardines is that they offer you a light-tasting alternative. They are a great substitute when it comes more to the appearance of the food and having the fillets available for use.

Keep in mind that the flavors are clearly different, so they won’t taste the same. You can help this by using a little Worcestershire or fish sauce on the sardines for whatever you are serving.

Sardines are usually much easier to find in most grocery stores, so this could be your solution if needed. Of course, do not forget Worcestershire. If you need a recommendation, we like this option on the house favorite, Chicken of the Sea.

5. Soy sauce

Another popular substitute for anchovies when you need that funky flavor is soy sauce . It is a sauce, so it is best used for dressings, sauces, soups, and the like. You can add soy sauce to pasta sauce or maybe pizza sauce as well.

The soy sauce contains absolutely no anchovies. It’s made primarily from water, soy, wheat, salt, and alcohol, but its flavor is rich, giving you a suitable flavor substitute if you want to add that fun twist that really stands out.

The good thing about soy sauce is that it is relatively easy to find or to make yourself. Many people have soy sauce in the fridge or pantry, so it’s a good substitute when you need a quick and easy fix.

Since this is a sauce, it can easily be added to almost anything you make. Whether you’re making a Caesar dressing, pizza, or something else, it can be a versatile substitute that works.

If you need a good soy sauce, we recommend Kikkoman Japanese Soy Sauce. It’s bold and strong-tasting, which is where the substitution properties really come into play, making it a credible alternative.

6. Miso - Vegan Alternative

Miso is a great option when you need a meatless substitute for anchovies. Miso uses soybeans to create a rich and flavorful paste. Miso is designed to be nutritious and give you that rich umami flavor that anchovies and pastas are known for.

Miso can be found in different varieties. It is usually a paste or a liquid, and either can be used for many different things.

Also, miso is nutritious and has many nutritional benefits. Most miso is high in things like protein, folate, minerals, B vitamins, vitamin E, and vitamin K.

Miso can be made in a number of different ways, but it is usually made primarily from soybeans. You just have to look at the ingredient list to find out if there are any added ingredients or preservatives in the mix. As the flavor is rich, it can be a suitable substitute for anchovies.

Miso is best used as a substitute for recipes that use broth, such as soups. It can also work for marinades or mixed with vegetables and in stews. Some people add it to noodle dishes as part of the broth in the dish.

Miso is versatile. Although it won’t taste the same as anchovies, it will have that deep, rich flavor that most people use for anchovies, so it works great as a substitute.

This PuroRaw Miso Soy Paste is a great option and is 100% organic with a rich flavor and all-natural ingredients. You can’t go wrong.

7. Capers

You may have seen or heard of anchovies on pizza and you may be intrigued but don’t know where to start.

Or maybe you want an alternative because you love this option. Capers are the best alternative to anchovies on pizza.  You can use the capers as a topping or mix them with the pizza sauce; it works either way.

Capers are a very popular substitute because they are not just a sauce or paste, but a small, pea-sized object that often comes in salt and vinegar mixtures. The flavor is generally very similar to that of anchovy, with less of a fishy flavor.

You can create a paste or just use them as is and they will work wonderfully as an anchovy substitute.

Capers come from a bush and are actually small shoots. What makes them a good alternative is the way they are prepared and sold. Capers have a nice flavor without being too strong or overwhelming when you create your dish.

Our caper recommendation comes from Mina Non-Pareil, which translates as has no equal, so it ultimately speaks for itself in quality.

8. Kalamata olives

Finally, our last recommendation for an anchovy substitute is Kalamata olives. These olives are another great alternative suitable for vegans. They are known to be almost sweet and sour at the same time.

Kalamata olives have a hint of fruity flavor, but what really stands out is the tart flavor of the juice the olives come in.

Use the olives for texture and the juice for flavor, and it’s a really great option that doesn’t include meat. If you are substituting the anchovy paste, you will use almost the same measurements as you would have used for the pasta.

The great thing about olives is that they are versatile, so if you want something for a pasta or maybe you want something that you can add to your salad, this is your winner! They are fresh and flavorful and can be used for a number of different options.

We like this option from Roland Foods. They come from Greece and are also tasty and rich.

Related questions

We hope you find this guide to choosing an anchovy substitute useful and informative. We have strived to offer an alternative for almost any situation and to provide versatility so that there is something for different preferences as well.

We invite you to take a look at our Q&A section below to see if there is any additional information that you might find useful.

Are there vegetarian substitutes for anchovies?

There are vegetarian alternatives to anchovies. You could use something like Kalamata olives, miso, or even seaweed to create an alternative.

Although we didn’t mention seaweed on our list of options, they have a bold flavor and texture that can easily substitute for anchovies in many types of dishes. Use the seaweed for things like salad or pizza.

What makes anchovies taste so salty?

The salinity comes from a process of curing the fish. They are cured in salt and vinegar, which is what gives them that funky salty flavor that really stands out. That’s why other salty foods, such as soy sauce and fish sauce, are suitable alternatives.

Can you make your own anchovy paste?

You can make your own pasta and you can make it with anchovies or also with an alternative substitute like capers or prawns. The paste usually includes garlic, thyme, mustard, vinegar, black pepper, and a little oil. It can also be done in other ways.