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What Is Oyster Sauce?
Oyster Sauce is a dark brown sauce made from the reduction of oysters and other ingredients like soy sauce, sugar, salt, and sometimes garlic, and onion. The texture is relatively thick and gooey, and the flavors are savory, slightly pungent, and sweet. It’s a popular condiment used in Asian cuisines, especially in Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese cooking.
How To Cook With Oyster Sauce
Because of its intense flavor, a little goes a long way! Oyster sauce is well known for its deep umami flavor, which adds richness and depth to dishes.
It’s often used together with garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. It can be used as a seasoning for stir-fries, noodles, and vegetables. It can also be used as a glaze for barbecued pork (char siu), or as part of a dipping sauce for dumplings, or drizzled over finished dishes for extra flavor.
Here are some recipes using this famous Asian condiment:
- Bok Choy with Garlic and Oyster Sauce
- Chinese Broccoli with Garlic Sauce
- Bihon Pancit
- Chinese Restaurant Style Stir Fried Napa Cabbage
Storage
- An unopened bottle of oyster sauce will last 18 to 24 months, stored in a cool, dry place such as your pantry.
- Once opened, leave the sauce in the refrigerator. It should be used within 6 months to maximize its flavor and reduce the risk of harmful bacteria.
Substitutions
While oyster sauce has a unique flavor, you can substitute it with a combination of soy sauce and a bit of sugar to mimic its savory-sweet taste. However, keep in mind that this substitution may not provide the exact flavor profile you are looking for. Here are other options to choose from:
Vegan and shellfish allergies: Opt for a vegetarian option made with mushrooms, such as the Wan Ja Shan brand.
Hoisin sauce. Hoisin sauce is made from fermented soybean paste, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and various spices, which may include chili peppers, fennel seeds, and Chinese five-spice powder. It’s sweet, rich in umami, and a little tangy. Although it’s not as pungent and sweet, it’s still makes a good substitute.
Kecap Manis. Kecap manis is an Indonesian sweet soy sauce made of soybeans, palm sugar, water, salt, and sometimes additional spices such as garlic or star anise. The texture is thicker than regular soy sauce and has a caramel-like sweetness, and some umami.
Soy sauce. Soy sauce has the salty and umami elements, without the sweetness and funky taste.
Fish sauce. Fish sauce has the pungent and salty elements, without the sweetness and complexity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional oyster sauce is typically not gluten-free, as it contains soy sauce, which is made from fermented soybeans and wheat. However, there are gluten-free versions available that are made instead with gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
Lee Kum Kee’s Premium Oyster Sauce wins for its complexity and depth of flavor. Once we discovered this brand we have not been able to switch to another one. It’s simply magic in a bottle!
It’s generally not recommended to use any condiment past its expiration date, as its quality and flavor may degrade over time.
