Homemade Worcestershire Sauce Recipe | Easy to Make Yourself
You’ve probably had a taste of bottled Worcestershire sauce, and you’re probably already using it in your recipes.
Worcestershire sauce has a unique flavor that adds a great depth to dishes. It tastes tangy, savory, sweet, and salty (umami) and it’s great in marinades, dressings, and sauces.
What if I told you could easily make your own homemade Worcestershire sauce with ingredients from your own kitchen?
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Make you own Worcestershire sauce
It’s definitely possible to make Worcestershire sauce at home.
It will add a freshness and depth to your dishes that you couldn’t get from the bottled sauces.
This Worcestershire sauce recipe is a great way to make your own classic flavor-packed condiment at home.
It’s surprisingly simple and comes together in about 5 minutes and the secret is the apple cider vinegar which gives it a fruity flavor.
Homemade Worcestershire Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp anchovy paste
- 1/2 tbsp tamarind paste
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp mustard powder
Instructions
- In a saucepan combine all the ingredients.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Simmer the sauce for about 1 minute.
- Remove from the heat and let the Worcestershire sauce cool completely.
Cooking tips
There’s not much cooking involved in this recipe, but the key is to get all of the ingredients to a boil and then reduce the heat immediately.
Once you’ve done that, your homemade Worcestershire sauce is ready to be used in various dishes.
If the anchovy paste is too strong for you, feel free to reduce the amount or leave it out altogether. The sauce will still have a great flavor without it.
If the sauce is too runny, you can always add a pinch of cornstarch to thicken it. However, be careful not to add too much or the consistency of your sauce will be compromised.
Looking for inspiration? These are the top 5 Best Recipes with Worcestershire Sauce to Try
Substitutes and variations
Adding a few drops of hot sauce or cayenne pepper increases the sauce’s spiciness.
For a smoky flavor, add 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika or chipotle powder.
If you don’t have mustard powder, you can also use 1/4 teaspoon of dry mustard instead.
For a sweeter version, add 1 teaspoon of honey or maple syrup instead of the brown sugar. Alternately, you can combine the brown sugar with a small amount of honey.
In this recipe, I’m using apple cider vinegar because it gives the sauce a fruity flavor. But if you don’t have any, white vinegar will work as well.
As for the soy sauce, I recommend a regular soy sauce like Kikkoman Soy Sauce because it has a balanced flavor, but you can also use tamari or light soy sauce.
For a gluten-free version, use tamari soy sauce.
You can also use fish sauce instead of anchovy paste. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
How to serve and eat
This homemade Worcestershire sauce is great for marinades, dressings, and dipping sauces. It’s also delicious on burgers, steaks, and fish dishes.
Simply drizzle it over your favorite meal for a delicious kick of flavor. If you’re having fried foods, like fish and chips, it’s a great addition to the dipping sauce.
The flavor of this Worcestershire sauce is bold and complex so a little bit goes a long way.
You can also use this homemade Worcestershire sauce as a base for other sauces.
For example, you can add it to sour cream or mayonnaise for a tangy dip or dressing. It also makes a great addition to barbecue sauce.
Then if you’re looking for more flavorful marinades, soups, and stews, this sauce is a great way to add some depth and complexity.
You can also mix it with olive oil, garlic, and herbs for an easy marinade.
Worcestershire sauce can also be used to make cocktails like the classic Bloody Mary. Simply add a few tablespoons to tomato juice and you’ve got a delicious drink!
How to store leftovers
Store the Worcestershire sauce in an airtight container or bottle. It will keep for up to two weeks.
You can also freeze the sauce for up to 3 months.
How long does homemade Worcestershire sauce last?
Homemade Worcestershire sauce lasts about 2 to 4 weeks as long as it’s stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Bottled Worcestershire sauce from the store lasts 1.5 to 3 years in the pantry or fridge, even if opened.
Worcestershire sauce is a great condiment to keep in the kitchen. It’s versatile and adds delicious flavor to a variety plus it lasts forever if you don’t end up using it all quickly.
Also read: How long does homemade teriyaki sauce last?
Similar dishes
The older, more traditional Worcestershire recipe requires more than a year of cask fermentation and includes a significant amount of fresh fish that slowly ferments and breaks down.
Therefore, the manufacturing process was extremely long.
To make a traditional recipe you can let the anchovy paste ferment with raisins and similar condiments for about 1 months then drain and obtain an “authentic” style Worcestershire sauce.
If you’re looking for a similar sauce that’s quicker and easier to make, you could also try making Homemade Soy Sauce or Fish Sauce.
Both of these seasoning sauces have a similar flavor profile and can be made with ingredients you may already have in your kitchen.
Another similar condiment is soy ginger sauce. It has a similar umami flavor and a slightly spicy kick. This sauce can be used as a dip or marinade for meats, vegetables, and sushi.
Conclusion
Worcestershire sauce is a condiment with a unique and complex flavor profile. It’s perfect for adding depth and umami to dishes like burgers, steaks, and fish.
Plus, it’s versatile and can be used as a marinade or in dressings and sauces.
Whenever you’re unsure about what to do with it, just add a few drops to enhance the flavor of your dishes.
Making homemade Worcestershire sauce is easy because there’s minimal cooking involved, and it lasts in the fridge for up to a month so you can make a big batch and save it for later.
Read next: Worcestershire vs. Soy Sauce | When to Use Which [Differences Explained]
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Joost Nusselder, the founder of Bite My Bun is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with Japanese food at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.
