Worcestershire Sauce vs Steak Sauce & A1 | Differences Explained

Author: Joost Nusselder, author of The Essential Japanese meal planner cookbook Updated December 26, 2022

The secret to a tasty steak is the sauce used for seasoning and marinade. Without a good sauce, the steak can end up tasting bland and unappetizing.

Sauces, particularly steak sauce, are meant to improve the flavor of the steak and add an extra layer of flavor.

There are a few popular sauces that are regularly used on steak, and two of the most commonly used options are steak sauce, especially the A1 Heinz brand and Worcestershire sauce which is known for a savory umami flavor.

So, you’re probably wondering what the difference between these sauces is?

Worcestershire sauce is savory brown liquid condiment made with vinegar and anchovies that originates in Britain. Steak sauce is a tomato-based condiment, usually brown in color with a spicy flavor. A1 is a popular brand of steak sauce which tastes salty and sour.

In this guide, I’m explaining the differences between Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce and the A1 brand steak sauce.

You’ll find out the different flavors, ingredients and ways to use these sauces.

Check out our new cookbook

Bitemybun's family recipes with complete meal planner and recipe guide.

Try it out for free with Kindle Unlimited:

Read for free

What’s the difference between Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce and A1 sauce?

To understand the difference between each sauce, we have to look at flavors, ingredients, and uses.

The main difference is that Worcestershire sauce is fermented and contains anchovies. Steak sauce and A1 sauce are not fermented and contain a tomato puree and no fish.

First let’s look at the flavors of each sauce:

• Worcestershire sauce: umami (savory), salty, slightly pungent from the fermentation process, slightly sour, and mildly sweet
• Steak sauce: tomato-based, salty, slightly sweet flavor
• A1 steak sauce: salty and sour with a hint of sweetness

Worcestershire sauce has a robust umami flavor since it’s made with fermented anchovies, tamarind, molasses, garlic, onions and other spices.

Steak sauce is made with tomato paste and has a tangy flavor with a hint of sweetness.

Steak sauce may actually contain Worcestershire sauce as one of its ingredients.

The A1 sauce produced by Brand & co and Heinz has a mix of salty and sweet flavors with a hint of vinegar.

Here is a great steak recipe to try: Teppanyaki Sirloin Steak with Garlic

Ingredients

Ingredients may vary depending on the brand.

Worcestershire sauce

• Barley malt vinegar
• Spirit vinegar
• Molasses
• Sugar
• Salt
• Anchovies
• Tamarind extract
• Onions
• Garlic
• Spices
• Flavorings

Steak sauce

• Ketchup
• Dijon mustard
• Vinegar
• Worcestershire sauce
• Honey
• Hot sauce
• Garlic
• Onion
• Spices
• Horseradish (optional)

A1 sauce

The ingredients in American A1 sauce vary from those in the original British A1 sauce but here are base ingredients.

• Tomato Puree
• Vinegar
• Corn Syrup
• Salt
• Raisin Paste
• Crushed Orange Puree
• Spice
• Dried Garlic
• Caramel Color
• Dried Onions
• Potassium Sorbate
• Xanthan Gum
• Celery Seed

Uses

Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce and A1 steak sauce are all used to season and marinate meat.

What sets them apart is that Worcestershire sauce has a strong umami flavor, steak sauce is thicker and has a tomato base so it tastes tangy. A1 is a brand of steak sauce with a tart flavor.

Worcestershire sauce is fermented and can be used in salad dressings, sauces, marinades and as a flavorful seasoning. It is also used as for cocktails like the Bloody Mary.

Steak sauce is a condiment that’s used to top steaks, burgers, and other meats.

Steak sauce is thicker than Worcestershire sauce and has a tomato base so it’s perfect for grilling, barbecuing and as a condiment. It’s also used for basting meat and it gives a delicious flavor.

A1 sauce is usually used as a condiment or added to dishes as a seasoning. It is used to top burgers, steak and other meats.

It can also be added to stews, soups and sauces for a depth of flavor.

What is Worcestershire sauce?

Worcestershire sauce is a savory condiment made from a base of vinegar and anchovies. The color is brown and it has a thin, runny consistency.

It is an essential ingredient in Caesar salad dressing, Bloody Marys, and steak tartare.

The unique flavor comes from ingredients like anchovies, molasses, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, tamarind extract, Worcestershire powder, and chili powder.

It is a bit sweet, a little sour, and a lot savory.

Worcestershire sauce is very versatile and can be used in dips, marinades, sauces and even as an ingredient in some cocktails.

It adds a unique savory and tangy taste. It’s also fermented, making it a great source of beneficial bacteria for gut health.

What is A1 steak sauce?

A1 steak sauce is a brand of steak sauce. The sauce is manufactured by Brand & co in the United Kingdom and Kraft Heinz in the USA.

A1 sauce is commonly just referred to as “steak sauce” because it’s so common in the UK.

The sauce is made with tomato puree, raisin paste, malt vinegar, dates, treacle, tamarind extract and spice. It has a tart flavor and pairs well with steaks.

A1 sauce is a common Worcestershire sauce substitute that is made with fewer ingredients but still has a taste that is extremely close even though it lacks the umami taste of anchovies.

With a variety of spices, it provides the salty, sour, and the sweet, which might help you make up for the qualities Worcestershire sauce lacks. The flavor of A1 sauce is best described as a bit tart with a sour aftertaste.

What is steak sauce?

Tomatoes, molasses, vinegar, spices, dates, and occasionally but not normally) anchovies are used to make steak sauce, which is thick saucy brown condiment.

Each brand has some variations, but they all generally have a sweet, tangy flavor with a peppery undertone.

Steak sauce has a thicker consistency than Worcestershire sauce and works well as a condiment for meat dishes, whereas Worcestershire sauce is intended to add a concentrated, umami flavor to a recipe.

This is the fundamental distinction between steak sauce and Worcestershire sauce.

Steak sauce has a tomato foundation, whereas Worcestershire has vinegar and tamarind paste as the base, which is another difference between the two sauces.

The main difference between steak sauce and Worcestershire is that steak sauce contains tomato paste while Worcestershire does not and it lacks anchovies.

Most people agree Worcestershire sauce has a more complex flavor with a blend of spices that include garlic, tamarind, anchovies and molasses.

The combination provides a unique taste that makes it perfect to add flavor to salads and even cocktails.

Unlike steak sauce, Worcestershire is not as thick and it is slightly sweet with a hint of sourness.

So, while Worcestershire sauce and A1 steak sauce share some similarities in flavor, there are many differences as well.

If you’re looking for a substitute that has similar flavors to Worcestershire, then A1 steak sauce may be the best choice.

Can Worcestershire sauce be used as a steak sauce?

Yes, Worcestershire sauce can be used as a steak sauce.

Since Worcestershire sauce is more concentrated and runnier it is typically used as a meat marinade.

The meat is placed in a ziplock bag with Worcestershire sauce and other seasonings before being cooked.

The meat is left to marinate for several hours or overnight to absorb the Worcestershire sauce’s umami flavor.

Find out what are other great & unique combinations with Worcestershire sauce in the kitchen

When used as a steak sauce, more of the Worcestershire sauce is added to the meat to provide extra flavor.

It can also be drizzled on top of the finished dish for an even richer flavor. However, if you’re looking for a traditional steak sauce

However, it is typically not used due to the lack of thickness and its more intense flavor.

If you want to use Worcestershire sauce as a steak sauce, it’s best to mix with other ingredients like ketchup or tomato paste for added thickness and sweetness.

This will help balance out the sour and savory notes that Worcestershire sauce naturally provides.

Is Worchester sauce the same as steak sauce?

No, Worcestershire sauce and steak sauce are not the same.

Worcestershire sauce is a savory condiment made from vinegar, molasses, anchovies, tamarind extract and spices.

It has a tart flavor and pairs well with steaks.

Steak sauce is a thick, saucy brown condiment made from tomatoes, molasses, vinegar and spices.

It is sweeter than Worcestershire sauce and has a thick texture. It is commonly used as a condiment for steaks, burgers and other types of meat dishes.

You can tell these two sauces are not the same by looking at the consistency.

Worcestershire sauce is thinner than steak sauce and does not have the same sweetness or thickness.

Can you use Worcestershire sauce instead of A1 sauce?

Yes you can but since Worcestershire sauce doesn’t contain tomatoes or ketchup, it tastes different.

Also, if you’re using a Worcestershire sauce with anchovies, it will have a fishy flavor.

To achieve the same sweetness and thickness of A1 sauce, you’ll need to mix Worcestershire sauce with a 1/2 cup of ketchup.

Popular brands

A1 Original Sauce, Heinz 57, Texas Roadhouse Steak Sauce, and HP Sauce are all excellent options if you’re looking to try a steak sauce for the first time.

Lea & Perrins, Heinz, and French’s are all good options for anyone wanting to try Worcestershire sauce.

You can get Worcestershire sauce and steak sauce at any supermarket or online store (Amazon).

Final thoughts

In conclusion, Worcestershire sauce and A1 steak sauce are different condiments with unique flavors.

While both can be used as a substitute for one another, it’s important to keep in mind the differences between them such as flavor profile, consistency and ingredients.

Steak sauce is a great alternative to Worcestershire sauce as it contains similar flavors however it lacks anchovies and instead contains a tomato paste base.

In terms of flavor, Worcestershire sauce is more complex with a blend of spices, garlic and tamarind which gives it a classic savory taste while A1 steak sauce is tart with a sour aftertaste.

So, next time you’re ready to fire up the BBQ, make sure you pick the right condiment for your meat to ensure a delicious outcome!

Also read: Chinese hoisin sauce vs teriyaki sauce – Are they alike?

Check out our new cookbook

Bitemybun's family recipes with complete meal planner and recipe guide.

Try it out for free with Kindle Unlimited:

Read for free

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.