Vegan Substitute For Anchovies | The Top 8 Options
Veganism is a lifestyle choice that has become more popular in recent years. For many, it extends their belief in environmental sustainability and animal rights.
But for some, it’s also a way to improve their health with a diet rich in plant-based foods. It sounds like the perfect solution: You’re avoiding meat and dairy products (and maybe even eggs!), so what could be easier than giving them up?
The truth is, going vegan as a beginner is not easy. You’re missing out on all kinds of delicious foods—including anchovies! But don’t give up yet! There are plenty of ways to make your transition as smooth as possible, and we’re here to tell you exactly how to do that.
What Is Anchovy?
Anchovies are small, silvery fish that have been around for thousands of years—used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Anchovies are one of the most popular types of fish in Mediterranean Europe because they have a mild flavor that goes well with most other foods.
If you’ve ever been to a seafood restaurant, anchovies are an essential ingredient for many dishes. They add a salty, savory flavor to soups and sauces. Because of the Anchovies’ mild flavor, We also use Anchovy paste as a spread on toast or sandwiches to enhance the overall taste.
In addition to being eaten as food, anchovies are also used in fish bait and for making fish oils. In fact, the primary use of anchovies is as a food additive—they are used in canned food products worldwide.
Vegan Substitute For Anchovies
1. Nutritional Yeast
Try nutritional yeast if you’re craving a salty, tangy flavor and aren’t a fan of anchovies! It’s the perfect substitute for the beloved anchovy. Nutritional yeast is made by culturing yeast with salt and water.
The result is a powder with a cheesy, slightly nutty flavor and is often used to add more protein to vegan dishes. It also provides many of the same benefits as fish oil supplements, including activating your body’s vitamin B12 and vitamin D.
Nutritional yeast can be found in many supermarkets, health food stores, or online. You can find it in the natural foods aisle or aisle where you’d find various types of nuts or seeds. And the best part is that nutritional yeast has a great shelf life, so once purchased a bottle, it will last up to 2 years.
2. Seaweed
If you’re looking for vegan anchovies, we can’t tell you how hard it is to find them. Many foods can be used as a replacement for anchovies—but the only one that tastes like the real thing is seaweed.
Seaweed contains a fishy flavor that some people don’t enjoy when eaten alone – but when combined with other spices or seasonings, it can become quite delicious.
If you are unfamiliar with seaweed, it may be better to start with dulse or nori, the most common types of seaweed used as an anchovy substitute for vegan. Many kinds of seaweed are available—and they all taste exactly like fish! They come in different colors, sizes, and textures, so you can choose whatever appeals to your palate best.
3. Soy Sauce
Want to get your anchovy fix without the fish?
Try soy sauce! Soy sauce can be used as a replacement for fish sauce or anchovy salt in recipes where you need a salty kick of flavor but don’t want to use an animal product (or at least not one that comes from an animal).
It will add depth to your dishes without removing their flavor profiles or textures. It also works in a pinch for that anchovy taste—especially when combined with other ingredients in this list. It has that umami taste you’re looking for.
You can use store brought soy sauce but many manufactures use ingredients that are not vegan-friendly to enhance the taste, in such case you can even prepare homemade vegan soy sauce.
4. Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce is a great choice when you’re looking for a vegan substitute for anchovies. It’s full of savory, salty flavor that will surely deliver the same satisfying kick you’d expect from anchovies.
The savory taste and texture go perfectly where you want to add some depth and dimension to a dish. One of the best things about tomato sauce is that it’s versatile—you can use it in various ways. You can use it as a base for your recipes or a condiment.
You can also use it as a dip or spread, which makes it perfect for topping sandwiches or other foods like French fries or crackers before serving them up to your guests at your next dinner party!
5. Marmite
If you’re looking for a vegan substitute for anchovy paste, you’ve come to the right place. Marmite is a British condiment that tastes like anchovies but is made by adding brewer’s yeast and salt to regular breadcrumbs.
It is an excellent source of umami flavor—and it’s pretty similar to nutritional yeast (which is made by fermenting molasses with an enzyme).
So not only does it have the same salty taste as anchovies, but it also adds that same savory richness that’s typically found in processed foods like canned tuna. If you’re searching for a better option than processed fish sauces or vegan “tuna” alternatives, start using marmite instead!
6. Sufu (Fermented Tofu)
If you’re looking for an alternative to anchovies in your dishes, there is a vegan substitute for them. It’s called sufu. Sufu is a variety of tofu fermented with salt, yeast, and rice.
Its strong, pungent aroma and flavor can be powerful enough to overwhelm most other flavors in the dish it’s used in. The texture is somewhat meaty, but it’s not as dense as meat and can be used in many different ways.
If you cook with sufu, I recommend doing so only if you’re going for a bold flavor—and even then, go light on it!
7. Mushroom
Mushrooms are an excellent substitute for anchovies because they have the same texture but do not taste like fish. They can be added to salads, soups, stews, different kinds of pasta, and many other dishes.
They have a similar texture to anchovies and can be used as the main ingredient or as an addition to other dishes. They also have a mild flavor that is often not noticed when added to other recipes.
8. Olives
You might be surprised to learn that olives are an excellent replacement for anchovies. Olives have a mild flavor with a hint of olive oil taste, so they work well as an alternative to anchovies.
They’re also packed with healthy fats and minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Olives also contain antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and help fight against cancer cells.
Conclusion
Going vegan is an excellent choice for many reasons. It’s a way to improve your health and reduces your carbon footprint while doing something meaningful for animals. But when trying to eliminate animal products from your diet, it can be hard to find replacements—especially if you’re not familiar with all the different options. And what if those substitutes aren’t as tasty as the real thing?
That’s where we come in. We’ve found these substitutes—which may not be exact replicas of anchovies, but they accurately replicate their saltiness and flavor profile—and we think they’ll make your life easier when you need to cook without meat or dairy products.
