• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Prepare + Nourish logo
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Worcestershire Sauce Recipe

    Sep 2, 2021 · 20 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy Worcestershire Sauce recipe is recreated with real food ingredients making it Paleo and Whole30. Use Worcestershire Sauce to enhance the flavor of your favorite dishes.

    Homemade worcestershire sauce in a small weck jar with white tie and plant in the background

     

    Worcestershire Sauce Recipe

    Traditionally, Worcestershire (pronounced "woo-ster-sher") Sauce was a fermented brew containing fish sauce, malt vinegar and spices. The ingredients were set to mature for 18 months before being bottled in Worcester, England, where the exact recipe is kept a secret.

    The old school version is fermented in barrels and slowly ferments, releasing active enzymes.

    These days, there are many brands of Worcestershire Sauce on the market with varying flavors and consistency. This Homemade Worcestershire Sauce is free from soy, gluten, and corn syrup.

    Chances are, you probably have a bottle of this condiment in the back of your refrigerator right now. But if you want to clean it up and give a shot at homemade version, this is it!

    This homemade Worcestershire Sauce recipe allows you to make this condiment at home with ingredients that you feel good about. But if you are looking for something more traditional with a fermented tang, this isn't it. This recipe can be made in 15 minutes with dried spices and seasonings for convenience.

    What is Worcestershire Sauce?

    This richly flavored sauce lies somewhere between a condiment and seasoning. The main ingredients are vinegar, anchovies, tamarind, molasses, garlic, onions, and other spices and seasonings.

    Making homemade Worcestershire Sauce can seem intimidating but with simpler ingredient swaps, it's actually quite easy to make.

    And even though this Worcestershire Sauce substitute comes short of the probiotic-rich craft, it's still a much better option than store bought sauces that are full of soy and corn syrup.

    Healthy homemade worcestershire sauce in a small weck jar and measuring spoon

    History of Worcestershire Sauce

    Worcestershire Sauce dates back to early 19th century when British Lord Sandys tasted it during his travels to Bengal. It's believed he appointed a pair of chemists to replicate the flavor. John Lea and William Perrins attempted to recreate the same flavor but were deeply disappointed with the results. They set the jars in the cellar and forgot about them only to discover them years later under a thick layer of dust.

    Turns out, the unintentional aging process created a rich and savory flavor that we now know as umami.  The two partners bottled more and before long, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce spread throughout Europe and across the world. (source)

    How can I use Worcestershire Sauce?

    Worcestershire Sauce is one of those magical flavor-enhancing condiment with many uses. It can fix the most bland of recipes. A splash of this magic concoction in a soup or chili may just save the day.

    Additionally, Worcestershire Sauce is also great in homemade burgers and as a tenderizer for tougher cuts of meat like roasts. It's a must in Caesar salad dressing and even adds great flavor to a Bloody Mary cocktail.

    Healthy worcestershire sauce in a small jar with white background

    Ingredients in Worcestershire Sauce

    Homemade Worcestershire Sauce is pleasantly forgiving since there are so many depths of flavor. But let's look at the ingredients.

    • Vinegar: most recipes you see online have white distilled vinegar but here we use apple cider vinegar. The flavor of apple cider vinegar and the health benefits outweigh its white counterpart.
    • Coconut Aminos: this is a great soy sauce alternative. Prized for its high nutrient content, coconut aminos is often used in most cases as soy sauce. It's gluten-free and soy-free and adds great flavor to this Worcestershire Sauce.
    • Sweeteners: Molasses and Coconut Sugar: these sweeteners add great depth of flavor and richness to the Worcestershire sauce. Date paste works great as a Whole30 alternative. If making this Whole30 compliant, use only 2 tablespoons of date paste in place of molasses and omit the coconut sugar.
    • Anchovy Paste: this is gives the Worcestershire Sauce that umami flavor. In my opinion, it is necessary to include anchovy paste in Worcestershire sauce for best flavor. However, if making vegan Worcestershire sauce, just omit the anchovy paste.
    • Spices and Seasonings: these include ground garlic, onion, mustard seed, ginger, cinnamon, and salt and pepper. Some recipes call for fresh ingredients but in the interest of keeping this simple, dried work exceptionally well in this recipe.

    How to Make Homemade Worcestershire Sauce

    This recipe is so simple. Don't let the ingredient list intimidate you. You probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry already.

    Step 1. Combine all ingredients.

    Add vinegar, coconut aminos, molasses and coconut sugar (or date paste), anchovy paste, and all the spices and seasonings into a small pot.

    All the dry ingredients added to vinegar and coconut aminos in Worcestershire Sauce recipe

    Step 2. Bring mixture to a boil.

    Bring the sauce mixture to a boil, whisking regularly. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for approximately 15 minutes.

    Homemade worcestershire sauce gently simmering in a medium saucepan

    Step 3. Transfer to bottle.

    Transfer the Worcestershire Sauce to a jar or bottle and allow to cool completely. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

    This Worcestershire Sauce gets better with age so the longer you allow all the ingredients to meld, the flavorful it is.

    Worctershire Sauce is poured into a small weck jar

    Common Questions for Homemade Worcestershire Sauce

    Q. Is Worcestershire Sauce gluten-free?

    A. Making homemade Worcestershire Sauce guarantees clean, wholesome ingredients. Using coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, you eliminate all gluten and soy in this Worcestershire Sauce.

    Q. Is Worcestershire Sauce vegan?

    A. Anchovy paste is the only non-vegan ingredient in this Worcestershire Sauce recipe. Just omit the paste to make it vegan compliant.

    Q. What are some Worcestershire Sauce substitutes?

    A. It is sometimes necessary to completely avoid the use of Worcestershire Sauce. In those cases consider these alternatives: balsamic vinegar or glaze, coconut aminos, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and hoisin sauce.

    Small weck jar of homemade soy-free Worcestershire Sauce

    Worcestershire Sauce Recipe

    Anya @ Prepare & Nourish
    This easy Worcestershire Sauce recipe is recreated with real food ingredients making it Paleo and Whole30. Use Worcestershire Sauce to enhance the flavor of your favorite dishes.
    3.94 from 16 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Condiment
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24 servings
    Calories 18 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
    • ¼ cup coconut aminos
    • 2 tablespoons molasses
    • 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
    • 2 tablespoons anchovy paste
    • 2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground mustard seed
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

    Instructions
     

    • Combine all ingredients in a medium pot and stir to combine.
      Worcestershire Ingredients in a saucepan
    • Bring mixture to a boil, stirring regularly. Reduce heat to medium and cook for approximately 15 minutes.
      Simmering gently ingredients for Worcestershire Sauce
    • Pour into a bottle and store in the refrigerator. Shake well before using.
      Homemade worcestershire sauce in a small jar with a small tie wrapped around

    Notes

    • For Whole30: use 2 tablespoons of date paste in place of molasses and coconut sugar
    • For Vegan: omit anchovy paste
    • Recipe makes 1 ½ cups.
    • Can be refrigerated for up to 6 months. Shake well before use.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 18kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 133mg | Potassium: 46mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg
    Nutrition Information
    The information shown is an estimate provided for your convenience by an online calculator. It should not be considered as a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our complete Nutritional Information Disclaimer.
    Keyword paleo sauce, Worcestershire sauce
    ©Prepare and Nourish • Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated but please do NOT screenshot or copy/paste complete recipes to websites or social media.
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Leave a comment below and share a photo on Instagram. Mention @prepareandnourish and be sure to tag #prepareandnourish!


    If you liked Worcestershire Sauce, please consider rating the recipe and leaving a comment below. ⇓

    Worcestershire Sauce Recipe - This incredibly flavorful condiment is recreated with real food ingredients and is paleo friendly. Use this Paleo Worcestershire Sauce in your favorite recipes or simply drizzle on top of steak for extra flavor. #paleo #soyfree

    Related posts:

    1. Worcestershire Sauce Recipe
    2. Homemade Buffalo Sauce
    3. How to Make Sriracha Mayo (5-minute Spicy Mayo Recipe)
    4. Simple House Salad Dressing (Paleo, Whole30, Low Carb)
    5. Easy Beef Liver Pâté Recipe (Keto, Paleo, Whole30, GAPS)
    6. Instant Pot Ribs Recipe (Paleo, Keto, Whole30)
    « Okroshka
    Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe »
    • Facebook
    • Email

    About Anya

    Sharing wholesome recipes using seasonal ingredients and simplified methods since 2014. My hope is you'll feel right at home in this online kitchen, where you'll find real food recipes for real families.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carol says

      June 01, 2017 at 6:09 am

      this looks good, is there a way to make it and let it ferment?

      Reply
      • Anya says

        June 01, 2017 at 5:44 pm

        I'm not certain, Carol. I would love to know too - so let me do some research. From what I read, malt vinegar is needed to ferment worcestershire sauce. You could try adding 1/4 cup of malt vinegar in place of same amount of ACV and see what happens.

        Reply
    2. Sweetpea says

      June 25, 2019 at 12:03 pm

      This sounds wonderful and definitely something I want to try. I have an allergy to mustard. Is there a good substitute? And if I make it for my vegetarian friends, what do you recommend for anchovies? The mustard is the biggest issue though. I really like your recipes and you have a lot of good information. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Anya says

        June 26, 2019 at 8:29 am

        Hi!
        Thank you for the kind word. Perhaps try subbing a paste made out of horseradish and turmeric together to replace mustard. But be careful, horseradish is much stronger than mustard so start low and work your way up. As far as anchovies go - I recently saw vegan "Umami" paste at Whole Foods. And though I haven't tried it myself - I read it has very similar salty, briny flavor. Worth a shot! Let me know how it turns out. 🙂

        Reply
        • Sweetpea says

          June 28, 2019 at 5:33 pm

          Thanks! I will check out the Umami paste. Unfortunately, I am also allergic to turmeric. Crazy isn't it? One man's medicine is another man's poison. Mustard is definitely one of those things that can't truly be replaced. Will try a little horseradish and make it with the anchovy paste for me. My friend can have mustard so we will make hers with the paste. Thank you again for your help!

          Reply
          • Anya says

            July 01, 2019 at 1:52 pm

            Oh gosh - so sorry! Yes - try them Umami paste. Enjoy! Let me know how it goes. 🙂

            Reply
    3. Autumn says

      July 19, 2019 at 4:47 pm

      How long does this keep for in the refrigerator?

      Reply
      • Anya says

        July 19, 2019 at 5:53 pm

        Months. I would say 3 months is pretty safe. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Sarah says

      November 13, 2019 at 9:19 am

      Why does the the title say it's Whole 30 when it contains 2 kinds of sugar? It is paleo but not W30.

      Reply
      • Anya says

        November 14, 2019 at 8:48 pm

        You are correct, Sarah! Thanks for pointing that out. Feel free to omit molasses and coconut sugar.

        Reply
    5. Josh Kleckner says

      July 20, 2020 at 7:25 pm

      Hi.

      Thanks for this recipe. Have you considered possibly using date syrup in place of the molasses to make it more whole30 friendly?

      Reply
      • Anya says

        August 05, 2020 at 10:20 am

        Hi Josh,
        That is a great idea! Thanks for the suggestion.

        Reply
        • Mel says

          September 06, 2020 at 4:11 am

          What would you sub for coconut aminos? I can’t have coconut.

          Reply
          • Mack says

            December 14, 2020 at 6:00 pm

            It would no longer be Paleo, but can you have Tamari or Soy Sauce? That would be similar in taste.

            Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi there!

    Anya at a farm

    Welcome to Prepare + Nourish!

    I'm Anya and it is my joy to share wholesome recipes using seasonal ingredients and simplified methods. My hope is you'll feel right at home in this online kitchen, where you'll find real food recipes for real families.

    More about me →

    Looking for something?

    Trending Recipes

    • How to Make and Freeze Hash Browns
    • DIY Soaking & Sprouting Lid for Mason Jars
    • Crustless Skillet Pizza (Low-Carb, Primal, GAPS) +VIDEO
    • Gluten-Free French Crêpes Recipe (with Cassava Flour)
    • 3 Ingredient Bedtime Gummies (Paleo, GAPS)
    • Easy Coconut Flour Banana Muffins Recipe

    GRASS-FED COLLAGEN & GELATIN PRODUCTS

    Collagen

    • Home
    • About Me
    • Kitchen Help
    • Natural Living
    • Recipes
    • Policies

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    About Me

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    Terms of Use

    Newsletter

    Sign up for emails and updates!

    Social

    Instagram

    Facebook

    Pinterest

    Youtube

    Copyright © 2021 Prepare + Nourish

    • Save
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook