6 Salty Anchovy Paste Substitutes for Rich Umami Flavor

The best substitutes for anchovy paste deliver the same bold, salty depth without overpowering dishes. Some options retain a briny umami flavor, while others bring a milder, well-rounded taste.

The right choice depends on the level of saltiness and intensity needed. A few alternatives dissolve seamlessly into sauces, while some provide a textured bite.

Many options enhance dressings, pasta, and seafood-based recipes. Here are 6 great replacements for anchovy paste that work beautifully in various dishes:

Soy Sauce

Soy sauce serves as an excellent alternative to anchovy paste, delivering a savory umami flavor that enhances various dishes. Its widespread availability makes it a go-to choice when you're in need of that distinct salty kick without the hassle of sourcing anchovy paste.

While soy sauce differs significantly in texture from its fishy counterpart, this can be adjusted depending on your recipe's requirements. When crafting marinara or similar sauces, combining soy sauce with cornflour can provide the necessary thickness and consistency for your dish without overpowering other flavors.

Just keep the quantity of cornflour minimal to maintain balance while achieving the desired result seamlessly.

Kalamata Olives/Tapenade

Kalamata olives are a fantastic alternative to anchovy paste, known for their unique flavor profile and rich texture. With a softer flesh than most varieties, these olives can be effortlessly chopped or blended into your dishes, enhancing both taste and appearance.

The light pinkish-purple hue of the flesh adds an appealing color that contrasts beautifully with darker ingredients in your meal. When transformed into tapenade, a mixture of crushed olives with oil and seasonings, they deliver a burst of Mediterranean flair without the brininess associated with anchovies.

You’ll find kalamata olives provide both convenience and depth to various recipes while keeping preparation simple and straightforward.

Seaweed

Seaweed is a fantastic alternative to anchovy paste, delivering a unique salty and oceanic flavor profile. Nori, the most accessible variety, transforms dishes with its distinct taste and can be found as dried sheets that you easily shred or sprinkle over meals.

This versatile ingredient isn’t just for sushi; it lends itself beautifully to various recipes. Creating nori tsukudani involves simmering shredded nori in stock, dashi works wonders, with added soy sauce and other seasonings like sake or mirin until reduced into a rich condiment.

The resulting mixture serves as an ideal substitute, enhancing your culinary creations without missing the depth of anchovies.

Miso Paste

Miso paste serves as an excellent alternative to anchovy paste, bringing a unique salty profile that enhances various dishes. With roots in traditional Japanese cuisine, this thick and dense paste has gained popularity beyond its homeland, especially in the United States.

Its flavor derives from fermented soybeans seasoned with salt and kōji, which transforms it into a rich ingredient perfect for adding depth to recipes. While miso is drier than the oily texture of anchovy paste, you can easily adjust consistency by incorporating some oil if needed.

This substitute not only mimics thickness but also introduces an umami essence to your meals without overwhelming them. Using miso allows you to explore new flavor dimensions while achieving satisfying results in your cooking endeavors.

Capers

Capers stand out as a surprising alternative to anchovy paste, bringing their unique tangy flavor profile into the mix. These little buds from the caper bush are harvested before they bloom and pack an impressive punch in terms of taste, often enhancing dishes like pickles or pasta.

When preserved in jars, you can use them straight from the container without any extra preparation; just crush them if desired for a finer texture. The briny and umami notes mimic those found in anchovy paste beautifully.

Their soft consistency resembles that of traditional anchovies while adding an exciting twist to your recipes.

Umeboshi Paste

Umeboshi paste serves as an excellent substitute for anchovy paste, boasting a unique flavor profile and appealing pink hue. Crafted from pickled plums, this versatile ingredient is commonly found in Japanese cuisine as a side dish or dipping sauce, yet it shines when used to enhance various recipes.

With its intensely salty taste, umeboshi paste effectively mimics the saltiness of anchovy while providing a comparable texture. Unlike the oily nature of traditional anchovy paste, this fruit-based alternative retains moisture without sacrificing consistency; just remember to drain any excess water before use.

Adding a touch of oil can help achieve your desired thickness in dishes where you seek that familiar richness.