Best Substitute for Browning Sauce (7 Options)

Browning sauce provides a rich, deep color and flavor to gravies, stews, and even some Asian sauces. With it being such an important ingredient in many traditional delicacies, it’s hard to imagine running out, but sometimes you do. Luckily, I’ve got some of the best substitutes for browning sauce. 

You can substitute browning sauce with Worcestershire sauce, teriyaki sauce, and molasses. But this isn’t all. I’ve got even more for you to discover. So, let’s jump right in!

🤷 What is Browning Sauce?

Browning sauce is a dark, savory liquid that can be used to add depth and richness to soups, stews, gravies, and sauces. It’s made by caramelizing sugar and adding a mixture of seasonings, such as light soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and vinegar.

🧑‍🍳 How to Make Browning Sauce

To make browning sauce, start by heating a cup of sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it caramelizes into a deep brown color. Be cautious to avoid burning. Once the desired color is achieved, carefully add 1 cup of hot water while continuing to stir. Allow it to simmer for a few minutes until the sugar is completely dissolved and the sauce thickens slightly. Once the browning sauce reaches a thickness you like, let it cool before transferring it to a bottle or container for storage.

📌 How to Use Browning Sauce

Here are some tips on how to use browning sauce in your cooking:

1. Browning meat: Apply a small amount of browning sauce to the meat before cooking to enhance the color and flavor. You can also add browning sauce to the pan drippings to make a quick and easy sauce.
2. Enhancing sauces: Add a small amount of browning sauce to sauces like tomato, barbecue, or teriyaki sauce to deepen the flavor and color.
3. Seasoning vegetables: Brush vegetables like roasted carrots, potatoes, or Brussels sprouts with browning sauce to add a rich, caramelized flavor.
4. Marinades: Use browning sauce as a base for marinades to add depth of flavor to meats and vegetables.

💡 Best Substitutes for Browning Sauce

Homemade Browning Sauce

If you prefer homemade ingredients, making your own homemade sauce is a great option, as it’s easy to make and requires only a few ingredients. Here is a simple recipe for homemade browning sauce:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Combine the granulated sugar and water in saucepan.
2. Place over medium heat and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
3. Add the salt to the sugar-water mixture and stir until it’s well incorporated.
4. Continue to cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally
5. Adjust the heat if necessary to maintain a steady simmer.
6. Once the browning sauce reaches your desired color (typically a dark amber), remove it from the heat immediately. Remember that it will continue to darken slightly as it cools.
7. Let the browning sauce cool down for a few minutes before transferring it to a clean, airtight container or bottle.

Worcestershire Sauce

1 teaspoon of browning sauce = 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce

Worcestershire sauce is a very popular substitute for browning sauce made by blending vinegar, molasses, anchovies, garlic, onion, tamarind, and other spices to create a flavor that’s both sweet and savory. The sauce also has a slight tanginess that can add the perfect tangy twist to dishes like marinades, stews, and gravies. Though it’s not as thick as some sauces, there are some ways you can thicken sauce to just how you like it.

A1 Sauce

1 teaspoon of browning sauce = 1 teaspoon of A1 sauce

A1 sauce provides a rich, tangy flavor that compliments lots of dishes. Its blend of savory ingredients, including tomato puree, vinegar, raisin paste, and spices, is a true taste bud delight. But the sauce does have a slightly sweet flavor that may not be the best option for dishes that require a more savory taste. Like Worcestershire sauce, it’s not as thick as some sauces, which means that adjusting the amount of liquid in your recipe may be necessary to attain the desired consistency.

Teriyaki Sauce

1 teaspoon of browning sauce = 1 teaspoon of teriyaki sauce

Teriyaki sauce is a sweet and savory sauce that’s a popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine. Knowing how to thicken teriyaki sauce using soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar is what gives this sauce its iconic thickness and stickiness. This consistency finds use in stir-fries, marinades, and sauces for pork chops. Teriyaki sauce is slightly thicker and sweeter than browning sauce, so you’ll want to add it in smaller amounts. If you can’t find any, though, you can use teriyaki sauce substitutes instead.

Barbeque Sauce

1 teaspoon of browning sauce = 1 teaspoon of barbeque sauce

If you want to add a delicious sweet and tangy swap for browning sauce in recipes, then barbeque sauce is just what you need. It uses the best techniques to thicken BBQ sauce for that perfect dipping and smothering consistency. The sauce combines tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, and spices for a tasty sweetness and tanginess. You can customize the amount of sugar and vinegar to suit your preference or add other spices, such as garlic powder or cumin, for a better flavor.

Molasses

1 teaspoon of browning sauce = 1 teaspoon of molasses

Molasses is a popular alternative for browning sauce due to its similar thick consistency and sweet flavor. It’s made from sugar cane juice that has been boiled down to create a thick, syrupy liquid. The sauce packs a great source of iron, calcium, and potassium but is much sweeter than browning sauce, so you’ll need to adjust the amount used. You can mix it with equal parts soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce for a better flavor. This will help to mimic the savory, umami flavor of browning sauce.

Gravy Powder

1 teaspoon of browning sauce = 1 1/2 teaspoon of gravy powder

Gravy powder is a common substitute for recipes requiring a great thickening agent. It’s made with a blend of flour, cornstarch, and seasonings for a delicious, savory flavor. Cornstarch and flour are great ways to thicken gravy and give it its iconic pouring consistency. It’s commonly used to make gravy but can also be used as a thickener swap for browning sauce in stews, casseroles, and sauces. It’s easy to find, relatively inexpensive, and easy to use.

🧐 FAQs