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Worcestershire sauce

Sauces, pastes & condiments · Condiments

Worcestershire sauce

Thin, tangy English sauce of vinegar, molasses, tamarind and anchovy, used to sharpen and deepen savoury dishes.

Also called: worcester sauce, lea and perrins

29 recipes with it

Photo: Ocdp, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0-1.0)

What it is

A dark, thin brown sauce from Worcester, England, made by ageing malt vinegar, molasses, sugar, tamarind, onion, garlic, spices and anchovies. It is used in small splashes as a seasoning rather than as a sauce on its own. Its fish content surprises many people; vegetarian versions omit the anchovy.

How it’s used

  • Seasoning stews, shepherd's pie and gravies
  • Marinades for steak and burgers
  • Bloody Mary and Caesar cocktails
  • Cheese on toast and Welsh rarebit
  • Caesar dressing and barbecue sauces

Characteristics

Taste
Sharp, salty, sweet-sour and savoury, with spice and tamarind tang.
Aroma
Vinegary and spicy.
Appearance
Thin, dark brown liquid with sediment that settles; shake before use.
Sold as
liquid, fermented
Cooking uses
Mainly a seasoning, Commonly cooked

Storage

Pantry-stable. Keeps well in a cool cupboard thanks to its vinegar; shake before use.

Diet, allergens and safety

Contains Fish, Gluten. May contain Sulphites, Celery — check the label.

  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Dairy-free
  • Egg-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Nut-free
  • Soy-free
  • Caffeine-free
  • Hidden fish (anchovy): not vegetarian and unsuitable for fish allergies.
  • Usually made with malt (barley) vinegar, so contains gluten; may contain sulphites and celery.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy
77 kcal
Protein
0 g
Carbohydrate
19.17 g
Fat
0 g
Fibre
0 g
Sugars
10.03 g

USDA FoodData Central: Sauce, worcestershire.

Substitutes

Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.

  • Soy sauce — Mix soy sauce with a little vinegar and a pinch of sugar; use the same amount.
  • Vegetarian Worcestershire sauce — Same amount; fish-free.

Related ingredients

Recipes with worcestershire sauce

See all 29

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