When you’re cooking a delicious recipe that calls for fish stock, but you don’t have any on hand, don't worry! Plenty of simple and tasty alternatives can be used as a Fish Stock Substitute.
Whether you’re making a hearty soup or a savory stew, finding the right substitute can be easy and stress-free. Let’s dive into some common ingredients you might already have in your kitchen that can perfectly replace fish stock in your dishes.
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Why Use Fish Stock Substitute
Fish stock is super useful and can enhance the flavor of many dishes. Here are some useful facts about fish stock.
- What is Fish Stock Made Of: It is made of simmering fish bones, heads, and sometimes skin, with aromatic vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery.
- Flavor and Taste: Light, delicate, and slightly sweet; enhances seafood dishes without overpowering them.
- Fish Stock vs. Fish Broth: Stock is made from bones and has a richer flavor; broth is made from meat and is lighter.
- Which Dishes Use It: Soups, stews, risottos, sauces, and paellas benefit from the depth of fish stock.
12 Best Substitutions For Fish Stock
If you don't have fish stock on hand, don't worry! These 11 fish stock alternatives can still add great flavor to your dishes.
1. Chicken Stock/Chicken Broth
If you're looking for a substitute for fish stock, chicken stock/chicken broth is a great alternative. It's easy to find, and you probably already have some at home. Chicken stock has a milder flavor than fish stock but still adds a rich and savory taste to your dishes.
You can buy chicken stock at any grocery store or make it yourself by simmering chicken bones, vegetables, and herbs in water. Use the same amount of chicken stock as you would fish stock in your recipes.
One drawback is that chicken stock won’t give you the seafood flavor, but it's still a flavorful stock that works well in many dishes. Try it in:
- Seafood Paella
- Instant Pot Clam Chowder
- Seafood Risotto
2. Beef Stock
You can easily make beef stock at home by simmering beef bones with vegetables and herbs. The beef stock has a rich and hearty flavor, which is quite different from the light taste of basic fish stock, but it can add depth to your dishes.
Just replace the same amount of beef stock as your specific recipe asks for fish stock. One drawback is that it won't have that seafood taste, but it's still a great option for many recipes. Try it in:
- Seafood Stew
- Mussel Soup
- Fish Curry
3. Vegetable Broth Using Kombu
Kombu (made of kelp seaplant) is a type of dried seaweed that adds an oceanic taste to dishes without using fish. The kombu-infused vegetable stock has a light, savory flavor that works well in many recipes. You can buy kombu at most grocery stores or online, and making the broth at home is easy.
Just simmer a piece of kombu in water for about 20 minutes, then strain it out. Use the same amount of this vegetable broth to replace the fish stock in your recipes. One drawback is that it might be milder than traditional fish stock. Try it in:
- Miso soup
- Saffron Risotto
- Vegetable Stews
4. Clam Juice
Clam juice has a mild, salty flavor that can enhance the taste of other seafood dishes. You can buy bottled clam juice at most grocery stores or make it by steaming fresh clams and saving the liquid.
Use an equal amount of clam juice to use it as a fish stock replacement in recipes. An easy way to use clam juice is in soups, stews, and sauces. However, it may not work as well in recipes where a strong fish flavor is necessary. Try it in:
- Clam chowder
- Seafood risotto
- Paella
5. Shrimp Stock
When you cook shrimp, you can save the shells to make a flavorful broth. The shells add a rich, slightly sweet & briny taste that's perfect for many dishes. You can't buy shrimp shells alone, but you can easily collect them when you cook shrimp at home.
To make the broth, simmer the shrimp shells in water with some vegetables for about 30 minutes, then strain. Use this homemade broth just like fish stock, replacing it cup for cup.
A drawback is that it takes time to make, but the flavor is worth it. Try it in:
- Shrimp bisque
- Seafood risotto
- Gumbo
6. Miso Soup
Another great alternative to fish stock is miso soup. Miso paste, used in miso soup, is a traditional Japanese ingredient made from fermented soybeans, salt, and sometimes rice or barley. Dashi is also used in miso soup as a base ingredient.
Miso paste has a thick, pasty texture and a savory, umami flavor that's perfect for enhancing the taste of other seafood dishes. You can find it at most grocery stores or Asian markets. To make miso soup, simply mix the paste and dashi with hot water until they mix well.
7. Fish Bouillon Cubes
Fish Bouillon Cubes are a great seafood stock substitute. They're small cubes made from concentrated fish stock, which dissolve in water to create a flavorful broth. These cubes are handy because they have a rich, savory taste that's perfect for soups, stews, and sauces.
You can buy them at most grocery stores or make them at home by simmering fish bones and vegetables, reducing the liquid until it thickens, and pouring it into ice cube trays to freeze. To replace fish stock, use one cube per cup of water.
The only drawback is that bouillon cubes can be salty, so adjust your recipe's salt content accordingly. Try them in:
- Fish chowder
- Seafood paella
- Shrimp risotto
8. White Wine and Water Combination
White wine and water mix can be easily made at home by combining equal parts of white wine and water. The white wine adds a light, fruity flavor with a touch of acidity that can enhance many dishes.
White wine can be bought at any grocery store. To use it as a fish stock substitute, one cup of the wine and water mixture is needed for each cup of fish stock.
A drawback is that the wine flavor might not be as strong as traditional fish stock, so it may not work well in all recipes. Try it in:
- Seafood pasta
- Mussels in white wine sauce (Read Green Mussels Vs Black Mussels for more info)
- Fish stew
9. Fish Sauce
Fish sauce is a strong seafood stock substitute made from fermented fish. It's usually sold in bottles at grocery stores, especially in the Asian food section. Fish sauce has a salty, umami flavor that adds depth to your dishes.
To replace fish stock, mix one tablespoon of fish sauce with a cup of water. This will give you a similar salty flavor. A drawback is that fish sauce can be very strong, so start with a small amount and adjust to taste. Try it in:
- Thai curry
- Seafood stir-fry
- Fish soup
10. Oyster Sauce
Oyster sauce is another great option for swapping fish stock. It's a thick, dark sauce made from oyster extracts, giving it a sweet and salty flavor with a hint of ocean taste. You can find it at most grocery stores in the Asian food section.
Making it at home is complicated, so it's best to buy it. To use oyster sauce as a substitute, mix one tablespoon of it with a cup of water to get a similar taste to fish stock.
The main drawback is that it can be a bit sweet, so you might need to adjust the other flavors in your dish. Try it in:
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
- Seafood fried rice
11. Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is a dark, salty liquid made from fermented soybeans and wheat. It adds a rich, umami flavor to dishes, making it a good swap for fish stock. You can buy soy sauce at any grocery store.
For the fish stock alternative, mix one tablespoon of soy sauce with a cup of water. This blend can give your dish a similar depth of flavor. A drawback is that soy sauce can be quite salty, so be careful not to over-season your dish. Try it in:
- Ramen noodle soup
- Stir-fried rice
- Braised fish
Choose The Best Fish stock Replacement for Your Meal
We've covered alternatives to fish stock for seafood dishes. From homemade shrimp stock to fish bouillon cubes, various options exist based on preference and availability.
Non-traditional substitutes like miso soup, white wine, water combo, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and soy sauce offer unique flavors to elevate seafood dishes.
Now it's your turn - let us know in the comments below which substitute you like to use or if there are any others you would recommend trying!
