Are you wondering what is a substitute for MSG? If so, you’re in the right place!
In this article we will dive into the different alternatives to monosodium glutamate and their health benefits. So why not try something different and give it a go!
Short Answer:
What’s Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Made of?
MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is a crystal powder acting as a flavor enhancer when cooking. We use this to boost flavors in dishes, whether in restaurants or at home. (*)
It’s a naturally abundant amino acid, which is commercially produced added in canned vegetables, salad dressings, soups, chips, processed meats, bouillon cubes, processed foods, and the like.
Learn more: What Does MSG Taste Like? (WORKS Like MAGIC In Every Dish!)
11 Best Substitutes For MSG
Scroll down below to learn more about each substitute for monosodium glutamate:
1. Soy Sauce
You can use soy sauce to replace MSG seasoning.
There are many different types of soy sauce, ranging from light to dark in color, with different levels of saltiness.
The most common type of soy sauce in America is light soy sauce, which is used mostly for cooking rather than as a dipping sauce. Dark soy sauce has a stronger flavor and is often used as a finishing touch on Chinese dishes.
Most soy sauce contain a small amount of glutamate, which is the compound that gives MSG its flavor. However, soy sauce does not contain as much glutamate as MSG does, so you may need to use more soy sauce than you would use MSG to get the same flavor.
2. Cheddar or Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan cheese is an Italian cheese with a rich source of natural MSG because of the fermentation.
The entire process will help release amino acids when proteins break down, providing the savory flavor to pizza, pasta, risotto, among many Italian dishes.
That said, parmesan cheese isn’t usually for Asian dishes and won’t work well in a stir-fry! You’re better off using this in Italian cuisine.
Cheddar cheese is also another msg substitute, though it’s best to age for at least a year for the best flavor.
3. Salt
Salt may not sound like such a creative MSG alternative, though it’s very effective in enhancing flavors. Different types of salt can play a massive part in how your dish will taste like, too.
- Tip: We recommend using kosher or sea salt for the best results. While you can use low-priced table salt, use it only early on as you prepare your dish, but not when serving it.
Bottom line: Can I substitute salt for MSG?
MSG is a flavor enhancer, and it’s made from sodium and glutamate. So, in theory, you could substitute salt for MSG, but the end result might not be as tasty.Salt is an essential mineral that our bodies need to function properly, but too much salt can be harmful. MSG is a synthetic additive that’s been linked to health problems such as obesity, headaches, and nausea. So while substituting salt for MSG might save you some calories, it could also cause some unwanted side effects.
4. Spice and Herb Combinations
If you don’t have any other replacements, you can always use spice and herb combinations. Find the blend of herbs you love, then add it to stews, soups, salads, or omelets for a much richer flavor.
5. Beef Stock
The beef stock offers the best possible flavors, and you can create your own through slow-cooking aromatics and beef bones. The meaty flavor from beef stock is similar to MSG, adding more umami to food.
Beef stock, like MSG, has high levels of glutamate, amino acids from the meat’s protein. When you reduce stock, the higher the glutamate concentration, hence more umami deliciousness.
If you have no time for homemade stock, you can opt for bouillon cubes (or beef stock cubes), which you can simply add to water. You can also use a vegetable bouillon cube.
6. Oyster Sauce
Oyster sauce might not be everyone’s choice, but if you like this sauce, then this is just fine as an MSG alternative. Depending on your taste preferences, you can use as much oyster sauce as you see fit.
We recommend to use it in soups, salads, or other sauces requiring MSG. Plus, you can get oyster sauce in different flavors, including spicy varieties.
7. Flavored Oils
Another excellent MSG replacement that suits all types of dishes is any flavored oil. You can use your favorite oil for seasoning, sautéing, stir-frying, or spicing up dishes.
There are so many great oils you can choose from when replacing MSG. You can get sesame, sunflower, and even avocado oil, to name a few. There are also oils flavored with notes of mushrooms, garlic, and other savory flavor profiles for umami and spice.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of different oils and flavors, so there aren’t concrete rules as to how much and what kind of oil to use. It all depends on what type of cooking you want, the type of oil, and your desired result.
8. Dulse
Dulse is a seaweed with a slightly salty and savory flavor with a subtle ocean taste!
You can pick dulse from rocks in certain parts of the world or find it in Asian grocery stores.
Dulse is sold as a dried product you can rehydrate into Asian dishes where you add MSG. We recommend using dulse in flavors on broths like dashi, which accents the meaty flavors.
9. Yeast Extract
Are you looking to give your recipes a delicious umami boost? Then yeast extract is the perfect ingredient!
Not only does it have a savory and rich flavor, it can also take the place of MSG (monosodium glutamate) in any recipe. Plus, you can easily find yeast extract in any grocery stores.
Yeast offers a neutral flavor so that you won’t taste much of it in your dishes, but it will continue enhancing the other flavors of your ingredients.
When cooking, mix the yeast extract into wet ingredients at the beginning of the recipe to allow its flavor to fully develop as you cook.
For example, if making a marinade or stir-fry sauce, add one teaspoon of yeast extract to the wet ingredients prior to adding other seasonings. If making a soup or stew, add one tablespoon of yeast extract to the liquid mixture prior to adding other seasonings.
Yeast extract is extremely versatile and can be used on its own for seasoning or in combination with other spices for an even more complex flavor.
You can also adjust how much you use depending on how much umami flavor you want – from mild and subtle to robust and savory!
We commonly use yeast for preparing beer and bread, but you can also add it to stews, soups, and various dressings.
10. Mushrooms (HEALTHY’S CHOICE)
Mushrooms add savory flavors to dishes that require mushrooms. It’s a bold choice and won’t work in all dishes; they add more glutamate if you use it carefully.
Mushrooms work in intensifying your food’s inherent flavors, particularly in soups and stews. You can also use mushrooms in salads for a savory taste.
We highly recommend using shiitake mushrooms for this since it has intense flavors. Also, make sure that the particular mushroom’s taste fits in with your dish before replacing MSG with it.
Alternatively, mushroom powder make good replacement as they will provide umami flavor without extra salt.
- Pro Tip: If you want to take things up a notch, marinating mushrooms in a mixture of soy sauce and sugar for 15-30 minutes can give your dish that extra something special while still being healthy. Just remember, using mushrooms won’t give the same instant burst of flavor as adding MSG would; however, with the right preparation it can still turn out delicious!
11. BONUS- How To Make Natural MSG At Home
Some people claim that they can make their own MSG through fermenting food containing high glutamate concentrations.
That said, MSG and the alternatives we mentioned above are affordable and readily available in grocery stores, so it’s better to purchase them instead of creating your own.
That’s because the process of making MSG is time-tedious as it involves culturing decomposing items carefully.
Wrapping It Up
What is a substitute for msg? There are a few different ingredients to replace MSG in your cooking, we suggest to try soy sauce or parmesan. Other popular replacement for MSG is called “yeast extract”, and it’s made from a type of yeast that’s high in glutamate.
Some people also use oyster sauce, dulse, or mushroom soy as MSG replacements, since they also contains high levels of glutamate.
If you are looking for a way to add more flavor to your food, you will need to find other ways to do so. Some ideas include adding herbs, spices, or salt; using different types of flavor oils or vinegars; or experimenting with different cooking methods.
Finally, there are also products that are marketed as “MSG-free”, but these products usually contain other forms of glutamate, such as autolyzed yeast or hydrolyzed protein.
Who needs MSG when you can use our MSG alternatives list!!!
We hope it helps you with your cooking, whether you’re preparing Chinese cuisine or other Asian cuisines!
Frequently Asked Questions
Find out more about MSG here with our frequently asked questions:
If you’d like to share your experience on any of these ingredients, comment below. We’d love to hear what you have to think.
Happy cooking!
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