I’ve personally tried and tested a range of different Maggi seasoning substitutes to find the best one.
Whatever your reason for needing a substitute is and whatever dish you’re cooking.
Here’s the quick answer.
The best substitute for Maggi seasoning is a soy sauce and Worcestershire combo or and alternative seasoning sauce like Golden Mountain. You can also try tamari for a gluten-free substitute. Go with liquid aminos for a vegan and soy-free option. For a fresh and natural replacement, try chopped lovage herb.
The Experiment
I made my own egg drop soup (it’s delicious if you haven’t tried it!) and tested twelve different Maggi seasoning substitute options to find the best one.
Maggi seasoning comes in lots of different forms, but one thing remains the same – it’s used to give dishes a meatier, more savory taste.
I was looking for a substitute that would give a similar umami depth without altering the dishes’ flavor too much.
Here’s what I tested and the verdicts:
| Substitute | Sub 1 tsp of Maggi seasoning for | Verdict |
| Soy sauce + Worcestershire sauce | ½ tsp soy sauce + ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce | 10/10 |
| Knorr, Golden Moutain seasoning, Kitchen Boquet (other brand) | 1-2 teaspoons Golden Mountain | 10/10 |
| Tamari | 1 teaspoon tamari + splash of Worcestershire sauce | 8/10 |
| Ajinomoto MSG powder | ¼ teaspoon Ajinomoto | 8/10 |
| Liquid aminos | 2 teaspoons liquid aminos | 8/10 |
| Lovage | 2 teaspoons freshly chopped herb | 6/10 |
| Marmite | 1 teaspoon Marmite | 6/10 |
| Fish sauce | 1 teaspoon fish sauce | 7/10 |
| No substitute | Nothing | 5/10 |
A soy sauce (or tamari) and Worcestershire sauce is easily accessible (you probably don’t need a trip to the shop) and a great substitute option in terms of flavor
Other branded seasoning sauces are also a perfect option if you have some to hand or you can easily get some, but this isn’t always the case.
Common dishes that use Maggi seasoning and the best substitute
- Soups, stews, sauces and stocks: liquid aminos, soy sauce/tamari + Worcestershire sauce, pure MSG powder, lovage herbs
- Bloody mary, marinades, pickling liquids: liquid aminos, soy sauce + Worcestershire sauce
Soy sauce + Worcestershire
Soy sauce is an okay substitute for Maggi seasoning on its own, but adding Worcestershire sauce takes this substitute option to the next level.
The combination replicates Maggi’s salty, umami goodness with the slightest hint of sweetness.
Plus, both are easily accessible – you probably already have them in your cupboard.
Pro-tip: mix a big batch in a reusable glass bottle so you’ll always have this sub ready to use.
Taste and Texture
This combination has a thin consistency and meaty flavor profile very that similar to Maggi seasoning.
Measurements
1 teaspoon of Maggi seasoning = ½ tsp soy sauce + ½ teaspoon Worcestershire (this is a guide and you should adjust as you see fit, some people like less Worcestershire sauce).
Golden Mountain seasoning (or other seasoning sauces)
Golden Mountain was the best substitute I tried in terms of flavor.
It didn’t have exactly the same taste, but it was pretty close.
The only issue is that it might be hard to find where you live.
In that case there are other alternatives like Knorr seasoning sauce, Kitchen bouquet, or even gravy master (although this is a lot more sweet than salty). There are usually own-brand version too!
Each will have a small difference in taste, for example, I find Knorr seasoning is less salty, but the overall effect will be the same.
Curious? Check out even more Golden Mountain sauce substitutes here.
Taste and texture
You won’t be able to taste the difference once it’s mixed into your dish – but the problem is accessibility.
Measurements
1 Golden Mountain seasoning = 1 teaspoon Maggi seasoning
Ajinomoto umami seasoning
Maggi seasoning is full of umami goodness, and a great way to replicate this is with MSG, the purest form of umami.
Ajinomoto umami seasoning is a powdered form of MSG that’s actually an ingredient in Maggi seasoning!
Psst… MSG has gathered a bad reputation, but the US Food and Drug Administration recognizes it as a safe ingredient – in moderation, of course!
Taste and texture
It’s packed with umami flavors and adds loads of depth of flavor – a great substitute.
Measurements
¼ teaspoon Ajinomoto = 1 teaspoon Maggi seasoning
Tamari + Worcestershire sauce
Tamari is the perfect option for you if you’re gluten-sensitive and can’t use soy-sauce. It’s very similar to soy sauce, but slightly less salty.
And just like soy sauce, it benefits from a splash of Worcestershire sauce to add another layer of complexity.
Taste and texture
Pretty similar to Maggi seasoning, but with a little less depth.
Measurements
2 teaspoon tamari = 1 teaspoon Maggi seasoning
Liquid aminos
Liquid aminos is a seasoning sauce derived from treating soybeans in an acidic solution (there’s also coconut aminos, but this is sweeter so I would avoid it as a substitute for Maggi).
It’s loaded with meaty, umami goodness but is naturally vegan, MSG-free, and soy-free.
This sauce is less salty and has a sweeter undertone than Maggi seasoning, but it’s still a good swap.
Taste and texture
It has a thin consistency abut doesn’t have quite the same punch as Maggi seasoning so I would add more.
Measurements
2 teaspoons liquid aminos = 1 teaspoon Maggi seasoning
Lovage (herb)
This leafy herb is also known as the Maggi plant because it tastes so similar to the famous seasoning sauce.
I was skeptical at first, but I have to admit that the flavors and aromas were basically the same.
According to Spruce Eats, some Germans even believe lovage is a secret ingredient for Maggi seasoning!
The downside is the form. It’s so different to maggi seasoning and you need to consider if herbs would work in your dish or not.
Taste and texture
It shares a similar flavor profile to Maggi seasoning, but with an extra hint of freshness.
Measurements
2 teaspoons freshly chopped herbs = 1 teaspoon Maggi seasoning
Marmite/vegemite
Marmite is a British savory spread made from yeast extract, and Vegemite is the Australian version.
It’s typically used on toast, but this salty spread is also FULL of meaty umaminess making it great for adding a savory hit to cooked dishes.
In my egg drop soup it lacked a bit of the depth that Maggi seasoning has, but a quick splash of something extra like soy sauce or fish sauce would sort that out.
It’s definitely worth using if it’s the only thing you have available!
Taste and texture
Marmite has a thicker, spreadable consistency and a similarly salty-umami twist.
Measurements
1 teaspoon Marmite = 1 teaspoon Maggi seasoning
Fish sauce
Fish sauce is salty and full of funk, but it also has a briny undertone that means you should be careful adding too much!
Adding a splash of fish sauce will definitely help add more depth of flavor to your dish though. A few drops on fried eggs are delicious.
Psst… fish sauce isn’t vegetarian or vegan friendly (as you might have guessed from the name).
Taste and texture
Fish sauce is very strong, so add a few drops at a time to prevent overpowering your dish.
Measurements
1 teaspoon fish sauce = 1 teaspoon Maggi seasoning
No substitute (add extra salt)
Maggi seasoning is a flavor enhancer, so it’s not a 100% necessary ingredient for your dish.
My soup still tasted nice without it, it just lacked that wow factor that keeps you coming back for more.
Adding some extra salt and other seasonings to the dish will help with this though!
Taste and texture
Your dish will taste the same but will lack that extra oomph Maggi seasoning brings.
Measurements
–
Other substitute options for Maggi seasoning
If none of the previously mentioned substitutes work for you, these are a few more options you can look at.
They’re moving further away from the flavor and texture of Maggi seasoning, but they will still give you a delicious umami hit and bring depth of flavor to your dish.
- Dried mushrooms – dried mushrooms have more umami than fresh mushrooms and they work really well in stir-fries for for shiitake or porcini mushrooms for the best flavor. You can also opt for mushroom paste which you and stir right into any dish.
- Miso paste – miso paste is typically used in Japanese cuisine and has a rich, salty flavor. YUM! You can get different varieties with slightly different flavors. White miso is the mildest, so good if your dish is based on chicken or fish. Red miso has a bolder flavor, and is good with richer dishes.
- Shrimp paste – shrimp paste is a staple in Asian cooking and you can use it in everything from fried rice, to soups to add a funky (delicious) flavor if you’re missing Maggi seasoning.
Best Maggi Seasoning Substitutes [Tried And Tested]
Ingredients
- Soy sauce + Worcestershire sauce
- Golden Mountain seasoning sauce or other branded seasoning sauce
- Ajinomoto umami seasoning MSG
- Tamari + Worcestershire sauce
- Liquid Aminos
- Loveage fresh or dried
- Marmite/Vegemite or other umami-heavy ingredient
- No substitute
Instructions
- Cook your meal according to the recipe.
- Add your chosen Maggi seasoning substitute at the appropriate cooking time.
- Mix until thoroughly combined and continue with the recipe.
