What is Oyster Sauce, Where to Buy It, Recipes to Make with It (2024)

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What is Oyster Sauce, Where to Buy It, Recipes to Make with It (1)

Sweet, salty, and earthy,oyster sauceis a thick syrup-like sauce that is made out of…. oysters! But it’s more than just sweet and salty — the oyster juices from cooking the oysters are caramelized and sugar, salt, and cornstarch (or another thickener) are added to it. There’s quite a layer to the taste. Compared to hoisin sauce, it’s less sweet and saltier.

Oyster sauce (蚝油) was invented accidentally by Lee Kum Sheung in China, in 1888 when he left a pot of oyster soup on the flame and only remembered when it had simmered down to a thick gravy. Luckily for us, he gave it a taste and decided it was delicious AF, and started selling it. That’s pretty much how Lee Kum Kee Chinese cooking sauces started!

The image up above is an oyster sauce that is made with oyster extract and in my opinion, tastes lighter but Lee Kum Kee also has a Premium Oyster Sauce that is richer and is made from fresh, mature, and well-nourished oysters (pictured down below).

What is Oyster Sauce, Where to Buy It, Recipes to Make with It (2)

Where to Buy Oyster Sauce

I’ve started noticing the iconic panda label and red lid in my local grocery stores now instead of just being sold at specialty Asian markets. If you cannot find it in stores, it’s easily found online as well!

Recipes that Uses Oyster Sauce

  • Air Fryer Orange Chicken — Sweet and tangy but with a hit of heat, this Air Fryer Orange Chicken is a classic take out recipe that you can easily make at home! You won’t believe how crispy this orange chicken is without deep-frying!
  • Hibachi Shrimp with Fried Rice — This Japanese-style Hibachi Shrimp made with sautéed vegetables served over top of a simple fried rice is an easy and delicious dinner that also serves as a delicious meal prep.
  • Hibachi Chicken with Fried Rice — This Japanese-style Hibachi Chicken made with sautéed vegetables served over top of a simple fried rice is an easy and delicious dinner that also serves as a delicious meal prep.
  • Black Pepper Beef — A classic Chinese dish, this Black Pepper Beef (黑椒牛柳) is surprisingly easy to make at home! Tender, melt in your mouth beef, covered in a bowl-licking black pepper sauce, this is the perfect weeknight dinner.
What is Oyster Sauce, Where to Buy It, Recipes to Make with It (3)
  • Yaki Udon — Made in less than 20 minutes, you can have Yaki Udon in next to no time. Packed with vegetables and made with only a handful of ingredients, you’ll love how easy it is to make.
  • 10 Minute Sesame Ramen Noodles — Dress up your ramen noodles in 10 minutes or less by making this Sesame Noodles recipe. Ditch the seasoning packet and make this flavour-packed sesame ramen noodles instead!
  • Hoisin Beef Noodles — This Hoisin Beef Noodles recipe is SO easy to make and takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish! Perfect for busy weeknights or as a meal prep.
  • Sriracha Fried Rice — This Sriracha Fried Rice is a quick and easy recipe that is the perfect quick meal or meal prep. This freezer-friendly meal is made with leftover rice, eggs, shredded chicken, and peas, you’ll love how easy it is to throw together.
What is Oyster Sauce, Where to Buy It, Recipes to Make with It (4)
  • Vietnamese inspired Beef Noodle Salad — This Vietnamese-inspired Beef Noodle Salad is super easy to throw together on a busy weeknight for dinner and works as a meal prep as well!
  • Hawaiian Breakfast Fried Rice — Made with easy to find ingredients, this Hawaiian Breakfast Fried Rice makes for a delicious morning!
  • Hong Kong Style “Bolognese” — A fusion of flavours, this Hong Kong style Chinese Bolognese is a bowl of comfort! Usually sold in 茶餐廳/Hong Kong style cafes, you’re going to want to give this twist on bolognese a try!
  • Deconstructed Spring Roll in a Jar — This easy deconstructed egg roll in a jar is a fun and delicious way to get your spring roll fix without having to fry or wrap an spring roll!
  • Healthy Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry — Craving a delicious satay stir fry from your local take out place? Skip the take out and make your own healthy chicken and vegetable stir fry with peanut sauce. It takes less than 30 minutes and you can pack the leftovers as a work lunch!

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What is Oyster Sauce, Where to Buy It, Recipes to Make with It (2024)

FAQs

What can I use oyster sauce for? ›

The most common uses for oyster sauce include stir-fry sauces, glazes, and marinades. Oyster sauce flavors chicken, beef, vegetables like broccoli, noodles, and rice dishes. It is an important component to cashew chicken and even a type of radish cake. Make homemade hoisin sauce or teriyaki sauce by using oyster sauce.

What does oyster sauce taste like? ›

Gently salty and briny, with a velvety smooth, thick texture, oyster sauce is in a number of Asian dishes. The condiment brings rich, savory flavor to whatever you pour it over or into – from Chinese broccoli to stir-fry marinades – and it's a mainstay in many Asian and Asian American kitchens.

Does oyster sauce go bad if not refrigerated? ›

Condiments containing egg or milk such as mayonnaise and creamy salad dressing, or those with other fast-spoiling ingredients such as oyster sauce should be kept refrigerated. Being among one of must-haves in Thai kitchen, a used bottle of oyster sauce stored in Thailand's room temperature may be prone to get moldy.

Is oyster sauce good or bad for you? ›

There is zero cholesterol in the sauce, hence no trans or saturated fats. Also, the oyster sauce contains some bit of protein, and protein diets help in weight loss. But having said that, you must keep the consumption in control. Excessing oyster sauce consumption might harm your body in different ways.

How long does oyster sauce last in fridge after opening? ›

Oyster sauce: 18 to 24 months; 3 to 6 months. Peanut butter: 1 year when stored in refrigerator and 3 to 4 months refrigerated after opening (natural); 6 to 9 months when stored in pantry or 12 months stored in refrigerator, 2 to 3 months in pantry or 3 to 4 months refrigerated after opening (commercial, stabilised).

Why do people like oyster sauce? ›

Oyster sauce is a thick glossy brown sauce with a syrupy consistency and is most often used in Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese dishes. Rich and deeply savoury, it adds so much umami to meat and vegetable dishes… although I'm a big fan of adding it to fusion pasta recipes, too!

Does oyster sauce taste like teriyaki sauce? ›

Teriyaki sauce will have a thick consistency almost identical to oyster sauce. However, it is more sweet and tangy rather than earthy and savory.

Is oyster sauce Sweet or Spicy? ›

It is made from oyster extract, but despite the name, it doesn't taste like fish at all. Instead, oyster sauce has an earthy, slightly sweet, and salty taste. It is a mixture of boiled down oyster juices (which have caramelized), along with salt and sugar; some versions include soy sauce thickened with cornstarch.

Is oyster sauce the same as hoisin sauce? ›

Often used as a cooking ingredient, oyster sauce has a richer and more intense taste than hoisin but it does not have the sweetness. If you want to cook with an oyster sauce substitute, hoisin sauce works fine if you like a sweet, tangy flavor.

Does oyster sauce taste fishy? ›

Here are four differences between oyster sauce and fish sauce. Taste: Fish sauce is much fishier and saltier in flavor than oyster sauce, which has more of a sweet and briny taste to it.

Can you eat oyster sauce without cooking it? ›

You can use oyster sauce on its own as a dipping sauce, as an addition to soups, or as a marinade for meats or vegetables.

Is ketchup OK if left out overnight? ›

If you keep your ketchup out all day at a barbecue, do you need to throw it away? Sargent clarifies that “for ketchup that is kept at room temperature, it should be consumed within 30 days.” Even without preservatives, most all-natural ketchups can handle some time stored at room temperature, Wagner says.

Is oyster sauce bad for high blood pressure? ›

Oyster sauce with reduced sodium levels provides the same rich and savoury taste while helping to maintain healthy blood pressure. Consuming low-sodium oyster sauce can be part of a balanced diet, offering oyster sauce health benefits without excess sodium.

Is oyster good for high blood pressure? ›

The presence of magnesium and potassium also help to lower blood pressure and iron helps carry oxygen to blood cells. Oysters are also high in potassium, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids which help reduce the overall risk of stroke and heart attack. They are also effective at lowering blood pressure.

Is there a lot of sugar in oyster sauce? ›

The Consumer Council examined nutritional labels of 65 samples of condiments in 4 categories encompassing 15 samples of oyster sauce, 15 samples of ketchup, 13 samples of XO sauce and 22 samples of chili sauce and pepper sauce. The survey observed that the sodium and sugars contents of oyster sauce are generally high.

Is hoisin sauce the same as oyster sauce? ›

Often used as a cooking ingredient, oyster sauce has a richer and more intense taste than hoisin but it does not have the sweetness. If you want to cook with an oyster sauce substitute, hoisin sauce works fine if you like a sweet, tangy flavor.

What's the difference between fish sauce and oyster sauce? ›

Taste: Fish sauce is much fishier and saltier in flavor than oyster sauce, which has more of a sweet and briny taste to it. Ingredients: Fish sauce typically is made out of a base of fermented anchovies. As its name reflects, oyster sauce is made out of reduced and caramelized oysters.

Is oyster sauce good in ramen? ›

Oyster Sauce Instant Ramen Noodles - A flavor- packed combination of salty & spicy. A spoon full of Lee Kum Kee Vegetarian Oyster. Flavoured Sauce is the key ingredient that takes this.

Can I freeze oyster sauce? ›

Freezing oyster flavored sauce is not recommended. The flavor may taste the same, but freezing can cause changes in viscosity. In addition, if the oyster sauce is kept in its glass bottle, the glass may crack during freezing.

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