Skip to main content
LoginSign Up

Cooking

Can Dark Soy Sauce Replace Low-Sodium Soy Sauce

Asked Apr 24, 2020 by Layne S.

I originally posted this question to the recipe page for .

I am blessed that I have access to an H Mart, so when the recipe called for low-sodium soy sauce, which I almost never buy, I was wondering if I could use dark soy sauce, which I knew was lower in sodium than regular light soy sauce (light as in lighter, not lower sodium) and which I had on hand.

So in the interest of science, I decided to try it. I used 1/4 cup dark soy sauce to mix into the ground meat and I used 1/2 cup dark soy sauce mixed with 1/4 cup tap water to thin it out a little when simmering the sauce. Hedged my bets a little with that 1/4 cup of water :) The end result was great! It wasn't too salty at all, in fact I might even try it with a full 3/4 cup of dark soy sauce next time.

Anyway, that's an option for folks who might have a somewhat well-stocked pantry/fridge for chinese cooking. I appreciate having the option to use either depending on what's on hand.

Have a question for Milk Street experts?

Get trusted advice from the cooks, editors, and recipe developers behind Milk Street.

Ask a Question

Don’t have an account?Sign up

Join the conversation

Sign in to join the conversation.

COMMENTS

  • Jackie B.

    July 27, 2021

    Thanks Lynn! We just made this and it was VERY salty for us following the recipe with low sodium soy. My husband is very salt sensitive and has high blood pressure so we were looking to cut the salt some way or another in order to keep making this. I may try it thinned next time. We did like the flavor overall but even I felt it was too salty.

  • Mary S.

    November 11, 2021

    Dark soy sauce had 15 percent MORE salt than regular. Look it up. Always double check, get the actual value. Clearly you can’t trust bloggers or the “Internet”.