How to make coconut aminos at home
You can use some common pantry ingredients to mimic the depth of flavor of coconut aminos pretty easily. All you have to do is simmer the ingredients for 10 minutes to reduce and thicken into a sauce and you’re all set! Here’s what you’ll need:
Beef broth – To get that savory, umami flavorBalsamic vinegar – Adds a little sweetness and acid balanceFish sauce – Another layer of umami and salty goodnessTomato paste – Adds depth of flavor and thickness to the sauceOnion powder – Flavor to help mimic a “true” coconut aminos tasteMaple syrup – Optional, adds a little sweetness similar to coconut aminosSea salt – Also optional, if you’re looking for a saltier sauce you’ll want to add a pinch
But wait, what are coconut aminos?
Don’t want to read the details on coconut aminos? Click here to jump straight to the recipe. Coconut aminos are a liquid made from coconut tree sap and sea salt. They have become popular as an alternative to soy sauce, with much less sodium. Coconut aminos are naturally:
Gluten-freeSoy-freeVegan
They also:
Contain about 60-70% less sodium than soy sauceDon’t contain any MSGContain 17 amino acids
An alternative to soy sauce
Coconut aminos are typically used as an alternative or replacement for soy sauce. If you are avoiding soy for any reason (you can read more about the dangers of soy here) coconut aminos are a good option. They are:
Not as salty as soy-sauceSlightly sweet tastingA good source of savory, umami flavor
Coconut aminos vs. Liquid aminos
Don’t be fooled by liquid aminos. Although they have “aminos” in the name, they are not the same. In fact, liquid aminos (such as Bragg) are a liquid protein concentrate made from soybeans and very similar to soy sauce. Liquid aminos are much saltier than coconut aminos and contain soy so they are not a recommended soy sauce alternative.
Coconut aminos and Whole30
We discovered coconut aminos for cooking when we started eating mostly Whole30 and have never looked back. They are the perfect ingredient for asian-inspired meals, sauces and marinades. They add depth of flavor to any dish. You’ll find them in many of our recipes and you can find all of our Whole30 recipes here. This DIY coconut aminos recipe is Whole30 compliant as long as you don’t include the maple syrup. Don’t worry, you won’t miss it! You’ll still get the salty umami flavor you are looking for and still get a tiny bit of sweetness from the balsamic vinegar.
Coconut aminos and the Keto diet
Because coconut aminos are made from coconut tree sap, which is basically a syrup, they are not very keto friendly. However, this coconut aminos substitute recipe is much lower carb than the average store bought coconut aminos. Here is the breakdown: All amounts above are per 1 tbsp serving So, good news! You can use this homemade version to replace coconut aminos or soy sauce in your favorite Keto recipes. You’ll get similar flavor with a lower carb count.
But why make a coconut aminos substitute?
While coconut aminos are great, there are a few reasons you might not want to use it or buy it at the store.
It can be expensiveSome stores don’t carry itWhich brand of aminos to buy can be confusing (see coconut aminos vs. liquid aminos above)You may have trouble finding it in your area to purchase in store or online (Certain countries)Maybe you can’t eat coconut or soy but want a sauce similar to coconut aminos or soy sauce
You might like the homemade version better
Personally, I like making my own sauces and seasonings at home. Once you try it, you’ll never go back! It’s much cheaper to make them at home and you don’t have to spend an hour at the store looking at ingredients on all the bottles. Here are some other DIY seasoning and sauce recipes we love:
CHIPOTLE AIOLI PALEO TACO SEASONING5 MINUTE ROASTED PEPPER SAUCE6 EASY WHOLE30 SAUCES10 EASY HOMEMADE SPICE BLENDS
Your turn to try this DIY coconut aminos and soy sauce alternative
Grab a handful of items from your pantry and put them on the stove to simmer for a few minutes. You’ll be amazed how easy it is to recreate the flavor of coconut aminos in your own kitchen! Leave a comment below to let us know how it goes. Also, take a pic and tag us @realsimplegood on Instagram, we love seeing what you’re cooking! SHARE IT NOW OR PIN IT FOR LATER!
