5 Ways to Use Worcestershire Sauce (2024)

Christine Gallary

Christine GallaryFood Editor-at-Large

Christine graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France, and she has worked at Cook's Illustrated and CHOW.com. She lives in San Francisco and loves teaching cooking classes. Follow her latest culinary escapades on Instagram.

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published May 20, 2015

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5 Ways to Use Worcestershire Sauce (1)

I’ve always found Worcestershire sauce such a funny ingredient — how exactly do you pronounce it? And did you know

it’s not vegetarian

Regardless of its funny quirks, it always has a place in my refrigerator door, especially since it’s one of the key ingredients in my husband’s grilled steak marinade. But what else can this fermented, pungent condiment be used for?

1. Drinks

It’s hard to imagine brunch without a Bloody Mary with a few dashes of Worcestershire, but there are lots of other drinks that can benefit from this savory seasoning. Try it in beer co*cktails or even make some fresh V8 juice at home!

2. Marinades

Think of Worcestershire as an alternative to soy sauce or fish sauce if you want to change things up in marinades, especially since the popular brand Lea & Perrins is gluten-free. Give bland foods like tofu an umami (savory) punch with a quick pour of Worcestershire.

3. Hearty Meat Dishes

Anchovies give Worcestershire sauce a lot of depth, but the salty savoriness is also tempered by vinegar. Together, they really enhance, brighten, and round out the flavors in rich, meaty dishes like braises, stews, and even simple grilled burgers.

4. Soups and Chilis

Worcestershire sauce in soup? Trust me on this one. Just a little goes a long way; it helps cut through the richness in chilis and thick soups. Think of it as the je ne sais quoi secret ingredient — people might not be able to identify it as a main ingredient, but they’ll definitely enjoy how it flavors the soup or chili.

5. Sauces

Worcestershire sauce is most popularly used as a seasoning for Caesar salad dressing and shrimp co*cktail sauce, and with good reason. It’s an easy way to add deep flavor to uncooked sauces, but it can also be cooked into barbecue sauces to cut through some of the inherent sweetness. A little Worcestershire added to a pan sauce can also pack in a new dimension of flavor to complement your piece of seared meat.

What do you like to do with Worcestershire sauce?

5 Ways to Use Worcestershire Sauce (2024)

FAQs

5 Ways to Use Worcestershire Sauce? ›

It can be used to give a little boost to meat stews and casseroles, pies, soups, sauces and marinades. Sprinkle it over sausages, steaks, chops and toasted cheese or use it in drinks such as a classic Bloody Mary.

What can I use Worcestershire sauce for? ›

It can be used to give a little boost to meat stews and casseroles, pies, soups, sauces and marinades. Sprinkle it over sausages, steaks, chops and toasted cheese or use it in drinks such as a classic Bloody Mary.

How important is Worcestershire sauce? ›

It's essential in condiments like co*cktail sauce, and a dash in a Bloody Mary is sure to bring you back to life. If you're looking for umami and are growing tired of soy, oyster, or fish sauce, give Worcestershire a shot. You might have to rummage through the condiment shelf.

What was the original use of Worcestershire sauce? ›

One classic condiment, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce, was originally devised in Worcester, England, and was used to complement meat dishes and add a little zing to Welsh rarebit.

What do I do if I used too much Worcestershire sauce? ›

Dilute the recipe. Double the size by adding ingredients again EXCEPT Worcestershire sauce. Add something starchy.

What does Worcestershire do for soup? ›

Adding Worcestershire Sauce To Soups

It definitely does a great job of amping up the meaty flavors of a beef stew as well as giving vegetable soups a flavor lift, too. Worcestershire sauce would work great in a cream of mushroom soup, too. Just add the sauce in when sauteeing the mushrooms.

Can you cook with Worcestershire? ›

It's an easy way to add deep flavor to uncooked sauces, but it can also be cooked into barbecue sauces to cut through some of the inherent sweetness. A little Worcestershire added to a pan sauce can also pack in a new dimension of flavor to complement your piece of seared meat.

What is a fun fact about Worcestershire sauce? ›

Weird Facts about Lea & Perrins® Worcestershire Sauce
  • Worcestershire sauce was named for the town of Worcester, England, in the Shire (county) of Worcester.
  • Worcestershire sauce is made from anchoviese soaked in vinegar until they completely dissolve.

Can you put Worcestershire sauce in soup? ›

A little Worcestershire sauce goes a long way in soups

Of course, Worcestershire sauce's flavors will go great with something hearty like a hamburger soup or a gumbo, but you shouldn't stop there if you want to taste its true potential.

Can I put Worcestershire sauce on steak? ›

Place steaks in hot pan and cook quickly to desired taste turning only once. Lift out steaks when ready and keep handy. Quickly add the brandy and worcestershire sauce, mix well and bring to boil. Return steaks to pan and turn in the sauce.

Why cook with Worcestershire sauce? ›

With savory, umami flavor to spare, Worcestershire sauce is one of the best ways to spike up the flavor in your dishes. Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to your favorite macaroni and cheese, and you've got a depth of flavor that will get rave reviews at the potluck.

Does Worcestershire sauce expire? ›

Much like soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce has a relatively high salt and acid content, which act as preservatives, explains Alissa Rumsey, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. That's just one reason you can keep an unopened bottle of Worcestershire sauce for five years.

What flavor does Worcestershire sauce give? ›

Much like fish sauce or soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce is known for its punchy umami flavor—that deeply savory characteristic that makes you want to add it to everything. In Worcestershire sauce, this comes from anchovies.

Do you refrigerate Worcestershire after opening? ›

Like vinegar, Worcestershire sauce does not need to be refrigerated. Whether unopened or open it can be stored in the pantry for two years.

Why is Worcestershire sauce so hard to say? ›

'Shire' is the British equivalent to our counties here in America, so this sauce is simply named for region from which it comes, Worcestershire, where 'shire' sounds just like the state name 'New Hampshire'. So, we drop the first R, and the vowel in that syllable is the UH as in PUSH vowel, wo-, wo-.

Was Worcestershire sauce made by mistake? ›

According to The Spruce Eats, Worcestershire sauce was invented after a man named Lord Sandys returned home to England from India after years of governance in Bengal and really missed a specific Indian sauce.

What flavor does Worcestershire add? ›

What Does It Taste Like? Worcestershire sauce tastes tangy, savory, sweet, and salty. The balance of those flavors makes it an excellent condiment. It is especially valued for adding the umami flavor, which comes from the anchovies.

Does Worcestershire sauce need to be refrigerated after opening? ›

Like vinegar, Worcestershire sauce does not need to be refrigerated. Whether unopened or open it can be stored in the pantry for two years.

Do you refrigerate worchester sauce after opening? ›

However, if you want to extend its shelf life beyond a year, it's a good idea to store it in the fridge to preserve the quality of the sauce. The food site goes on further to explain that if you store your Worcestershire sauce in the refrigerator, it will keep for up to 3 years.

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