Love it or Hate it, Marmite is a British classic used as a sandwich spread or paired with a morning slice of toast. At first, these were the only two uses for Marmite, but marmite lovers have come up with a whole world of dishes that can put this beloved (or hated) spread to use.
Marmite is sold all over the UK. But if you find the unique flavours too strong or have run out of your favourite spread, what can you use instead?
Our 4 Substitutes for Marmite
It is the salty, yeasty, overpowering umami flavours that make Marmite such a unique food. Though technically a thick paste, it is syrupy enough to be the perfect spread.
Our top 4 substitutes for marmite:
1) Vegemite
Vegemite is also known as the Australian version of Marmite but is also quite common in UK supermarkets.
It is a lot more intense than Marmite but is made using malt extract instead of yeast. This means that it more resembles the taste of beer specifically rather than a general yeast flavour.
Though this is the only real difference between the two ingredients, vegemite makes for a better spread than Marmite, resembling smooth peanut butter rather than syrup.
The malt allows vegemite to pair well with a range of meat dishes, especially when used as a rub. Its texture will allow the meat to form a crispy, salty skin when cooking.
Great Paired With Beef
Vegemite can be used to flavour a lot of meats but due to its beer-like, yeasty flavour, it is best when used for beef in richer dishes.
2) Miso
Miso is a seasoning of Japanese origins but can be used in similar ways to Marmite.
Miso is a paste made from fermented soybeans, which is how it develops its rich, complex flavour and takes on a much darker than Marmite.
This fermenting process also makes miso just as salty as Marmite, though it is a lot more intense.
In order to spread miso like Marmite, you will need to mix it with butter. Or you can add it in the same quantities as Marmite when using miso in a broth or soup.
Choose the Right Miso For You
If you love the intense marmite flavour, then you should opt for red miso paste. But if you want a sweeter taste, then white miso is the best substitute for you.
3) Bovril
A lot of people don’t know that Bovril is made from the same company that makes Marmite, but that explains why they are so similar.
Bovril is purposely sweeter and less bitter than Marmite and lacks the same yeasty flavour. This is because instead of being made with yeast extract, Bovril uses an animal base mixed with sugar.
Essentially a meat paste, Bovril is particularly favoured by bodybuilders and avid gym-goers as it is very high in protein.
This would make it healthier than marmites except for the still very high sodium content.
Not Vegetarian Friendly
Bovril’s animal base means that it is not suitable for either vegetarians or vegans, unlike Marmite.
4) Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is made in a similar way to miso in the scene in that it is made using fermented soybeans but is instead turned into a liquid.
It is extremely salty and full of umami flavours.
By themselves, these flavours can be extremely prominent and overwhelming. So, you will need to mix soy sauce with other ingredients to be more palatable.
Soy sauce is already a widely used ingredient, used in many eastern dishes. This means that you can use it as a substitute in pretty much every Marmite based dish.
Make Your Own Spread
If you add 1 part soy sauce to 2 parts butter, then you could use it as a spread like Marmite.
Other Substitutes for Marmite
When you don’t have the above substitutes to hand or are not a fan of them, then here are a few more you can use instead:
- Better Than Bouillon – A more unique option, Better Than Bouillon, can be used in a similar way to Bovril but lacks its sweetness.
- Yeast extract – Very similar to Marmite, yeast extract is a lot lighter in texture but is exclusive to certain supermarkets.
Summary
Just because Marmite is a widely hated spread doesn’t mean that those who love it should go without it! It is hard to replicate the flavour of Marmite when you run out but vegemite is extremely similar, just more intense.