6 Creative Ways To Use Soy Sauce In Everyday Indian Cooking

Soy sauce is probably one of those staples sitting in most people's pantries, brought out only every so often for an occasional stir-fry or noodle dish. But this condiment is so much more versatile, from the umami flavour and rich colour it can pack to really help perk up a good variety of dishes beyond Chinese cuisine. From marinating meats to adding depth to soups and enhancing salad dressings, soy sauce will be your little secret weapon that pushes your cooking to the next level. If you are looking to experiment in the kitchen, it is time you give this humble bottle an opportunity to shine in ways you might not expect. 

What is Soy Sauce? 

Soy sauce is an Asian condiment older than 2,000 years. Made from fermented soy, wheat, and salt in water, it's a condiment staple in many global households. In fact, it's the fermentation process that gives soy sauce its dark colour and strong umami flavour. Light, dark, and tamari are some of the soy sauce variations available, offering different flavours for different applications. In India, soy sauce is almost instantly associated with Chinese dishes like fried rice and Manchurian, but its uses are immense. Knowing what it tastes like will help you use it in various dishes. 

Soy sauce is fantastic as the base of a marinade; it not only provides salty flavour but also depth. Whisk soy sauce with ingredients like ginger, garlic, honey, and lime juice to create a marinade perfect with chicken, fish, or even paneer. It will tenderize the meat while imparting a great rich savoury taste. Let the meat soak in the marinade for at least 30 minutes for penetration of flavours to get the best results while cooking. 

Make Your Soups and Stews More Flavourful 

A dash of soy sauce can work magic in your soups and stews. It brings umami that does its job of evening the flavour, which makes it complex and filling. Of course, a teaspoon of soy sauce—be it a very basic vegetable soup or a more substantial dal—will work like magic. But more so in tomato-based soups and lentil dishes, its saltiness cuts acidity and richness. 

Salad Dressings 

Soy sauce could just do the trick for your salad dressings. Instead of just the run-of-the-mill lemon juice and olive oil, whisk soy sauce with a little vinegar, sesame oil, and a little honey to make a dressing that will be at once tangy and umami-rich. This dressing works wonderfully with fresh greens and even grilled vegetables or fruit salads. The soy sauce not only adds flavour but a nice colour to the dressing. 

Use in Indian Curries 

While it may sound unusual, soy sauce can be that secret ingredient in Indian curries. A judicious amount added toward the end of cooking can round out the flavours and make your curry taste fuller. It works really well with meat curries—like chicken or mutton—especially by enhancing the richness of the gravy. But use it sparingly, since too much of it can overpower the other spices very easily. 

Level Up Your Fried Snacks 

You could use it to raise even fried snacks like pakoras and samosas to a whole new level. Add a few drops of soy sauce to the batter or the filling, and you'll get subtle umami flavouring in the snack. Alternatively, mix soy sauce with a bit of chilli sauce to create a dipping sauce perfect for these crunchy treats. That is a totally unexpected twist and might just make your snacks even more irresistible. 

Add depth to rice dishes 

Beyond the usual fried rice, soy sauce can be used in a lot of other rice dishes. Just a bit added to your pulao or biryani will increase the depth of flavour. Vegetable pulao and soy sauce go really well together, as it enhance the taste of the vegetables and the rice. You can use it in khichdi, or just as a seasoning for plain steamed rice, which will give it a richer and more savoury flavour.