Ever wondered, what is Coconut Aminos
and why it’s a better choice than soy sauce? Read on to find out and to get some great Coconut Aminos recipe ideas! This post contains affiliate links for products I’m obsessed with.
What is Coconut Aminos?
If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know I LOVE to use Coconut Aminos
in all of my Asian inspired recipes, but I often get the question, What is Coconut Aminos? Very simply, Coconut Aminos is a gluten and soy-free seasoning sauce. It has a very similar flavor profile as soy sauce, but it has additional health benefits and health claims, as well. But this is just the simple answer! There are more reasons why Coconut Aminos is my go-to! Keep reading!
Coconut Aminos Ingredients
Coconut aminos is made from simple ingredients. First, the sauce comes from the nectar of the coconut blossom, commonly referred to as the sap of the coconut plant. The nectar is fermented, then mixed with sea salt to give it the signature umami flavor.
What does Coconut Aminos taste like?
First, Organic Coconut Aminos does NOT taste like coconut. It has a similar taste profile and salty umami flavor to soy sauce, but it does have a slightly sweet flavor and is definitely not as salty. I totally prefer its savory flavor now and people can’t tell the difference when I cook with it, making it a good alternative and popular soy sauce substitute.
Soy Sauce VS Coconut Aminos
While soy sauce is a popular condiment ingredient in Asian cuisine, it has a very high sodium content. It also usually contains GMO soy, and gluten – two ingredients that we avoid in my family. And the high sodium content isn’t a good choice when you are trying to cook healthier for the 21 Day Fix.
Most 21 Day Fix recipes call for low sodium soy sauce, but the sodium level in this can still be high, and the ingredients will not give you the same benefits as Coconut Aminos. Just simply swap out the soy sauce for an equal amount of coconut aminos.
My bottle of Coconut Aminos has a sodium level of 90mg per tablespoon, or 4% daily value. My Organic Low Sodium Soy Sauce has 680 mg of sodium, or 28% daily value. That’s a HUGE difference!
What’s the difference between coconut aminos and soy sauce?
Coconut aminos is a great gluten-free alternative that can be used in place of soy sauce in many recipes. Coconut aminos have less sodium (like a third of the amount) than soy sauce and typically has a sweeter yet more mild taste. Coconut aminos are gluten free and are made from coconut tree sap. Traditional soy sauce is made from fermented soybeans and wheat.
Why is Coconut Aminos good for you?
Unlike heavily processed soy sauce, Coconut Aminos are made simply with two ingredients: coconut sap and sea salt. Coconut Aminos are gluten-free, non-GMO, soy-free, MSG-free, kosher, keto friendly, Whole 30 compliant, vegan and often organic. They also reap all the health benefits found in whole coconut and have a number of nutritional qualities all on their own.
The best part about Coconut Aminos is that it offers 17 of the 20 key amino acids we need to stay healthy and active. The human body can only naturally produce 10 of them; the rest we have to absorb through nutritious food! These amino acids help with muscle repair, brain and nervous system coordination, Immunity, and high energy levels.
Not to mention how exciting it is to find and be able to use something that’s great for low-sodium diets, soy-free diets, and the perfect thing for those with food allergies, like soy allergies, or food sensitivities to use.
Coconut Aminos is also a great source of Vitamin B and Vitamin C.
In addition, using Coconut Aminos can:
- Help regulate cholesterol by raising HDL, or the good cholesterol, which is good for lowering your risk of heart disease.
- Reduce risk of diabetes; coconut Aminos is also one of the low glycemic foods, so it won’t cause blood sugar spikes!
- Aid in weight loss by increasing adiponectin (a protein hormone that is involved in regulating blood glucose) which has been related to lower fat levels in the body.
- Strengthen the immune system because it’s so high in antioxidants.
- Reduces inflammation in the body.
Pretty great, right? All in a healthy, tasty condiment!
**Important Note – Liquid Aminos is NOT the same as Coconut Aminos!
Don’t be fooled by Liquid Aminos. Although this product is gluten free, it is not the same as Coconut Aminos at all – the sodium content is very high – higher than Low Sodium Soy sauce and the ingredients aren’t always clean. It’s a common mistake to confuse the two, but they are very different products.
Where can I buy Coconut Aminos?
My favorite brand of Coconut Aminos is Coconut Secret
Coconut Aminos because it doesn’t have any added sugar. Luckily, I can find it in several of my grocery stores, I don’t have to hunt down the natural foods store. One store has it with the healthy, gluten free foods, and another has it right with the regular soy sauce. So always ask if you can’t find it!
If you can’t find Coconut Aminos at your local grocery store, you can buy it on Amazon
or on Thrive Market (new members get 25% off!) if you are a member.
Trader Joe’s also has their own brand of this delicious product too. I use the Trader Joe version in a pinch because it has added sugar, but it’s very little and still a healthy choice!
Some health food stores will have this savory seasoning sauce by the salad dressings section and others may have it by the dipping sauce section. It looks like a dark soy sauce, so always be sure to read the labels and make sure you’re grabbing the right thing!
Coconut Aminos Substitute
If you come across a recipe of mine that uses coconut aminos, but you can’t find it, you can use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in it’s place.
What are some Recipes that use Coconut Aminos?
If you’re looking for some delicious ways to use Coconut Aminos as a healthier alternative, I’ve got you covered with some of the most popular recipes from my archives!
Instant Pot Chicken and Broccoli (21 Day Fix)
Instant Pot Asian Steak Lettuce Wraps | 21 Day Fix Asian Steak Lettuce Wraps
Instant Pot Ramen Noodles (Stovetop Option) | 21 Day Fix Ramen Noodles (Gluten-free/Dairy-free)
Instant Pot Asian Pork Tenderloin (21 Day Fix)
21 Day Fix Instant Pot Asian Chicken
21 Day Fix Kung Pao Cauliflower
Simple Stir Fry with Chicken and Veggies
Monica says
Thank you for this explanation and for the link! I have often wondered what the difference was and have not been able to find coconut aminos in my grocery store so the amazon link is great!
Nancylynn says
I am so glad!
Deborah says
I love coconut aminos, too! But you mentioned that Trader Joe’s brand has added sugar. It doesn’t. The only ingredients are organic coconut sap, water, and sea salt. It’s the only coconut aminos I buy.
Nancylynn says
Interesting – I swear it had more sugar than my other one! Thanks for letting me know!
Stefanie says
Do you think coconut aminos would work as a meat marinade? I have a recipe that calls for soy sauce but I wasn’t sure if coconut aminos had the same abilityy to break down meat.
Nancylynn says
I have used it and it works great!
shelly says
Can you please explain how soy sauce is considered “heavily processed” and coconut aminos are not when they are both made utilizing similar processes? In the case of soy sauce soy, wheat and salt are fermented then solids removed and in the case of coconut aminos coconut sap and salt are fermented.
Nancylynn says
Here is more information on the process: https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/soy-sauce-the-good-the-bad-and-the-surprisingly-ugly/
Nichole LaPado says
How do you count coconut aminos? I can never figure out what container and how much.
Nancylynn says
I don’t count it
aecci0011 says
one of the best blog ever .bookmarked for future read.
Nayab Riaz says
one of the best blog ever .bookmarked for future read.
Nancylynn says
Thank you