5 Easy Marmite Substitutes for Any Recipe

You either love it or you hate it: but how do you substitute marmite in recipes? Read on to find out.

The savory food spread Marmite was discovered and launched in the UK in 1902 as a tasty by-product of brewer’s yeast, a substance involved in the production of alcohol. Today Marmite and its equivalent Vegemite have become a local favorite within UK, New Zealand, and Australian homes.

Its distinctive and salty taste has proven controversial for those to it is foreign. The UK brand has even launched many “Love it or hate it” campaigns.

Marmite is a good source of several vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B12 or thiamin, and therefore is great to pack into a balanced vegan diet.

In this article, we will cover all the possible marmite replacements and how to use them in recipes.

1. Easy Marmite Substitute: Vegemite

The most obvious substitute for Marmite in a recipe is of course its equivalent Vegemite: first developed in Australia in 1923 as a local product when Marmite imported from England was in short supply.

Marmite is a bit milder and even sweeter than the intense thick taste of the Australian Vegemite. So it might be worth using slightly less as a replacement in a recipe that calls for Marmite.

Another lesser-known equivalent to Marmite and Vegemite, Promite was invented in Australia in the 1950s. It contains more sugar than Vegemite, which gives it a slightly sweeter taste.

2. Marmite Substitute for Baking: Yeast Extract

Very similar to Marmite, there are multiple brands of yeast extract to choose from. It has a lighter consistency than Marmite and doesn’t work as a toast spread.

However, it is a great addition that adds flavor to your bread and baked dishes.

Found in many vegetable broths, some find this a controversial flavor enhancer that they’d prefer to do without.

3. Brewers Yeast or Nutritional Yeast

Marmite is a by-product of brewer’s yeast – so if you can’t find Marmite, why not use brewer’s yeast itself? Brewer’s yeast has a slightly more bitter flavor than the nuttier nutritional yeast. However, both work as a pretty good substitute for Marmite.

You can find them in health food stores.

4. Peanut Butter: Sweet and Salty Marmite Substitute

For those who are not fond of Marmite, peanut butter is a great substitute and way to capture the sweet and salty tastes of Marmite with its rich consistency.

You can spread it on toast, add it to curries or pair it with fruits and vegetables. Watch out for allergies, however!

5. Miso Paste: The Asian Umami-Boot as a Marmite Substitute

Miso paste is made from fermenting soybeans with a mold called koji, which is cultivated from rice, barley, or soybeans. A staple in Asian cuisine, it can be quite easy to find and works as a great replacement for Marmite in marinades, with greens or dishes that contain lemon or vinegar.

How to Make Marmite at Home: Recipe

Can’t find a substitute for Marmite or Vegemite you are satisfied with? 

Make your own! This will make around 200 grams of Marmite.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg leftover sourdough
• 7 g fresh yeast
• 10 g sugar
• 4 l water

Instructions:

1. Cut the sourdough bread into cubes.
2. Mix the sugar and fresh yeast into the water.
3. Add the sourdough and leave to soak for 12 hours.
4. Remove the bread and squeeze it well to get the remaining liquid out.
5. Cover loosely and leave the liquid to ferment for 2 days.
6. Reduce it over low heat for several hours. 

Read on:

• How to Make Yeast: Preparing and Propagating Wild Yeast
• How to Store Yeast and How Long Does it Last?
• 8 Benefits of Being Vegan & Potential Drawbacks

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Tags: Guide recipe Vegan