There are multiple alternatives to Worcestershire sauce in many recipes. However, what may work for one recipe may not work for another. Worcestershire sauce can be described as having a mixture of tastes from sweet to sour and salty to savory. Because of its distinctive taste, you’d think it would be hard to replace but this isn’t true.
One easy substitute is salt. Just by adding a few more pinches of salt can add extra flavoring to your cottage pie. Of course, it won’t have all of the elements of Worcestershire sauce but this may be a good thing for those who dislike the complete flavors of this sauce. You could also add a teaspoon of sugar before the salt to get a flavorsome boost.
Consider using HP sauce or Henderson’s Relish too. Instead of using anchovies, Henderson’s Relish uses no animal products and is very similar to Worcestershire sauce. A perfect substitute for vegetarians. HP sauce is much thicker than Worcestershire sauce but can have a great effect on your cottage pie.