Easy Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce Recipe (2024)

This homemade gluten-free teriyaki sauce is quick, affordable, and tastes better than anything you can buy in a bottle.

Jill Nystul·January 10, 2024


Easy Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce Recipe (2)

Easy Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce Recipe (3)

Once you know how easy it is to make a homemadegluten-free teriyaki sauce that’s packed with delicious teriyaki flavor, you’ll never want to go back to the bottled stuff! When you’re trying to make teriyaki sauce gluten-free, it’s important to avoid hidden sources of gluten by using a certifiedgluten-free soy sauce or gluten-free tamari.

Even though soy sauce is made from fermented soybeans, it often contains wheat, too, so the average store-bought teriyaki sauce probably isn’t gluten-free. But one of the benefits of making sauces like these at home is that you can easily tailor the ingredients to suit your dietary needs and personal preferences.

The homemade gluten-free teriyaki sauce recipe you’ll find in this post is delicious as written, but can easily be adjusted to suit a low-sodium, vegan, paleo, or soy-free diet. You’ll find plenty of helpful suggestions and substitutions below the recipe, and a bevy of delicious ideas for what to do with it!

How To Make Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce (Recipe)

Easy Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce Recipe (4)

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups cold water
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup gluten-free soy sauce or tamari*
  • 1 tsp garlic powder or granulated garlic
  • 3 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
Easy Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce Recipe (5)

Directions:

Add the water, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, cornstarch, and sesame oil to a saucepan. Whisk well and place on your stove over medium heat.

Easy Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce Recipe (6)

Whisking continuously, simmer the sauce until thickened and darkened in color, then remove from heat.

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Transfer your GF teriyaki sauce to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to one week.

Easy Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce Recipe (8)

Substitutions & Suggestions

There are so many options for this recipe, starting with the main ingredient: soy sauce. Tamari, liquid aminos, and coconut aminos are all viable alternatives with a similar flavor profile, so there are plenty of options there.

Here are a few other adjustments you can make, depending on your wants and needs:

  • Soy-free? Look for a soy-free tamari sauce, or use coconut aminos.
  • Paleo? Use coconut aminos and reduce the amount of sugar, since they’re naturally slightly sweet.
  • On a low-salt diet? Try low-sodium soy sauce or reduced-sodium tamari.
  • Vegan? No changes necessary!
  • Make it organic by ensuring all your ingredients are organic.
  • To make it sugar-free, use a sugar-free brown sugar blend like monk fruit.
  • To make hot teriyaki sauce, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, or a small amount of chili garlic sauce or sriracha sauce.
  • Enhance the flavor by adding fresh garlic and fresh ginger, then blend the sauce briefly before cooking it.
  • Replace part of the brown sugar with maple syrup or honey.
  • Add a splash of rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar for a bright, tangy flavor.
  • Replace part of the water with pineapple juice for sweetness, or more soy sauce to make it more savory.
  • Add a dash of sesame seeds for visual appeal and flavor.
Easy Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce Recipe (9)

How To Use Your Easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

  • Pour your teriyaki sauce over a bowl of rice, some protein (it tastes great on fish, chicken, pork, and beef!), and sautéed veggies for a quick and easy meal.
  • Use it as a teriyaki marinade for deliciousteriyaki flank steak. Slice flank steak into strips, marinate in the teriyaki sauce for about 30 minutes, then cook on the grill for an easy dinner the whole family will love.
  • Use it to make crockpotpineapple teriyaki chicken! I love this recipe because all I have to do is toss some chicken and teriyaki sauce in my crockpot, and dinner is basically ready by the time I get home!
  • Make your own flavorful teriyaki beef jerky by marinating strips of beef in teriyaki sauce before drying them in your oven. It’s easy to do and tastes amazing.
  • I’ve also made slow-cooker beef and broccoli using this delicious sauce with incredible results. I like it better than takeout!
  • Use it as a dipping sauce for dumplings, spring rolls, or egg rolls, a glaze for grilled meats, or as a stir-fry sauce with meat or tofu. Stir-fry has never tasted so good!

How would you use this gluten-free teriyaki sauce recipe?

Easy Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce Recipe (10)

Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

Jill Nystul

This delicious homemade teriyaki sauce is easy, delicious, and only takes a few minutes to make!

4.28 from 47 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Japanese

Servings 6

Calories 139 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups water cold
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup gluten-free soy sauce or gluten-free tamari
  • 1 tsp garlic powder or granulated garlic
  • 3 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp sesame oil

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a saucepan, whisk well, and place over medium heat.

  • Whisk continuously and simmer until the sauce has thickened and darkened in color, then remove from heat.

Nutrition

Calories: 139kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gSodium: 1091mgPotassium: 84mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 27gVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg

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Easy Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What kind of teriyaki sauce is gluten-free? ›

It adds a delicate sweetness to grilled, broiled, roasted or braised foods, before, during or after cooking. Kikkoman® Gluten-Free Teriyaki Marinade and Sauce is Certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America (GIG).

How to thicken teriyaki sauce without cornstarch or flour? ›

Whisk together the soy sauce, water, mirin, brown sugar, garlic and fresh ginger. Bring it to a simmer. Immediately bring the heat down to low and allow to reduce for 10 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl; the mixture will thicken as it cools.

Why isn t teriyaki sauce gluten-free? ›

Traditionally, teriyaki sauce is made with soy sauce, which is not gluten-free because it contains wheat.

What is a substitute for rice vinegar in teriyaki sauce? ›

Rice vinegar is sold near other kinds of vinegar, but if you cannot find it, try cider vinegar or white wine vinegar as a substitute. When tasting the sauce after adding the vinegar, it might taste a little strong.

Does gluten-free teriyaki sauce taste different? ›

Tamari is the base for gluten-free teriyaki sauce, which replaces soy sauce. Tamari is made solely from fermented soybeans, and tastes nearly identical to soy sauce.

Can celiacs eat teriyaki? ›

Teriyaki sauce and soy sauce are not naturally gluten-free, so it can sometimes be hard to enjoy Asian dishes on a gluten-free diet. Fortunately, tamari is an alternative to soy sauce that makes the ideal base for gluten-free teriyaki sauce. Like coconut aminos, tamari is naturally gluten-free.

What can I use instead of cornstarch for teriyaki sauce? ›

Without Cornstarch: Flour may be substituted for cornstarch at a 1:1 ratio in this homemade teriyaki sauce recipe. Teriyaki Sauce Marinade: This is a great marinade! Pour ¼ cup of sauce over raw chicken and set aside to marinate for at least 15 minutes (or longer if using chicken breasts).

What is the best thickener for teriyaki sauce? ›

Teriyaki sauce is a great way to liven up meat and vegetables and provides a delicious Asian flavour to any dish. Don't fret if your sauce is a little thin, simply use heat to reduce the liquid or add a little corn flour. In no time at all, you will have a thicker sauce that is ready to add to your meal.

What to use instead of cornstarch? ›

6 Cornstarch Substitutes for All Your Cooking and Baking Needs
  1. Potato Starch. Potato starch is the cornstarch substitute favorite of associate food editor Kendra Vaculin. ...
  2. Rice Flour. ...
  3. All-Purpose Flour. ...
  4. Tapioca Flour. ...
  5. Arrowroot Powder. ...
  6. Xanthan Gum.
Jun 13, 2022

Why can't celiacs eat soy sauce? ›

Is Soy Sauce Gluten-Free? Regular soy sauce is not gluten-free. Wheat is a primary ingredient in soy sauce, which surprises many people who are new to gluten-free diet. There are several gluten-free soy sauce options available that use rice instead of wheat.

Is Kikkoman teriyaki sauce gluten-free? ›

However, this method of preparation isn't just limited to Japan, it has fans all over the world. Kikkoman Gluten free Teriyaki Marinade is perfect for all the barbecue classics and elevates salads and rice dishes. It's also a great base for preparing delicious dips and perfect for vegan dishes too.

What is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce? ›

Tamari is a great option for people who want all the flavor of soy sauce, but can't eat gluten. Tamari is brewed in a very similar way to soy sauce, but wheat is not used. You can purchase reduced-sodium tamari, with numbers comparable to reduced-sodium soy sauce.

What can I use if I don't have teriyaki sauce? ›

What Is A Substitute For Teriyaki Sauce?
  • Soy Sauce and Brown Sugar. A simple and effective substitute for teriyaki sauce is a combination of soy sauce and brown sugar. ...
  • Hoisin Sauce. ...
  • Worcestershire Sauce and Honey. ...
  • Coconut Aminos. ...
  • Homemade Teriyaki Sauce.
Apr 1, 2024

Can I use balsamic vinegar instead of rice vinegar? ›

7. Balsamic vinegar. If you're fresh out of rice vinegar, balsamic vinegar can be used as a 1:1 substitute. Although it is commonly used in Italian dishes, balsamic makes for an easy substitution in recipes like salad dressings and marinades.

Can I just use vinegar instead of rice vinegar? ›

White Wine Vinegar

Its mild flavor is similar to rice vinegar and won't overpower the dish. It's a good bit more acidic than rice vinegar, but you can sweeten it up by adding ¼ teaspoon sugar for every tablespoon of vinegar. Use a 1:1 ratio of white wine vinegar to rice vinegar.

Is all teriyaki sauce gluten-free? ›

Traditional teriyaki sauce uses soy sauce as an ingredient, and since traditional soy sauce is made with wheat, that makes teriyaki sauce not gluten-free. However, gluten-free options do exist!

Does Panda Express teriyaki sauce have gluten? ›

The teriyaki sauce is made of ginger, garlic, soy sauce, mirin, and brown sugar. Moreover, the ingredients are prepared fresh using shared utensils which can cause cross-contamination with different allergens. Therefore teriyaki chicken from Panda Express is not gluten-free.

Is PF Chang's teriyaki sauce gluten-free? ›

This product has 1 ingredient with gluten and 2 ingredients that may have gluten. Which diet do you follow?

Is Trader Joe's teriyaki gluten-free? ›

This product has 2 ingredients with gluten and 2 ingredients that may have gluten. Which diet do you follow? Follow more than one?

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