Teriyaki Sauce Substitute: Top Alternatives You Can Make at Home

What’s the best teriyaki sauce substitute? This easy teriyaki sauce substitute recipe uses pantry staples—soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, honey, and a touch of ginger and garlic—to create a sweet, sticky alternative. Below you’ll also find a quick explanation of what teriyaki sauce is made of and a list of convenient teriyaki substitutes like hoisin, tamari, ponzu, and coconut aminos. Before you run to the store, check your pantry—you may already have everything you need.

⭐ Teriyaki Sauce Substitute

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

You can quickly make a tasty teriyaki replacement by combining soy sauce with a sweetener and aromatics, then thickening slightly with a cornstarch slurry. Adding mirin or a splash of rice vinegar helps round out the flavor.

Ingredients for a simple homemade teriyaki substitute:

• 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar (packed)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch whisked with 2 tablespoons cold water (cornstarch slurry)

Printable recipe card is included below.

Step-by-step to make this easy teriyaki alternative:

Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is an easy base for a teriyaki-style sauce. Combine soy sauce with sugar or honey and add garlic or ginger for depth. A cornstarch slurry will thicken the mixture. Kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) is another ready-made option that already contains sweetener.

Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin is a thick, aromatic Chinese sauce made with soy, sugar, and spices. It’s similar in sweetness and can be used directly as a teriyaki substitute or thinned with a bit of soy sauce to match the taste profile more closely.

Oyster Sauce

Oyster sauce offers a rich, savory-sweet flavor thanks to oyster extract and soy. It’s a fine substitute—add a little sugar or honey if you want it sweeter or a splash of rice vinegar for balance.

Korean BBQ Sauce

Korean barbecue sauces often combine soy, sugar, garlic, and gochujang (Korean chili paste), delivering a sweet-savory profile with a spicy kick. Use this when a bolder, slightly spicy flavor complements your dish.

Ponzu

Ponzu is a citrus-based Japanese sauce. Mix ponzu with soy sauce and a sweetener to create a bright, tangy teriyaki alternative—nice for fish or lighter dishes.

Tamari

Tamari is a gluten-free soy sauce with a rich, smooth flavor. Pair it with sugar or honey and aromatics for a gluten-free teriyaki substitute.

Mirin

Mirin is a sweet Japanese rice wine often found in teriyaki recipes. Combine mirin with soy, ginger, and garlic for an authentic-tasting substitute; it will be slightly sweeter and aromatic.

Coconut Aminos

Coconut aminos are soy-free and lower in sodium, made from coconut sap. They’re slightly sweeter than soy sauce and work well as a teriyaki alternative for those avoiding soy or gluten.

Bulgogi Sauce

Bulgogi and Kalbi sauces are Korean marinades with soy, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil. Their flavor is different but compatible with many recipes that call for teriyaki.

Worcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire sauce is tangy and savory. Mixed with soy sauce and a sweetener, plus a touch of garlic and ginger, it can work in a pinch as a teriyaki stand-in.

With these options, you can still achieve balanced sweet-and-salty flavors even when you don’t have bottled teriyaki on hand.

FAQs

How to use teriyaki sauce?

Teriyaki sauce works as a marinade, glaze, or dipping sauce. It’s commonly used on grilled skewers, salmon, stir-fries, and vegetables. Add it during cooking to build flavor or use it as a finishing glaze. It also pairs well with rice and noodles.

What sauce does teriyaki mostly taste like?

Teriyaki is closest to a sweetened soy-based sauce—think soy sauce combined with sugar or mirin and a little acid. Similar alternatives include sweet soy (kecap manis), hoisin, Korean BBQ, and oyster sauce.

What is the difference between teriyaki and soy sauce?

Soy sauce is a salty, umami seasoning made from fermented soybeans. Teriyaki is a sauce made from soy sauce plus sweeteners (and often mirin), making teriyaki sweeter, thicker, and more glaze-like than plain soy sauce.

Can you substitute teriyaki sauce for soy sauce?

Yes, but teriyaki is sweeter and thicker. If substituting, reduce added sweeteners and thin the sauce if a thinner, saltier profile is required.

How to make 3-ingredient teriyaki sauce?

Combine equal parts soy sauce, sugar, and mirin (or a substitute like cooking wine). Heat gently until the sugar dissolves. Adjust ratios to taste.

How to make teriyaki sauce without cornstarch?

Use arrowroot powder or a very small amount of xanthan gum as a thickener. Mix arrowroot with cold water before adding, and add gradually while heating until the desired thickness is reached.

What is the best teriyaki sauce for stir fry?

Choose a sauce with a balanced sweet and savory profile that isn’t overly thick. High-quality store-bought glazes work, or make your own and adjust thickness so it coats ingredients without puddling. Additions like fresh ginger, garlic, pineapple juice, or chili flakes can enhance stir-fries.

👩🏻‍🍳 More Recipe Substitutes

Other helpful substitution guides:

• Applesauce Substitute
• Popcorn Alternatives
• Garlic Salt Substitute
• Vegan Substitute for Mascarpone
• Corn Flour Substitute
• Coconut Sugar Substitute
• Best Salsa Substitutes

Teriyaki Sauce Substitute (Best Substitute for Teriyaki Sauce)

Summer Yule

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