Looking for an alternative to Teriyaki Sauce or Teriyaki Marinade? You’re in the right place! Keep reading for my favourite simple Teriyaki Sauce substitutes.
What is Teriyaki Sauce?
Teriyaki is a Japanese cooking technique where food (mostly meat or fish) is marinated or basted with a sweet and salty sauce made from soy sauce, mirin and sugar or honey. The most common cooking technique is broiling (overhwad grilling). Because of the sugar in the sauce cooking in a frying pan or regular grill will cause the food to burn in the pan before it is cooked through.
Although not traditional, I love cooking chicken or fish marinated in teriyaki sauce in the oven or in my air fryer.
The ingredients on my bottle include an appetizing (or not) list of Soy Sauce (Water, Soybean, Wheat, Salt), Mirin (Water, Corn Syrup, Rice, Koji, Alcohol), Sugar, Hydrolysed Soy Protein, Concentrated Fruit Juice, Corn Starch, Yeast Extract, Spices, Flavour Enhancers (621, 631, 627).
The Best Teriyaki Sauce Substitutes
1. Make your own
If I don’t have any teriyaki marinade I make my own using the following ingredients:
+ 2 tablespoons soy sauce
+ 2 tablespoons rice or wine vinegar
+ 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
It’s not as thick as commercial teriyaki but still gives that lovely hit of sweet and salty. For an even more authentic quick version you could substitute mirin for the vinegar.
2. Soy sauce + honey
For an even more simple home made teriyaki, just mix equal parts soy sauce and honey.
3. Oyster sauce
This Chinese sauce is thicker than teriyaki sauce and not quite as sweet. It works well as a marinade or glaze. Consider using less at first rather than going for a 1:1 substitution.
4. Sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
This Indonesian sauce is even sweeter than teriyaki sauce. But will work well. Consider using less at first rather than going for a 1:1 substitution.
5. Hoisin sauce
Another sweet and salty, commercial Chinese sauce. Use in a similar quantity to oyster sauce.
How to store Teriyaki Sauce
I just keep mine in the pantry.
Delicious Teriyaki Sauce Flavour Pairings
- Chicken & Teriyaki Sauce
- Chilli & Teriyaki Sauce
- Ginger & Teriyaki Sauce
- Green Onion & Teriyaki Sauce
- Fish & Teriyaki Sauce
- Cashews & Teriyaki Sauce
- Broccoli & Teriyaki Sauce
- Salmon & Teriyaki Sauce
- Tofu & Teriyaki Sauce
- Sesame Seeds & Teriyaki Sauce
More Ingredient Substitutes
- The Ultimate Guide to Vegetable Substitutes
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Kale
- Collard Greens
- Miso Paste
- Oyster Sauce
- Pesto
- Tahini
Also see see the Simple Ingredients Substitutes Index.
6-Ingredient Japanese Recipes
- Japanese Omelette with Miso Mayo
- Easy Japanese Burgers
- Fast Roast Fish with Miso Mayo
- Miso Satay Eggs
- Okonomiyaki (Japanese Cabbage ‘Pancake’)
- Japanese Steaks with Ginger Miso Mustard
- Miso Satay Eggs
Have fun in the kitchen!
With love,
Jules x