Out of Eel sauce, one case
Eel sauce substitute, in depth
3 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Teriyaki sauce
Same amount as the eel sauce
The best substitutes for eel sauce are teriyaki sauce, sweet soy sauce, and homemade eel sauce made with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Teriyaki sauce is the closest substitute with nearly identical flavor and texture.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- sushi
One casethe full eel sauce card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of eel sauce | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Teriyaki saucesushi | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 2 | Sweet soy saucesushi | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 3 | Hoisin saucesushi | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
Teriyaki sauce
similar taste and texture
The closest substitute to eel sauce with nearly identical flavor and texture
- Best for
- sushi, grilled meats, stir-fries, marinades
- Availability
- widely available
Use in equal amounts. Very similar sweetness and thickness to eel sauce.
Sweet soy sauce
similar taste and texture
Sweetened soy sauce that mimics eel sauce's flavor profile
- Best for
- sushi, grilled meats, stir-fries, marinades
- Availability
- widely available
Similar flavor and texture. Good for most applications where eel sauce is needed.
Hoisin sauce
different taste, similar texture
Sweet, thick Chinese sauce with similar consistency
- Best for
- sushi, grilled meats, stir-fries, marinades
- Availability
- widely available
Similar thickness and sweetness, though flavor profile is slightly different.
The longer answer
About this case
Eel sauce, also known as unagi sauce, is a sweet, thick Japanese condiment that's essential for authentic sushi and grilled eel dishes.
Notes on eel sauce
Make authentic eel sauce at home with simple ingredients
How to make it
Ingredients
- Soy sauce · ¼ cup · Use regular soy sauce or low-sodium if preferred
- Mirin · ¼ cup · Sweet Japanese rice wine, essential for authentic flavor
- Sugar · 2 tablespoons · White sugar or brown sugar for deeper flavor
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan
- Bring to a boil over medium heat
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes
- Stir occasionally until sauce thickens and reduces by half
- Remove from heat and let cool
- Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks
- Yield
- About ¼ cup
- Storage
- Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 2 weeks
- Spicy eel sauceAdd ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or sriracha
- Best for: Spicy sushi rolls and grilled meats
- Garlic eel sauceAdd 1 minced garlic clove during cooking
- Best for: Grilled meats and stir-fries
- Sesame eel sauceAdd 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil at the end
- Best for: Sushi and rice bowls
Specialized substitutes that work well with sushi and sashimi
Teriyaki sauceSame amount
Good for sushi rolls and nigiri
Most authentic substitute for sushi applications
- Application
- Drizzle over sushi rolls or use as dipping sauce
- Taste
- similar
- Texture
- similar
Sweet soy sauce + mirin2 parts for every 1 part, sweet soy sauce to mirin
Custom blend for sushi-specific applications
Adds the right balance of sweetness and umami for sushi
- Application
- Mix and drizzle over sushi or use as dipping sauce
- Taste
- similar
- Texture
- similar
Homemade eel sauceSame amount
Authentic homemade version good for sushi
Most authentic option when you have time to make it
- Application
- Use exactly like store-bought eel sauce
- Taste
- identical
- Texture
- identical
- Use room temperature sauce for better consistency
- Drizzle lightly to avoid overwhelming the fish
- Pair with wasabi and pickled ginger for authentic experience
- Store sushi with sauce in refrigerator and consume within 24 hours
What to use when you don't have mirin for homemade eel sauce
Dry sherry + sugar¼ cup dry sherry + 1 tablespoon sugar
Best mirin substitute for eel sauce
Mix sherry with sugar to replicate mirin's sweetness
- Taste
- similar
- Texture
- similar
White wine + sugar¼ cup white wine + 1 tablespoon sugar
Good alternative when sherry isn't available
Use dry white wine and add sugar for sweetness
- Taste
- different
- Texture
- similar
Rice vinegar + sugar¼ cup rice vinegar + 2 tablespoons sugar
Vinegar-based alternative
More acidic than mirin but works in a pinch
- Taste
- different
- Texture
- different
Skip mirin, add extra sugar¼ cup soy sauce + 3 tablespoons sugar
Simplest alternative without alcohol
Skip mirin entirely and increase sugar for sweetness
- Taste
- different
- Texture
- similar
How to make it
Ingredients
- Sake · ½ cup · Japanese rice wine
- Sugar · 2 tablespoons · White sugar for sweetness
Instructions
- Combine sake and sugar in a small saucepan
- Heat over low heat until sugar dissolves
- Let cool before using in eel sauce recipe
- Sushi and sashimiTeriyaki sauce or homemade eel sauceDrizzle lightly over sushi rolls or use as dipping sauceUse room temperature sauce for best consistency
- Grilled eel (unagi)Homemade eel sauce or teriyaki sauceBrush on during grilling and drizzle over finished dishApply in layers for maximum flavor penetration
- Stir-friesSweet soy sauce or hoisin sauceAdd during final minutes of cookingMix with other sauces for complex flavor
- MarinadesTeriyaki sauce or homemade eel sauceCombine with other marinade ingredientsMarinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours for best results
- Rice bowlsAny eel sauce substituteDrizzle over rice and toppingsAdd sesame seeds and green onions for garnish
Vegetarian/vegan
Check labels carefully as some teriyaki sauces may contain fish ingredients
Suitable substitutes
- Homemade eel sauce (without fish ingredients)
- Teriyaki sauce (check ingredients)
- Sweet soy sauce
- Hoisin sauce
Avoid
- Oyster sauce (contains shellfish)
- Fish sauce-based substitutes
Gluten-free
Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of regular soy sauce
Suitable substitutes
- Homemade eel sauce with gluten-free soy sauce
- Gluten-free teriyaki sauce
- Coconut aminos-based substitutes
Avoid
- Regular soy sauce-based substitutes
- Teriyaki sauce with wheat
Low-sodium
Reduce salt in homemade versions and check sodium content on labels
Suitable substitutes
- Homemade eel sauce with low-sodium soy sauce
- Low-sodium teriyaki sauce
- Reduced-sodium hoisin sauce
Avoid
- Regular soy sauce-based substitutes
- High-sodium commercial sauces
Sugar-free/keto
Use monk fruit, stevia, or erythritol as sugar substitutes
Suitable substitutes
- Homemade eel sauce with sugar substitute
- Sugar-free teriyaki sauce
- Stevia or erythritol-based versions
Avoid
- Regular teriyaki sauce
- Sweet soy sauce
- Hoisin sauce
| Substitute | Refrigerator | Freezer | Room temperature | Storage tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homemade eel sauce | 2 weeks | 3 months | Not recommended | Store in airtight glass container. Shake before use if separated. |
| Teriyaki sauce | 6 months (unopened), 1 month (opened) | Not recommended | 6 months (unopened) | Check expiration date. Refrigerate after opening. |
| Sweet soy sauce | 6 months (unopened), 1 month (opened) | Not recommended | 6 months (unopened) | Refrigerate after opening to maintain quality. |
| Hoisin sauce | 6 months (unopened), 1 month (opened) | Not recommended | 6 months (unopened) | Refrigerate after opening. May thicken when cold. |
- Off smell or sour odor
- Mold growth on surface
- Change in color or texture
- Separation that doesn't mix when shaken
- Bitter or off taste
Sauce is too thin
Solutions
- Simmer longer to reduce and thicken
- Add cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tsp water)
- Add more sugar and simmer until dissolved
Sauce is too thick
Solutions
- Add water or mirin to thin out
- Warm gently to make more pourable
- Add a splash of soy sauce
Sauce is too salty
Solutions
- Add more sugar to balance
- Dilute with water or mirin
- Add a splash of rice vinegar
Sauce is too sweet
Solutions
- Add more soy sauce
- Add a splash of rice vinegar
- Add a pinch of salt
Sauce doesn't taste like eel sauce
Solutions
- Ensure you're using mirin, not just soy sauce and sugar
- Simmer longer to develop flavors
- Add a splash of sake for depth
Questions
10 questionsWhat is a substitute for eel sauce?
The best substitutes for eel sauce are teriyaki sauce, sweet soy sauce, and homemade eel sauce made with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Teriyaki sauce is the closest substitute with nearly identical flavor and texture.
What can I substitute for eel sauce?
You can substitute teriyaki sauce, sweet soy sauce, hoisin sauce, or make homemade eel sauce with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Teriyaki sauce works best as a 1:1 replacement for most applications.
What is a good substitute for eel sauce?
Teriyaki sauce is the best substitute for eel sauce because it has similar sweetness, thickness, and flavor profile. Sweet soy sauce and homemade eel sauce are also excellent alternatives.
What's a substitute for eel sauce?
Teriyaki sauce, sweet soy sauce, and homemade eel sauce are the best substitutes. Teriyaki sauce can be used in equal amounts and provides the closest flavor match to authentic eel sauce.
What can you substitute for eel sauce?
You can substitute teriyaki sauce (1:1 ratio), sweet soy sauce (1:1 ratio), hoisin sauce (1:1 ratio), or make homemade eel sauce with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Each works well for different applications.
Best substitute for eel sauce?
Teriyaki sauce is the best substitute for eel sauce because it has the most similar flavor profile, sweetness, and texture. Use it in equal amounts as a direct replacement for eel sauce in any recipe.
Eel sauce substitute for sushi?
For sushi, teriyaki sauce is the best eel sauce substitute. It has the right sweetness and consistency for drizzling over sushi rolls or using as a dipping sauce. Sweet soy sauce also works well for sushi applications.
Eel sauce mirin substitute?
If you don't have mirin for homemade eel sauce, use dry sherry with sugar (¼ cup sherry + 1 tbsp sugar), white wine with sugar, or simply increase the sugar in your soy sauce mixture. Dry sherry is the closest mirin substitute.
Substitute for mirin in eel sauce?
To substitute mirin in eel sauce, use dry sherry with sugar (¼ cup sherry + 1 tbsp sugar), white wine with sugar, or rice vinegar with extra sugar. Dry sherry provides the closest flavor match to mirin.
What is eel sauce substitute?
Eel sauce substitute refers to any alternative that can replace eel sauce in recipes. The best substitutes are teriyaki sauce, sweet soy sauce, and homemade eel sauce made with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar.