🍯 Sauces & Condiments

Teriyaki Sauce Substitute: Complete Guide to Alternatives

Discover the best teriyaki sauce substitutes for cooking, marinating, and glazing. Learn ratios, recipes, and when to use each alternative.

✓

Quick Answer

The best teriyaki sauce substitutes are homemade teriyaki (soy sauce + mirin + sugar), hoisin sauce, or barbecue sauce. For authentic flavor, make your own with equal parts soy sauce, mirin, and brown sugar.

Best Substitutes

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

1:1

Authentic teriyaki flavor with complete control over ingredients

Best for:

cookingmarinatingglazingstir-fries

Mix 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup mirin, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch. Simmer until thickened.

Hoisin Sauce

1:1

Chinese sweet and savory sauce with similar umami profile

Best for:

glazingmarinatingstir-friesroasting

Thicker and sweeter than teriyaki, but works well for glazing and marinating

Barbecue Sauce

1:1

Sweet and tangy sauce that works well for glazing and marinating

Best for:

grillingroastingmarinatingglazing

Add a splash of soy sauce to make it more savory and less sweet

Soy Sauce + Brown Sugar + Cornstarch

1:1

Simple 3-ingredient substitute that captures the essential teriyaki elements

Best for:

cookingmarinatingglazingstir-fries

Mix 3 parts soy sauce, 1 part brown sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch per cup. Simmer until thickened.

Worcestershire Sauce + Honey

1:1

Tangy and sweet combination that works well for meat glazes

Best for:

glazingmarinatingroasting

Mix 2 parts Worcestershire sauce with 1 part honey for a sweet-savory glaze

Cooking Tips

  • 💡For authentic teriyaki flavor, always include soy sauce as the base
  • 💡Add a splash of rice vinegar or sake for depth of flavor
  • 💡Use brown sugar instead of white sugar for better caramelization
  • 💡Thicken with cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water) for proper glaze consistency
  • 💡Let the sauce cool slightly before using as a glaze to prevent it from running off
  • 💡For marinating, use the sauce at room temperature for better absorption
  • 💡Store homemade teriyaki sauce in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Find the best teriyaki sauce substitutes including homemade recipes, hoisin sauce, and barbecue sauce. Learn ratios, cooking tips, and when to use each alternative for perfect results.