Fresh & Easy Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce
By Amanda Paa – Updated April 24, 2023
This gluten-free teriyaki sauce is made with tamari instead of soy sauce, and has the classic richness and shiny luster of this sweet and salty condiment. It comes together in 10 minutes on the stovetop. Fresh ginger and garlic add brightness and balance. Use it as a marinade or sauce for vegetables, meat, and tofu.
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One of the first things I noticed when I went gluten-free in 2011 was that soy sauce was in SO many things, especially sauces and condiments. And what is soy sauce made of? Soybeans and wheat.
Teriyaki sauce is delicious and an integral part of some of my favorite dishes and stir-fries. The main ingredient for teriyaki sauce is soy sauce, so I developed this gluten-free recipe to use instead. This sauce is rich and has a beautiful shiny luster with sweet and salty flavors. Fresh ginger and garlic add brightness and balance.
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. It is slightly less salty and a darker color, with richer flavor. I actually prefer it!
Ingredients for Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce
- tamari
- garlic
- fresh ginger
- rice wine vinegar
- brown sugar
- honey
- cornstarch
- sesame oil
Delicious Ways to Use Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce
Homemade gluten-free teriyaki sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used in multiple ways throughout your meal planning. Here are a few of my favorites:
- toss fresh broccoli with teriyaki sauce and bake!
- as a tofu marinade or finishing sauce
- the perfect sauce for thai rice noodles
- as a sauce for grilled chicken skewers, or grilled shrimp kabobs
- as an addition to fried rice
How to Make Homemade Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce
- In a small saucepan, add all ingredients besides sesame oil and cornstarch. Bring to a gentle boil, whisking to dissolve sugar.
- In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch with 3 tablespoons cool water. Turn heat to medium and whisk cornstarch mixture into saucepan. Let it come to a soft simmer, with bubbles around the edges, and it will start to thicken over 4-5 minutes, coating the back of the spoon. You don’t want it to be overly thick, as it will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Remove from heat and whisk in sesame oil. Pour into a glass jar and let cool before storing in the fridge.
Is all teriyaki sauce gluten-free?
Unfortunately most store-bought bottles of teriyaki sauce are not gluten-free because soy sauce is the main ingredient, which is made from wheat. The same goes for many “teriyaki” restaurant dishes, so be sure to ask your server before ordering.
Luckily, tamari is the one simple ingredient swap you can make at home to replace the soy sauce and create delicious gluten-free teriyaki sauce in just 10 minutes.
More Gluten-Free Sauces:
- 5-Minute Vegan GF Salad Dressing (so good it’s drinkable)
- Super Creamy Homemade Tahini
- Walnut Avocado Yum Sauce
Yield: 1 cup
SCALE:
Ingredients
- ¼ cup tamari
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 cracks of fresh black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (which will be whisked in with 3 additional tablespoons water)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, add all ingredients besides sesame oil and cornstarch. Bring to a gentle boil, whisking to dissolve sugar.
- In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch with 3 tablespoons cool water. Turn heat to medium and whisk cornstarch mixture into saucepan. Let it come to a soft simmer, with bubbles around the edges, and it will start to thicken over 3ish minutes, coating the back of the spoon. You don’t want it to be overly thick, as it will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Remove from heat and whisk in sesame oil. Pour into a glass jar and let cool before storing in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Did you make this?
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April 24, 2023
