Substitute for Teriyaki Sauce
A sweet and savory Japanese sauce used for glazing, marinating, and stir frying.
The Best Substitute
The Professor's top pick for replacing teriyaki sauce is Soy Sauce + Brown Sugar + Garlic + Ginger at a ratio of 1/4 cup soy sauce + 2 tablespoons brown sugar + 1 teaspoon garlic + 1/2 teaspoon ginger = about 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce. This works well for marinades, stir fries, glazes, rice bowls. Scroll down for complete details on every option, including what to use each one for and what to avoid.
Best Substitutes
Soy Sauce + Brown Sugar + Garlic + Ginger
Flavor impact: This IS teriyaki sauce. Add a teaspoon of cornstarch slurry if you need it thicker.
Dairy-free
Teriyaki sauce is soy sauce + sweet + aromatics. You can make it from pantry staples in 2 minutes. Simmer briefly to dissolve the sugar and thicken with cornstarch if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Teriyaki sauce is thicker (for glazing). Teriyaki marinade is thinner (for soaking). You can thin sauce with water for a marinade, or reduce marinade for a sauce.
The Bottom Line
If you are out of teriyaki sauce, the best all-around substitute is soy sauce + brown sugar + garlic + ginger. Pay attention to the ratio, since substitutes rarely work at exactly 1:1. Consider what role teriyaki sauce plays in your recipe; whether it provides flavor, texture, acidity, or structure; and choose the substitute that best fills that specific role. When in doubt, start with less and adjust to taste.
Source: Culinary reference | Last verified: March 19, 2026 | Our methodology