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You are going to LOVE this incredible Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce! It’s quick to make in under 10 minutes, gluten-free, and Paleo-friendly. The taste is a perfect blend of sweet and salty flavors. It will become your go-to sauce to use for stir-fries, chicken dishes, or rice bowls.
If you are looking for a healthier alternative to store-bought teriyaki sauce or you follow a gluten-free diet then you need to try this homemade gluten-free teriyaki sauce! It is so easy to make and has a ton of amazing flavor!
The base of the sauce is made with tamari, which is a gluten-free soy sauce. You could also use coconut aminos, which are also naturally gluten-free. Both of these are great if you have celiac disease especially since you can find them in the Asian aisle of almost any grocery store.
Some Asian-inspired meals I have made using this teriyaki sauce are air fryer salmon bites, air fryer chicken teriyaki, and this easy pineapple teriyaki chicken. We also love to use this sauce as a dipping sauce for egg rolls!
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What is in teriyaki sauce?
An authentic Japanese teriyaki sauce typically combines soy sauce, mirin or rice vinegar, white or brown sugar, sake, and cornstarch as the base, with other flavors like garlic and ginger added to enhance the flavors even more. This version is made a little healthier and gluten-free by using maple syrup as the sweetener, and tamari in place of the regular soy sauce.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- A healthier gluten-free version of traditional teriyaki sauce.
- Easy, ready in under 10 minutes.
- Made with a few ingredients right from your pantry.
- Amazing teriyaki flavor!
- Stores great!
- Makes a great sauce if you are following a low-calorie diet since it has less than 30 calories per serving.
Ingredients You Will Need
One of the best parts about this teriyaki sauce is that you can make it with a few pantry staples that you probably already have. Here is what you will need.
- Tamari: A gluten-free alternative to soy sauce, rich and flavorful.
- Sesame oil: Adds a nutty and aromatic touch to enhance the taste.
- Rice vinegar or mirin: Provides tanginess and a hint of sweetness for balance.
- Maple syrup: A natural sweetener that brings a touch of sweetness.
- Corn starch: Used to thicken the mixture for a smooth texture.
- Ginger paste: Adds a zesty and fresh ginger flavor to the mix.
- Garlic paste: Infuses a robust and savory garlic taste.
- Sesame seeds: optional but so good!
*See the recipe card located at the bottom of this post for the complete list of recipe ingredients, instructions, and nutrition.
How to make gluten-free teriyaki sauce – Step by Step
Step 1: Add all of the sauce ingredients to a medium size saucepan and use a whisk to combine it all. Bring that to a boil on the stovetop, reduce the heat to a simmer, and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes while whisking a few times until the sauce thickens.
Step 2: Remove it from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. The teriyaki sauce will thicken even more as it cools. Top with sesame seeds, if desired. Then you can use it right away or store it and keep it for up to 4 weeks in the refrigerator.
Pro tip: Keep a close eye on the heat. Teriyaki sauce can thicken quickly, so it’s important to stir continuously and adjust the heat as needed to prevent it from burning or becoming too thick. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a small amount of water or additional tamari to thin it out to your desired consistency.
Substitutions
This teriyaki sauce is easy to make gluten-free. Here are a few substitutions to the recipe that will still keep it gluten-free.
- Garlic powder (¼ teaspoon), ground ginger (¼ teaspoon), or fresh garlic and ginger can be used in place of the garlic and ginger paste.
- Apple cider vinegar can be used in place of rice vinegar as well.
- Coconut aminos in place of the tamari can be used since it is also gluten-free.
Variations
Here are a few variations to this recipe that are also delicious.
- Paleo – use pineapple juice in place of maple syrup as the sweetener for the sauce. You can also use coconut sugar. Use arrowroot powder in place of the cornstarch.
- Vegan – this recipe is already vegan.
- Spicy– use spicy sesame oil for an added kick.
- Savory teriyaki sauce– to make this recipe more savory than sweet, use half the amount of maple syrup.
See this spicy buffalo sauce for another easy homemade sauce you will love!
Equipment
Here are the tools you will need to make this recipe.
- Pot or saucepan
- Whisk
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
Storage
This homemade teriyaki sauce can be stored in the refrigerator after it has cooled completely, in an airtight container for 3-4 weeks! It also freezes very well for up to 2 months.
Top tips and tricks
- Use a metal whisk to easily combine the ingredients and thicken the sauce as it cooks.
- Let it cool completely before you use it. It will also thicken as it cools.
- You can store it in the fridge in a mason jar or airtight container. This sauce also freezes really well in a freezer-friendly container or separate portions in an ice cube tray, then pop some out and toss it in a pan to defrost it when you are ready to use it.
FAQ
Yes, traditional teriyaki sauce contains gluten, due to the use of soy sauce made from fermented soybeans and wheat. However, this teriyaki sauce recipe is gluten-free since we substituted the soy sauce with tamari, which is naturally gluten-free.
Yes, Kikkoman teriyaki marinade does contain gluten since they use soy sauce as an ingredient.
Ways to use homemade teriyaki Sauce
Here are a few ways we love to use this easy homemade sauce.
- As a stir-fry sauce.
- A dipping sauce for chicken, egg rolls, and potstickers.
- As a marinade for chicken, salmon, or shrimp.
- Blended into meat mixtures for turkey burgers or meatballs. Or brushed on them for added flavor.
Other gluten-free recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Check out all of my homemade sauce recipes on PMG!
Did you try this gluten-free teriyaki sauce recipe? If you did then please leave a rating and comment below and let me know how you liked it!
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Homemade Gluten Free Teriyaki Sauce
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
You are going to love this incredible Gluten Free Teriyaki Sauce! It’s quick to make in under 10 minutes, gluten-free, and paleo-friendly. The taste is a perfect blend of sweet and salty flavors. This is sure to become your go-to sauce for stir-fries, chicken, and rice bowls.
Ingredients
- ½ cup tamari or coconut aminos
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or mirin
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Add all of the sauce ingredients to a medium saucepan and use a metal whisk to combine. You want to mix everything together until it forms a smooth, brown mixture. Bring the pot with the sauce in it to a boil on the stovetop then reduce the heat to simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Whisk the sauce as it simmers, this will help thicken it. Once the sauce looks thicker, remove it from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Then you can use it right away or store it for up to 4 weeks in the refrigerator.
Notes
- To make this teriyaki sauce paleo, you can use arrowroot powder in place of the cornstarch and pineapple juice or coconut sugar in place of the maple syrup.
- Leftover sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. You can also portion the sauce in an ice cube tray and freeze it for up to 2 months. When ready to use, simply remove it from the freezer, pop portions out of the ice cube tray, and into a pan to heat it up.
- Prep Time: 2 Minutes
- Cook Time: 5 Minutes
- Category: Dressings and Sauces
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
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