Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce
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Indulge guilt-free in this delectable Homemade Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce, a healthier alternative to enjoy in your favorite Japanese food recipes. It is quick and easy to make, thick and tangy, with perfectly balanced flavors without added sugar!
What is sugar free teriyaki sauce?
The word “teriyaki” is derived from two Japanese words: “teri,” which means luster or shine, and “yaki,” which means to grill or broil. Teriyaki sauce is traditionally used as a marinade and glaze for grilling or broiling meats, particularly fish and poultry.
Traditional teriyaki-style cooking involves grilling or broiling meat with a sweet and savory sauce made from ingredients like soy sauce, sake (rice wine), mirin (sweet rice wine), sugar, and sometimes ginger or garlic. The sauce is brushed onto the meat as it cooks, creating a shiny, caramelized glaze and creating a rich flavor.
Store-bought sauces may also contain high fructose corn syrup, and corn or potato starch.
How do you sweeten sugar-free teriyaki sauce?
This sugar free homemade teriyaki sauce replaces granulated sugar with Allulose sugar substitute, Swerve granular or brown sugar substitute, or Lakanto monkfruit golden sweetener, with a touch of added sweetness from pure Stevia powder.
Pineapple juice replaces the mirin, which is mostly sugar, and the sake. I wanted an alcohol-free sauce that is low-carb without giving up any of the Asian flavors that the whole family loves.
For those following a keto diet replace the pineapple juice with water. It was used more for flavoring and acidity, but it could potentially add some sweetness as well.
Ingredients you’ll need
This healthy teriyaki sauce is made using simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
- Tamari sauce, gluten-free soy sauce, or coconut liquid aminos
- Unsweetened pineapple juice – or water
- Granulated sweetener – Allulose does not crystalize like Swerve and Lakanto does, but whatever type is in your pantry will work.
- Fresh garlic
- Fresh ginger
- Cayenne pepper – adds just a bit of heat in the background.
- Grated orange peel
- Toasted sesame oil
- Stevia powder
- Xanthan gum – A food additive and thickening agent used to stabilize food and liquid products. Even in small amounts, it can significantly increase the viscosity of a liquid.
- Toasted sesame seeds – optional garnish
Be sure to check out the detailed printable recipe card below
How to make sugar free teriyaki sauce
Place sweetener, tamari/ gluten-free soy sauce, pineapple juice (or water), garlic, ginger, and cayenne in a small sauce pan.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add the stevia, orange zest, sesame oil and xanthan gum. Whisk together and continue cooking for a minute or so until the sauce starts to thicken.
Holy teriyaki sauce Batman, this stuff is delicious!! And just look at how this Teriyaki Glazed Ham turned out. The sweet sauce offset the saltiness of the ham perfectly.
Expert tips
- Xanthan Gum is used to thicken this sauce in place of corn starch. It will give your sauce a gel type consistency when cold, so you will need to reheat the sauce before using. A little goes a long way, adding too much can result in a slimy or overly thick texture.
- Feel free to substitute low carb teriyaki sauce in any of your favorite recipes, or these recipes below
- For Whole30 & Paleo substitute 0.5-cup of date paste for the sweetener and omit the xanthan gum. Substitute coconut aminos for the tamari and add 1 teaspoon of salt.
- This recipes makes approximately 1 cup of sauce. Two tablespoons of sauce per serving equals 8 servings.
Serving suggestions
Use this sweet and savory sauce in any recipe that includes traditional teriyaki sauce.
- Baked Teriyaki Chicken Wings
- Teriyaki Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
- Grilled Chicken Teriyaki Bowls
- Teriyaki Salmon
- Chicken Teriyaki
- Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich
FAQ’s
Store in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator up to 3 weeks. Gently reheat the sauce on its own in a saucepan or in the microwave before using.
Yes it makes a great marinade. Teriyaki marinade is simply a thinner version of teriyaki sauce. Omit the xanthan gum and allow to cool completely before using.
More sugar free sauce recipes
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Enjoy!!
Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce
Ingredients
- 0.5 cup tamari or gluten-free soy sauce
- .25 cup unsweetened pineapple juice or substitute water if prefered
- 0.5 cup sugar-free sweetener Allulose, Swerve, Lakanto
- 2 large cloves garlic pressed or finely minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger finely grated on a microplane
- .25 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/32 teaspoon stevia powder use the little spoon that comes in the package.
- .25 teaspoon xanthan gum optional for thicker sauce
Instructions
- Place sweetener, tamari/ gluten-free soy sauce, pineapple juice (or water), garlic, ginger, and cayenne in a small sauce pan.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add the stevia, orange zest, sesame oil and xanthan gum. Whisk together and continue cooking for a minute or so until the sauce starts to thicken.
Notes
- Xanthan Gum is used to thicken this sauce in place of corn starch. It will give your sauce a gel type consistency when cold, so you will need to reheat the sauce before using. A little goes a long way, adding too much can result in a slimy or overly thick texture.
- Feel free to substitute low carb teriyaki sauce in any of your favorite recipes, or these recipes below.
- For Whole30 & Paleo substitute 0.5-cup of date paste for the sweetener and omit the xanthan gum. Substitute coconut aminos for the tamari and add 1 teaspoon of salt.
- This recipes makes approximately 1 cup of sauce. Two tablespoons of sauce per serving equals 8 servings.
- Store in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator up to 3 weeks. Gently reheat the sauce on its own in a saucepan or in the microwave before using.
- To make teriyaki marinade: Omit the xanthan gum and allow to cool completely before using.
