If you love teriyaki sauce but want a healthier version without added sugar, this recipe is for you! Traditional teriyaki sauces are often packed with processed sugars, but this version keeps things natural with honey. The result? A perfectly balanced sauce that’s sweet, savory, and full of umami flavor.
This sugar-free teriyaki sauce recipe is incredibly versatile, easy to make, and uses just a handful of pantry staples. Whether you’re using it as a marinade, dipping sauce, or glaze, you’ll love how much flavor it adds to your meals.
Serving Tips
This delicious sauce is incredibly versatile and so much healthier than the store-bought sauces with all the preservatives and unhealthy additives! It resembles the traditional teriyaki sauce and can be adjusted to match your dietary choices and taste. Here are a few delicious ways to enjoy it:
- Poke Bowls – Drizzle over a homemade poke bowl for a restaurant-quality touch.
- Grilled or Baked Proteins – Brush it over salmon, grilled chicken wings, shrimp, or tofu before cooking. It's also a great sauce to marinate chicken for salads.
- Stir-Fries – Toss with veggies and your favorite protein for a quick weeknight meal. This easy recipe will ensure you have a perfect stir fry sauce in no time!
- Dipping Sauce – Perfect for dumplings, spring rolls, or even roasted veggies. We love adding it to our pulled-pork tortilla tacos!
- Marinade – Use it to marinate meats or tofu before grilling or baking for extra depth of flavor. This is also a perfect sauce for pulled pork! (Check out our teriyaki-flavored pulled pork recipe for a hearty meal for the whole family.)
Ingredients
Soy Sauce: Soy sauce is the foundation of any good teriyaki sauce, bringing in that deep umami flavor. Use low-sodium soy sauce if you prefer a less salty taste, or swap it with tamari sauce for a gluten-free version. Regular soy sauce will also work just fine.
Honey: Instead of refined sugar, honey adds natural sweetness and helps create that signature teriyaki glaze. Choose raw or unfiltered honey for added nutrients. Check out the Expert Tips section for alternative sweeteners that can be used in this recipe.
Apple Cider Vinegar: A little tang balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor. Apple cider vinegar also adds a mild fruitiness, but you can substitute it with rice vinegar if preferred.
Fresh Ginger: Ginger adds a warm, slightly spicy kick that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the honey. Freshly grated ginger works best, but you can use ground ginger in a pinch or ginger paste.
Fresh Garlic: Garlic brings a rich depth of flavor, and we can't imagine this sauce without garlic. Fresh minced garlic is ideal, but garlic powder can be used if you’re short on time.
Sesame Oil: A small amount of sesame oil adds a toasted, nutty aroma that takes the sauce to the next level. A little goes a long way!
Directions
Mix the Ingredients – In a bowl or jar, whisk together soy sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil until well combined. Use as a Sauce or Marinade – Use immediately as a marinade or drizzle over your favorite dish.
Thicken the Sauce (Optional) – If you're looking for that sticky teriyaki sauce, we've got you covered! Pour the sauce into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of cornstarch in 1 tablespoon of water, then stir it into the sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
Expert Tips
- You can use your preferred sweetener instead of honey, such as maple or date syrup, brown sugar substitute for a low-carb version (see our keto sweetener guide and sugar-free baking conversion post for more details on different types of sugar-free natural sweeteners). You can even use sugar if you're not into a sugar-free lifestyle.
- Use corn starch as a thickening agent to thicken the sauce when not using it as a marinade. Dissolve two teaspoons of corn starch in a small amount of the sauce, then heat the rest of the sauce and add the corn starch once the sauce starts boiling. Heat for additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce starts thickening, then remove from heat and let it cool completely.
- Add sesame seeds for extra texture or chili flakes for a spicier version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Store it in an airtight container (like a mason jar or a bottle with a cap) in the fridge for up to a week for later use. Shake or stir before using, as some ingredients may settle.
Absolutely! You can use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. It’s slightly sweeter but works great in this recipe.
For a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a few drops of sriracha.
You can use ½ teaspoon of ground ginger instead, but fresh will give the best flavor.
Easy & Healthy Teriyaki Honey Sauce Without Sugar
Ingredients
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 clove garlic
Optional (for thickening):
- 2 teaspoon corn starch
Instructions
- Mix the Ingredients: In a bowl or jar, whisk together all the basic ingredients until well combined. Use immediately as a marinade or drizzle over your favorite dish.
- To make a thicker sauce (optional but recommended for a more authentic texture): Pour the sauce into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of cornstarch in 1 tablespoon of water, then stir it into the sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
Notes
- Use your preferred sweetener instead of honey, such as maple or date syrup, brown sugar substitute for a low-carb version. You can even use sugar if you're not into a sugar-free lifestyle.
- Add sesame seeds for extra texture or chili flakes for a spicier version.
- Store in an airtight container in a fridge for up to a week.
This easy healthy teriyaki sauce is a simple way to add bold, delicious flavor to your meals while keeping things healthy. Whether you're drizzling it over poke bowls, using it as a marinade, or stirring it into a quick stir-fry, it's a recipe worth keeping in your back pocket. Try it out and let us know how you liked it!
Nutritional Information
Disclaimer: This nutrition label has been created using the calculator provided by www.verywellfit.com, and it may not be 100% accurate.
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