This authentic Vegan Teriyaki Sauce recipe will elevate your vegan Stir Fry dishes to a whole new level of deliciousness. Get ready to savor the rich, umami-packed flavors of Teriyaki in just 15 minutes!
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Picture this: a plate of sizzling teriyaki-glazed tofu, aromatic jasmine rice, and a medley of crisp, steamed vegetables. Yum, right?!
The rich, oil-free caramelized vegan teriyaki sauce clings to every surface making eating all your veggies a breeze. Want me to eat 5 lbs of broccoli? Cover it in teriyaki. Joking, kind of, I love broccoli any way its cooked.
BUT, this vegan teriyaki sauce is a quintessential Japanese sauce that's perfect for any plant-based diet.
Let's get to it!
Ingredients you'll need for vegan teriyaki sauce
To recreate the authentic flavors of Teriyaki, you'll need just four key ingredients:
- 1 cup of soy sauce: Opt for a high-quality soy sauce to provide the rich umami base for your sauce. As all recipes on Plantsapalooza are gluten-free, we're using tamari for a gluten free option.
- 1 cup of mirin: This sweet rice wine adds a subtle sweetness and a glossy finish to your Teriyaki Sauce.
- 1 cup of sake: Sake, a Japanese rice wine, infuses complexity and depth into the sauce.
- ½ cup of sugar: Granulated sugar balances the savory notes with a touch of sweetness, contributing to the classic Teriyaki profile.
With these authentic ingredients in hand, you're ready to embark on your Teriyaki adventure.
How to make homemade vegan teriyaki sauce
- Combining the Essentials: In a saucepan over medium heat, pour in your soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar.
- Bringing to a Boil: Allow the mixture to come to a gentle boil. As it heats, you'll notice the sugar dissolving and the sauce thickening slightly.
- Simmering to Perfection: Reduce the heat to low, letting your Teriyaki Sauce simmer gently. Keep an eye on it, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired consistency. This typically takes about 10 minutes.
- Cool and Store: Remove your saucepan from the heat and let the Teriyaki Sauce cool to room temperature. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Once cooled, transfer it to a glass jar or bottle for storage.
How to store leftover teriyaki sauce
Store any leftover teriyaki sauce in a tightly sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for up to one month.
If you have added other ingredients in as variations, this time may be reduced to 5-7 days. Things like citrus juice, fresh aromatics like garlic and ginger, or chilies will all reduce the amount of time the sauce will keep.
Fun Variations
While the traditional Vegan Teriyaki Sauce recipe is a masterpiece in its own right, there's always room for creative variations:
- Garlic Infusion: Add a couple of minced fresh garlic cloves to the sauce. I love doing this when using the teriyaki sauce as a dipping sauce for broccoli.
- Ginger Zest: Throw in a few slices of fresh ginger for a delightful kick.
- Chili Heat: Spice things up with a dash of red pepper flakes or a few drops of hot sauce.
- Citrus Splash: Squeeze in some fresh orange or pineapple juice to give your Teriyaki Sauce a zesty twist.
- Nutty Twist: Add some toasted sesame seeds just before serving or a drizzle of sesame oil.
Allergen Substitutions
For those with dietary restrictions or allergies, you can still enjoy the authentic goodness of Teriyaki with these substitutions:
- Gluten-Free: Choose gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce. Looking for a go-to soy sauce option? Find our favorite brand in our Is Soy Sauce Vegan article.
- Alcohol-Free: Simply leave out the sake or replace with vegetable broth or rice vinegar for a non-alcoholic alternative. If using rice vinegar, use just a tablespoon or two with the remaining being broth.
- Soy-Free: Choose coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- Low-Sodium: We always use low-sodium soy sauce in Plantsapalooza recipes. However, there are varying levels available so choose what works best for you.
Ways to Use Authentic Teriyaki Stir Fry Sauce
- Tofu Teriyaki: Slice tofu into thick pieces, marinate in your Teriyaki Sauce, then grill or pan-fry until gloriously caramelized.
- Vegetable Stir-Fry: Whip up a colorful stir-fry by tossing your favorite veggies in Teriyaki Sauce. Serve them over steamed rice or noodles.
- Tempeh Delight: Marinate tempeh slices, then bake or pan-fry for a hearty, protein-packed dish.
- Teriyaki Noodle Bowl: Drizzle Teriyaki Sauce over a bowl of udon or soba noodles. Add sautéed mushrooms, greens, and tofu for a satisfying meal.
- Teriyaki Glaze: Use your Teriyaki Sauce as a glaze for roasted vegetables or as a finishing touch on grilled portobello mushrooms.
In short, making Authentic Vegan Teriyaki Sauce introduces traditional Japanese flavors to your vegan cooking. By using soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar, you can create a sauce that pays homage to the classic Teriyaki profile.
Whether you're experienced or new to vegan cooking, add the authentic taste of Japan to your plant-based dishes with Teriyaki. It's time to savor every moment and every bite of your homemade Authentic Vegan Teriyaki Sauce!
P.S - If you're wondering if store bought teriyaki sauce is vegan, we share our favorite store bought brands in this post.
📖 Recipe
Authentic Vegan Teriyaki Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup soy sauce tamari if gluten-free, coconut aminos if soy-free
- 1 cup mirin
- 1 cup sake
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Bring to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved.
- Reduce heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Simmer for 7-10 minutes until reduced and slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight glass container.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to one month.
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