7 Best Store-Bought Teriyaki Sauces, According to Reviews

If you love cooking Asian food, you must have a bottle of Teriyaki sauce in your pantry.

Teriyaki sauce is inspired by Japanese cuisine. Interestingly, Teriyaki in Japanese refers to a cooking technique and not an ingredient. In this method, boiled or grilled seafood and meat are brushed with a sticky sauce during and after cooking. It enhances the flavor of the dish.

Traditionally, the glaze used for teriyaki cooking contains soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar. While readymade teriyaki sauce is built around these ingredients, it contains more flavoring agents. It is thicker as well.  Store-bought sauces are used in marinades, stir-fries, and recipes for the grill.

The taste and quality of teriyaki sauce depend on the ingredients in it. Nevertheless, to find the best store-bought teriyaki sauce, we used three main criteria:

Flavor: The best teriyaki sauces will have the right balance of sweet and salty flavors. From a health perspective, we also analyzed the sodium and sugar content in each brand.

Texture: The perfect teriyaki sauce is neither too runny nor too thick. It will easily coat meat and vegetables. Many brands use agents like cornstarch to thicken the sauce. So, we have looked at whether thickening agents were used in moderation.

Main Ingredients: The unique Umami flavor of teriyaki sauce can be enhanced with natural or artificial flavors. Some brands even manage to create delightfully complex flavors using simple ingredients.

Our Recommendations for the Best Store-bought Teriyaki Sauces

Based on these criteria, here are our suggestions for the best store-bought teriyaki sauces.

1. Best Overall: Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce

Teriyaki marinade and sauce is just one of the many products of this iconic brand. Whether you want Teriyaki sauce with garlic, onion, toasted sesame, or honey; Kikkoman has it all!

Features:

• 79 servings per container
• Contains 610 mg sodium and 2 g sugar

Pros

• Rich flavor profile
• Free from MSG, preservatives and high-fructose corn syrup
• A gluten-free variant is also available

Cons

• Very runny
• Expensive

Kikkoman teriyaki sauce, with its rich Umami flavors, is deliciously aromatic. Every variant from the brand is distinct. It goes very well with meat, mushrooms, and all types of vegetables.

As far as the balance of flavors is concerned, Kikkoman teriyaki sauce is saltier than sweet. When using it as a dip or marinade, adjust for this factor, or the dish can end up being too salty.

This sauce is convenient and versatile. Marinate your choice of meat, chicken, fish, or vegetables for half an hour to enjoy the rich flavors of this sauce. You can also brush it over barbecued or grilled meat and fish.  It tastes good even when poured over a bowl of rice.

One of the most appealing factors of Kikkoman teriyaki sauce is that it is free from artificial preservatives and MSG. Instead, it uses natural flavoring agents like onion powder, garlic powder, spices, and wine.

2. Best MSG Free: Panda Express Chinese Mandarin Teriyaki Sauce

The saltiness and earthy flavors of this sauce make it uniquely appealing!

Features:

• Rich brown color
• Can be used as a dipping sauce or marinade

Pros

• Interesting flavor profile
• Works well with all types of meat
• Doesn’t contain high corn fructose syrup or added MSG
• Free from HFCS
• Cost-effective

Cons

• Strong salty taste
• Caramel color is not natural

Panda Express Chinese Mandarin Teriyaki Sauce stands out from other store-bought varieties with its distinct flavor. It tastes incredible with the delicate flavors of soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil seeping in.

The label makes customers assume that it is the same sauce that Panda Express serves. Unfortunately, it isn’t the same thing! This sauce is saltier. Nonetheless, it has the right texture. It is aromatic and very flavorful as well.

When used with meat, it gives the marinade a deep brown color and delicious aroma. The sauce creates a balance of sweet and salty, well-balanced flavors in stir-fries. You can also use this to color and flavor rice. You can even recreate the Panda Express signature Mandarin chicken at home with this sauce.

The only downside to this product is that the color is artificial, and it uses xanthan gum as a thickening agent. Although it has no added MSG, it is naturally present in the soy sauce in the ingredient list.

3. Best for Marinades: La Choy Teriyaki Sauce and Marinade

La Choy teriyaki sauce is a product that you either don’t like or cannot tolerate! There is no middle ground.

Features:

• 620 mg sodium per serving
• 8g sugar
• 10 calories per tbsp

Pros

• The thick texture is suited for marinades
• Gluten-free
• Great for soups, stir-fries, and dips
• Has a fruity flavor
• Well-balanced saltiness
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Contains corn syrup and color, among other additives
• A strong, distinct taste
• Unimpressive packaging

When you want a flavor-packed teriyaki sauce, La Choy Teriyaki is the real deal. It is thick, luscious, and beautiful, with an attractive brown color.  La Choy Teriyaki sauce adds excellent flavors to pork, mutton, shrimp, fish, or even chicken.

An unusual ingredient in this sauce is pineapple concentrate. It creates a subtle fruity flavor and enhances the taste profile. Although the sweetness is subtle, it is unmistakable.

You can use La Choy teriyaki sauce to prepare a glaze for meats. It takes grilled or barbecued meat to a whole other level when combined with orange or zesty flavors.

However, the packaging fails to impress and is highly prone to leaking.

Those who like this product are rarely satisfied by any other store-bought teriyaki sauce brands. So, it is a keeper if you enjoy it!

4. Best Soy-Free: Primal Kitchen No Soy Teriyaki Organic Marinade & Sauce

Tangy and smooth, Primal Kitchen’s no soy teriyaki sauce is the answer to healthy and tasty Asian cooking!

Features:

• Organic marinade and sauce
• No soy product
• 15 calories per serving
• 220 mg sodium in 1 tbsp

Pros

• Organic teriyaki sauce
• Rich flavors and Umami taste
• Naturally sweetened using balsamic vinegar and organic fruit concentrates
• Whole 30 Foods approved product
• Good quality

Cons

• The packaging is prone to damage
• Doesn’t deliver traditional Teriyaki flavor

How often do you come across pure, organic sauces with none of the bad stuff? Primal Kitchen no soy teriyaki marinade is a valuable find in this regard.

It has an interesting ingredient list with organic coconut syrup, Himalayan salt, balsamic vinegar, fruit concentrate, and organic yeast extract. The Primal Kitchen no soy teriyaki sauce has no artificial preservatives or sugar. The sweetness of the sauce is from balsamic vinegar and natural fruit ingredients. Tropical flavors of tamarind, sesame seeds, and coconut enhance the savory sweetness of this sauce.

Interestingly, the Primal Kitchen no soy teriyaki sauce has no soy. However, the absence of this ingredient alters the taste and makes it quite different from other store-bought teriyaki sauces.

Nevertheless, this healthy organic teriyaki sauce ticks all the boxes: it is gluten-free, keto-friendly, Whole 30 foods approved, paleo, and organic. However, since it is still high in carbs, always measure and use it if you are on a keto diet.

While you can use it in vegetable stir-fries, and meat dishes, one of the best combinations is with salmon.

5. Best Sweet Sauce: Mr. Yoshida’s Original Sweet Teriyaki Gourmet Marinade & Cooking Sauce

Here’s an all-purpose gourmet teriyaki sauce that you can use for almost anything from cooking to dips!

Features:

• Sweet teriyaki flavor
• Contains soy sauce, garlic, spices, and rice wine

Pros

• Rich, gourmet flavors
• No artificial preservatives
• 0 trans fat
• No MSG

Cons

• Due to its thin texture, it doesn’t stick to meat or vegetables easily
• Contains high fructose corn syrup
• Doesn’t contain sesame seeds or oil

This signature product from Mr. Yoshida meets and even exceeds expectations. It is jam-packed with rich Umami flavors and is deliciously sweet and tangy.

Whether you use it for grilling, baking, or stir-frying, it adds a well-rounded flavor to every dish. The gourmet touch comes from seasonings like garlic, mirin, and soy sauce. However, this product does not have sesame oil, which is usually an indispensable part of teriyaki sauce recipes. So, it lacks the toasty and nutty goodness of this ingredient.

Mr. Yoshida’s sweet teriyaki gourmet sauce is sweeter than it is salty.  It pairs well with meat and seafood. However, you can also use it in dips or stir-fries, and salads. The texture is quite runny. So, you may have to use extra seasonings or ingredients to thicken it up in a marinade.

The packaging is prone to damage. If this isn’t a concern, Mr. Yoshida’s teriyaki sauce is a budget-friendly, flavor-packed choice for gourmet Asian home cooking.

6. Best Flavor-Packed: Soy Vay Island Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce

Zesty ginger, pungent garlic, and the fruity flavor of pineapple make this teriyaki sauce a treat for the taste buds!

Features:

• 30 servings per container
• 45 calories per serving
• 510mg sodium

Pros

• Exotic ingredients like pineapple, ginger, and garlic create a unique taste
• Free from HFCS and preservatives
• Kosher Certified
• Suitable for marinades, dips, and stir-fries

Cons

• Higher sodium content
• The packaging is prone to leaks
• Thorough shaking is needed to distribute the grainy components of the sauce

Soy Vay Marinade Island Teriyaki is very popular. This store-bought teriyaki sauce has an exquisite combination of ingredients like pineapple, ginger, garlic, and sesame seeds.

The texture of the sauce is smooth and luscious. It has just the right hint of sweetness. The lovely bits of ginger, garlic, and toasted sesame in it add Umami flavors to rice and dishes.

Soy Vay marinade island teriyaki sauce goes well with fish, especially salmon. You can also use it in Asian chicken and meat recipes.

The absence of preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, and other artificial additives makes it healthier than other brands.

Although this sauce is exquisite with a generous helping of spices, it has a higher sodium content. It can be concerning, especially if you strictly monitor your sodium intake.

Additionally, the bottle is prone to leakage. Also, grainy constituents tend to settle and block the neck area. So, you should shake the bottle well before use.

7. Best Vegan: Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos Teriyaki Sauce

Pure organic goodness without any compromise in flavor!

Features:

• 20 servings per bottle
• Made with six simple ingredients
• USDA-certified, gluten-free, kosher, and non-GMO product
• 280 mg sodium
• 30 Calories per serving

Pros

• Pure organic product
• No artificial preservatives, colors, or additives
• Soy-free alternative
• Low glycemic index and cholesterol content
• Low sodium
• Vegan-friendly

Cons

• Doesn’t use traditional teriyaki ingredients like soy sauce

Don’t let the word “coconut” on the label mislead you. This teriyaki sauce has no hint of a coconutty taste. Instead, the coconut secret teriyaki sauce tastes just like authentic teriyaki sauce.

Coconut aminos are the main ingredient of this teriyaki sauce. It is an alternative to soy sauce. This ingredient is prepared from aged and fermented coconut sap. It contains 17 essential amino acids and provides various health benefits. Additionally, it also has low sodium content.

Whether you use this teriyaki sauce to marinate meat or as a garnish, it adds excellent flavors to a dish. The garlic flavor is subtle.

By being organic, vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and non-GMS, this is a healthy and tasty teriyaki sauce. The company pays close attention to using sustainable farming practices while procuring raw materials. So, Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos Teriyaki Sauce is an excellent choice for health-conscious and eco-conscious consumers.

Concluding thoughts…

A good-quality teriyaki sauce is a valuable tool if you like to prepare Asian recipes. It is also a versatile ingredient for dips, marinades, and glazes. Store it away from sunlight in a cool, dark place, and it will last you for a long time. In this article, we have reviewed the seven best store-bought teriyaki sauces. From nutritional aspects to taste, we have discussed all the important criteria to make a wise choice. We hope it helps you to find the best sauce to satisfy your cravings for delicious Asian food.