Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce

This sweet and sticky homemade teriyaki sauce is healthy, gluten-free, and made without refined sugars. It’s easy to make, vegan, and naturally sweetened with fresh orange juice – so much better than any store-bought version!

Best homemade honey teriyaki sauce

I’ve tried dozens of teriyaki sauces – some store-bought, some homemade, and some from restaurants. So trust me when I say this recipe is the best homemade teriyaki sauce you’ll ever try! It’s made with wholesome, healthy ingredients and is gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, and refined-sugar-free!

This teriyaki sauce is sweet, sticky, and packed with flavor. My favorite part is that it is naturally sweetened with orange juice and honey. But don’t worry, if you are vegan, you can sweeten it with maple syrup. This recipe is so customizable, and I left many variations below.

Homemade teriyaki sauce is easy to make in under 10 minutes. That means that any level cook can make this recipe. All you need to do is whisk the ingredients together and let them simmer until the sauce thickens.

I love serving this homemade honey teriyaki sauce over grilled or air fryer chicken, shrimp, salmon, tofu, meatballs, or vegetables. Sometimes I add it to my stir fry or use it as a simple dressing. I cannot wait to hear what you think!

Why you’ll love this healthy recipe:

• Quick & Easy: This homemade teriyaki sauce is so easy to make in under 10 minutes. Any level cook can do it!
• No Refined Sugars: This is the best teriyaki sauce because it is sweetened with fresh orange juice and honey (or maple syrup). This recipe has no brown sugar, making it healthy and good for you!
• Gluten-Free: This recipe is better than most because it’s made 100% gluten-free with tamari (a gluten-free soy sauce). But don’t worry, if you are not gluten-free, you can certainly use regular soy sauce.
• Vegan: This teriyaki sauce is the best recipe because you can make it 100% vegan by using maple syrup instead of honey.
• Low-Calorie: There are under 40 calories per 3 Tablespoon serving.
• Versatile: This sauce isn’t just limited to one dish. You can use it to marinate chicken, steak, salmon, or even glaze vegetables and add it to stir-fries.
• Customizable: The best part about this healthy teriyaki sauce is that you can adjust the sweetness and flavors to suit your personal taste preferences.
• Kid-Friendly: Your children will love this gluten-free teriyaki sauce because it’s mild, not spicy, and bursting with soy flavors. Serve it with chicken, rice, and broccoli.
• Try These Next: If you love this gluten-free teriyaki sauce, you need to try this teriyaki chicken recipe or this healthy teriyaki turkey meatballs.

Ingredients needed & substitutions for vegan teriyaki sauce

This healthy, refined-sugar-free teriyaki sauce is seriously the best recipe you’ll ever try! We use tamari or coconut aminos, fresh orange juice, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and a few other simple ingredients. Here is a list of everything you need so you are prepared:

• Starch: You can use arrowroot starch, tapioca flour, or gluten-free cornstarch. This helps thicken the teriyaki sauce, so you don’t need to add flour.
• Cold Water: To dissolve the starch in. The water must be cold!
• Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Make sure to use tamari if you are gluten-free or following a paleo diet. You can also use coconut aminos.
• Fresh Orange Juice: You need 1 or 2 fresh oranges. You can also use pineapple juice.
• Rice Vinegar: This adds acidity to the homemade teriyaki sauce. You can also use white wine or apple cider vinegar.
• Honey or Maple Syrup (for vegan option): This adds natural sweetness to this homemade healthy teriyaki sauce.
• Sesame Oil: You just need 1 teaspoon. It adds so much traditional flavor.
• Ginger: Use fresh ginger for the best flavor. You can use 1 teaspoon of ginger powder if needed.
• Garlic Cloves: Freshly minced is best; however, you can also use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder if needed.
• Sesame Seeds (optional): For an authentic twist to this homemade teriyaki sauce.

How to make gluten-free teriyaki sauce

This easy homemade teriyaki sauce takes 10 minutes to make. It’s tangy, sweet, and made without sugar! Here are detailed step-by-step instructions with pictures for visual reference so any level cook can make it. The full recipe and ingredient measurements are at the bottom of this page in the recipe card.

Step 1:

Begin by dissolving the arrowroot starch in ¼ cup of cold water. Set this mixture aside.

Step 2:

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the rest of the cold water, low-sodium soy sauce, fresh orange juice (or pineapple juice), rice vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), sesame oil, finely grated ginger, and minced garlic.

Step 3:

Then, place the saucepan on the stove and bring the mixture to a rapid boil. Once the mixture is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer on medium-low. Gradually whisk in the arrowroot starch water that you set aside earlier.

Step 4:

Simmer the sauce for 3-4 minutes, continually whisking until it thickens. Note that it will thicken more as it cools. Then, stir in the sesame seeds (optional), carefully taste the sauce, and adjust the seasonings based on your preference.

Use your homemade healthy teriyaki sauce immediately or store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use coconut aminos?

Coconut aminos are an excellent substitute for soy sauce if you are gluten-free or vegan. However, coconut aminos are sweeter than soy sauce, so I recommend not adding the additional honey or maple syrup until you have tasted the sauce.

Can I use maple syrup instead of honey?

Certainly! You can easily substitute maple syrup for honey in this teriyaki sauce recipe.

How do you thicken teriyaki sauce?

Teriyaki sauce is thickened by using starch like cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or tapioca flour. Once the starch is whisked into the sauce, let it simmer until the teriyaki thickens.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

You can make this teriyaki sauce vegan by replacing the honey with agave nectar or maple syrup and using tamari or coconut aminos instead of regular soy sauce.

Is soy sauce gluten-free?

Traditional soy sauce is not gluten-free since it contains wheat. However, there are many gluten-free soy sauce alternatives like tamari or coconut aminos. I reccomend always checking the labels to ensure it is certified gluten-free.

Is there a substitute for rice vinegar?

If you don’t have rice vinegar, you can use white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar as a substitute.

Does it keep well for meal prep?

Absolutely! You can store this homemade vegan teriyaki sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 days.

What to serve with homemade teriyaki sauce?

Homemade teriyaki sauce goes well with many dishes. You can use it to glaze air fryer chicken, grilled chicken, tofu, salmon, or shrimp. It’s also fantastic drizzled over stir-fried vegetables or roasted brussels sprouts or used as a dipping sauce for spring rolls.

Is teriyaki sauce vegan?

Not all teriyaki sauces are vegan since they may be sweetened with honey, and some store brands have fish sauce in them. Ensure you check the label before buying store-bought teriyaki sauce. If you make homemade teriyaki sauce, use maple syrup as the sweetener.

Is teriyaki sauce gluten-free?

Traditional teriyaki sauce contains soy sauce, which is not gluten-free since it contains wheat. However, you can make homemade gluten-free teriyaki sauce using gluten-free soy sauce alternatives such as tamari or coconut aminos.

Does teriyaki sauce go bad?

Yes, teriyaki sauce can go bad over time. Ensure you store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume it within its recommended shelf life, which is typically between 5 to 7 days.

How to store, freeze, and reheat teriyaki sauce:

Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 days. Make sure to stir it before using it.

Freezing: Place it in an airtight container or freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the sauce in the refrigerator before use.

Reheating: To reheat teriyaki sauce, gently warm it in a saucepan over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired temperature. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between intervals so you don’t burn it.

If you love this recipe, try these next!

• Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
• Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites
• Teriyaki Salmon Buddha Bowls
• Pineapple Teriyaki Turkey Burgers
• Healthy Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs

Did you make this recipe?

If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!

I only recommend products I love and use myself. In full disclosure, I may receive a small compensation for purchasing a product I recommend. Thank you for supporting Healthful Blondie!

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