When dining at a Japanese restaurant, you may choose from a variety of spices and sauces. Teriyaki and soy sauce are two of their most popular sauces. But what is the difference between the two? Is it possible to utilize them interchangeably?

There are various variations between the two that you may not be aware of, including the taste. The similarities in look that they share cause a lot of misunderstanding. Because they are the same color of brown and have a similar consistency, the two sauces may seem to be the same product. However, that is about where the similarities stop.

Let’s take a closer look at the differences between teriyaki and soy sauce and if they may be used interchangeably.

Teriyaki Sauce vs. Soy Sauce Differences

The fundamental distinction between soy and teriyaki sauce is the ingredients. Many people are unaware that soy sauce is the foundation of teriyaki sauce. However, as you will discover when you compare the two, this does not imply that they taste the same.

Soy sauce has a salty taste on its own. It is made from soybeans and is combined with water to get the desired consistency. Although it begins as a paste, it thins out throughout the manufacturing process. The addition of salt produces the distinct flavor that you identify with soy sauce.

Teriyaki sauce expands on the soy sauce basis by including additional ingredients. The specific ingredients vary depending on area and even chef, but they usually contain brown sugar, ginger, and garlic.

When the other components are added, the flavor of teriyaki sauce becomes sweeter, as opposed to the salty characteristic of soy sauce.

Although a quick glance at both soy sauce and teriyaki sauce may give the idea that they are of comparable consistency, this is not the case. Because of the inclusion of water, soy sauce is thin. Teriyaki sauce, on the other hand, has a thicker consistency owing to the inclusion of extra ingredients.

The hue of the two goods is similar yet has small variances. The variations will be determined by the sort of ingredients in the teriyaki sauce as well as the amount.

Because of the inclusion of salts, soy sauce has a high sodium level. To suit people who prefer soy sauce in their meals but need a reduced salt intake, a low-sodium alternative is provided. This substitute is often seen in businesses and restaurants. Remember that you may need to specifically order a lower-sodium alternative at the restaurant, since the standard version is usually available by default.

Teriyaki sauce, like soy sauce, has a high salt content owing to its soy sauce foundation. Because of the additions, it also has a high quantity of sugar. There are lower-level choices available for those who like teriyaki sauce but must restrict their sugar and salt intake.

Teriyaki sauce, like soy sauce, is widely available in supermarkets and restaurants. It is advantageous for individuals deciding between teriyaki sauce and soy sauce to know that you do not have to select solely on the availability of reduced sugar or salt choices.

See also: Enchilada Sauce versus Taco Sauce Comparison

How To Substitute Teriyaki Sauce For Soy Sauce

Teriyaki sauce includes soy sauce, as previously stated. The soy sauce serves as the foundation for the teriyaki sauce. Sugar, ginger, and garlic are added to the soy base to create teriyaki sauce.

As a result, if you required teriyaki sauce but only had soy sauce, it would be a straightforward alternative. You simply need a few elements to obtain the desired product.

But what if the issue is the inverse? What if you wanted soy sauce instead of teriyaki? What if all you had was teriyaki at your disposal? How would you use teriyaki as a substitute for a dish that calls for soy sauce?

The basic answer is that you wouldn’t alter anything, but you could be dissatisfied by the flavor of the end product. If you like, you may substitute teriyaki sauce with the soy sauce. The flavor, on the other hand, would be significantly different.

Because teriyaki sauce contains sweet components and soy has a salty flavor, your dish will have an undesired flavour. When deciding between teriyaki and soy sauce, consider the end effect you want to attain and choose a substitute that will most likely provide that result.

Worcestershire sauce is a superior substitute for teriyaki sauce. This sauce has a similar taste to soy sauce and a comparable consistency, although it includes less salt. As a result, if you want the flavor of soy sauce in your dish, this would work.

If you need salt in your meal, you may want to choose a different option than Worcestershire sauce. Fish sauce and tamari are two more choices to explore for this need. Both of those sauces have salt levels equivalent to soy sauce. The flavor is also comparable. Although these alternatives may be tough to obtain in a conventional grocery store, they are commonly available in specialist stores.

Conclusion

Many individuals who are unfamiliar with Asian culture and have little familiarity with them find it difficult to distinguish between teriyaki and soy sauce. The distinctions and similarities are visible upon examination, and it is generally recognized that the taste distinguishes them as well.

However, information beyond that is difficult to comprehend even with advanced training. With such a disparity in flavor, it is difficult to notice that soy is a prominent component in teriyaki.

Because of the unknown nuances, it is typical to exchange the sauces, whether in a restaurant setting or in a home recipe. Because of the differences in tastes, you will immediately discover that one cannot be substituted for the other without changes. If you make this error once, you will not repeat it!