Skip store-bought and whip up your own sticky, sweet, gluten-free teriyaki sauce! With minimal ingredients, this homemade teriyaki sauce comes together in just 10 minutes and can be used for pasta, marinades, and stir fry.
Did you know that most regular soy sauce contains gluten? It was a hard hit when I found out, I mean WHY.
This means that many store-bought, pre-made sauces are also not gluten-friendly.
So, when in doubt, make your own! On top of being gluten-free and paleo, this homemade teriyaki sauce tastes better than store-bought.
Made with just six pantry staples plus water, this gluten-free teriyaki sauce works for just about everything.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I’ve been using it in my slow cooker chicken recipes, over top of throw-together pasta, and to drizzle on top of a random Buddha bowl.
It comes together in under ten minutes but it is also stored in the fridge for a good two weeks.
It’s that simple.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Soy sauce; make sure to triple-check that your soy sauce is gluten-free. And when in doubt, use tamari instead.
Garlic granules: though fresh garlic and garlic powder will work, as a mom, adding extra chopping to my weeknight dinner isn’t something I volunteer for. Granules give you all the potency of garlic without the chopping.
Dried ginger: grab spices from a quality source and this homemade teriyaki sauce will be so much more potent. Fresh ginger works well too if you have it on hand.
Honey: I use creamed honey as I like the texture better. However, any unprocessed honey will work.
Apple cider vinegar: every gluten-free teriyaki needs something tangy and apple cider vinegar is what gives it the classic flavor in this recipe.
Arrowroot powder: this will help thicken the homemade teriyaki sauce so that it’s sticky and not runny.
How To Make Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
- Combine all the ingredients except for the arrowroot powder in a small pot.
- Heat until it comes to a rolling boil.
- Whisk in the arrowroot powder and continue to whisk for one full minute.
- Turn the sauce off and let sit for 3-5 minutes to thicken.
Step By Step Photos
Important Teaching Tips
Arrowroot powder is finicky and this means that if you put it into the mixture and then start to whisk, it’ll create one big gelatin-like clump.
To keep the teriyaki sauce gluten-free, make sure to use gluten-free soy sauce (double check) in the recipe or opt for tamari.
Fresh ginger is a great option if you have it on hand. Use a full teaspoon if that's the case.
Add the arrowroot powder as you’re whisking to make sure you get the best possible texture.
If you want a more umami or savory flavor, add in ½ tbs of miso paste before you mix in the arrowroot powder.
What To Use The Gluten-Free Teriyaki For
Teriyaki is one of our favorite flavors in the house!
Most commonly, we use this gluten-free teriyaki sauce for:
- Sauce on slow cooker chicken
- Marinade for grilled chicken (or kabobs)
- On top of pasta
- Over stir fry
- As a glaze on roasted veggies or sauteed veggies
Literally, the possibilities are endless.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce
Typically, store-bought teriyaki sauce is not gluten-free because it contains soy sauce. Most soy sauces use wheat in their ingredients.
Cornstarch can easily be substituted for arrowroot powder in a 1:1 ratio. Iin a pinch, oat flour can sometimes be used as well but hasn’t been tested with this exact recipe.
Though coconut aminos looks like soy sauce or tamari, it is a bit different. It can definitely be used in its place to make gluten-free teriyaki however, it will leave the sauce a bit sweeter and not as strong of a teriyaki flavor.
Other Gluten-Free Recipes You'll Love
- Slow cooker chicken alfredo
- One pot chicken alfredo
- Dairy-free Tuscan chicken
- The BEST recipes for busy moms
- Dairy-free gluten-free dinner recipes
- Stovetop venison stew
- Baked teriyaki chicken thighs
- 30 minute teriyaki meatballs
- Slow cooker teriyaki chicken
- Easy cauliflower rice
- One pot sausage and tomato pasta
- 45 dinner ideas for busy nights
- 30-minute chicken fajita bowl
- 30-minute dinner ideas
- Easy, healthy dinners
Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce With Honey
Video
Equipment
- 1 Small pot
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Soy sauce
- ½ tbs Garlic granules
- ½ teaspoon Dried ginger
- ¼ cup Honey
- 1 tbs Apple cider vinegar
- 1.5 teaspoon Arrowroot powder
- ¼ cup Water
Instructions
- In a small pot add all ingredients except arrowroot powder.
- Bring to a roiling boil and whisk in arrowroot powder (literally whisk while pouring). Keep whisking for one full minute at medium heat.
- Turn off the burner and let sit for 3-5 minutes to thicken.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Natalie
I like the sound of your gluten-free sauce. I will use it to marinade my chicken today thanks!
fitasamamabear
It's a tasty one!
Jennifer
I love that there's honey in this instead of sugar. The sauce got all nice and caramelized on my chicken and was so good!
fitasamamabear
Omg it does caramelize, so delicious right?!
Gen
This is really tasty and perfect for our gluten-free family members. Thanks for the fantastic recipe!
fitasamamabear
Glad to help!
Eose
This teriyaki sauce was so simple to prepare, the greatest addition to my stir fry.
fitasamamabear
It does make a wicked stir fry sauce, glad you liked it!
Mandy Applegate
This Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce recipe is amazing! I was so excited to find a gluten-free version of this classic sauce and it did not disappoint. The flavor is spot on and the consistency is perfect. I will definitely be making this again and again.
fitasamamabear
The consistency is what I love too! not too thick or thin.
JD Alewine
This teriyaki sauce hits the spot!!!
fitasamamabear
Glad you like it!
Amanda
Really loved this teriyaki sauce! The honey added the perfect sweetness, and I just loved the flavor the ginger added. Really easy too!
fitasamamabear
Yay! Easy is key lol
Katie
Love this naturally sweetened teriyaki sauce! It tastes even better than traditional!
fitasamamabear
The honey makes it such a great flavor!
nancy
omg a gluten free version of Teriyaki Sauce ? i'm in!
fitasamamabear
Total win right? lol
Allyssa
Really flavorful and very tasty teriyaki sauce! Thanks a lot for this amazing and great recipe! Will surely have this again, super easy to make! Loved it and highly recommended!
fitasamamabear
Glad you liked it!
Sharina
Used this gluten-free teriyaki sauce for our chicken wings party and it was one of the crowds' favorites. So tasty and satisfying! Just saved this recipe, thanks Shelby! I'm excited to try your other sauce recipes for our next family get together!
fitasamamabear
Ohh I never thought to use it on chicken wings- GENIUS. Thanks for the hot tip!
Addison
This teriyaki sauce was delicious with my chicken stir fry! Love that it's made with healthier ingredients too.
fitasamamabear
It's a nice sticky sauce for stir fry, glad you loved it!
Bella
This GF teriyaki sauce was just delicious! Will be making it again for sure. Thanks for sharing all the details.
fitasamamabear
Wahoo!
Elizabeth S
This was so good. I used it on chicken wings. YUMMY! Will make again.
fitasamamabear
I've never used it on chicken wings but now I so need to!
Kris
This had the perfect texture and balance of flavors. We used it in a tofu stirfry and it was DELISH!
fitasamamabear
Ohh it would soak into the tofu so nicely!
Claire
This was perfect!! The consistency was just right, not too thin and not too thick.
Really appreciated your tips with arrowroot as I have never used it before.
Such a great recipe for cutting down our sugar.
fitasamamabear
Ah happy the tips helped and that you enjoyed it!
Amanda Dixon
I made this last night to go along with a stir fry dinner, and it was amazing! It was loaded with flavor and so simple to make. I see this going on the regular rotation.
fitasamamabear
Ah that's amazing to hear!