Fresh and Healthy Home-Made Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce.
How to Make your Own Sugar Free teriyaki sauce?
👩🏼🍳DIY Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce: Start by whisking together low sodium soy sauce or gluten free soy sauce, water, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Add a tablespoon of keto sweetener, cornstarch, garlic powder, powdered ginger, and other sugar free ingredients like sesame oil to taste. Mix everything until well combined and cook it over medium heat until it thickens and bubbles.
Teriyaki sauce is an all-time flavorful favorite sauce commonly used in Japanese cooking. “Teriyaki” refers to grilling or broiling meat or fish with a glaze made from soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, characterized by its umami richness and subtly sweet flavor. Over time, the sauce, known as teriyaki sauce, has become popular in many cuisines worldwide and is used as a marinade for teriyaki chicken, a stir-fry sauce, or a dipping sauce for various dishes.
People can now convert this traditional delicious teriyaki sauce made with granulated or brown sugar into a healthier, keto friendly teriyaki sauce or sugar free teriyaki sauce. We will provide step-by-step instructions on creating an easy sugar free teriyaki sauce at home and use it to accompany your keto food list or favorite recipes on your recipe notes.
Table of Contents
- Why Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce
- Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce Ingredients
- How to Make a Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce
- Where to Use your Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce
- Final Thoughts in Keto Teriyaki Sauce
Why Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce?
While traditional teriyaki sauce is a delicious condiment cuisine, it often contains high amounts of added sugar. Excess sugar intake can lead to various health problems, including weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease. This sauce cuisine is unsuitable for people with health problems or on a low carb diet.
Switching to DIY sugar free teriyaki sauce yields several benefits beyond simply avoiding added sugar and enjoying the flavors of this classic sauce without the negative health consequences. Cut net carbs by switching to a homemade sugar free keto teriyaki sauce and add it to your keto food list. One of the main benefits of making a sugar free teriyaki sauce is that you have more control over the ingredients, unlike buying store-bought teriyaki sauces, which contain a variety of additives and preservatives that can be harmful to your health. Use high-quality ingredients, eliminate unnecessary additives, and enjoy abundant nutrient-dense ingredients full of antioxidants and minerals with your homemade sugar free teriyaki sauce.
Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce Ingredients
Making the best keto teriyaki sauce at home is easier than you think; with just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious and healthy version of this sweet and savory sauce. Here’s the nutritional information, including net carbs for each of the elements you’ll need to make a teriyaki sauce recipe that is homemade and keto-friendly:
Coconut Aminos (a soy sauce substitute that is lower in carbs)
Coconut Aminos is a soy sauce or fish sauce substitute that is lower in net carbs and sugar free, making it an excellent option for those following a keto diet. Made from the sap of coconut trees and is rich in amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Nutritional Facts (per tablespoon):
- Calories: 10
- Fat 0g
- Carbs: 2g
- Sugar: 0g
If coconut aminos are unavailable or you don’t want to use them, you can substitute them with gluten free soy sauce or tamari sauce, commonly used in Asian cuisine; just be careful that these substitutes may not be sugar free or may contain gluten. It can also change the flavor profile of your teriyaki glaze, as they have a strong and saltier taste compared to coconut aminos, adjust the amount of sweetener and vinegar in the recipe to balance the flavor.
Rice Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar
Nutritional Facts (per tablespoon):
- Calories: 2-3
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 0.1-0.2 g
- Sugar: 0g
Both rice and apple cider vinegar are low in carbs, and vinegar is a substitute in the recipe. Rice vinegar is commonly used in Asian cuisine and has a mild flavor, while the apple cider is more acidic and fruity; both add tanginess and balance to the sauce.
Swerve Brown or Lakanto Golden (a keto-friendly brown sugar substitute)
Since we aim for a sugar free teriyaki sauce, use swerve brown or lakanto golden, sugar, or brown sugar substitute that is low in carbs and has a zero glycemic index. It can add sweetness and caramel flavor to the sauce without spiking blood sugar levels.
Nutritional Facts (per tablespoon):
- Calories: 0
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 4g
- Sugar: 0g
You can substitute Swerve Brown or Lakanto Golden with other gluten free sweeteners such as:
- Erythritol: a sugar alcohol that is low in calories and carbs, has a similar taste and texture to sugar and is often used in keto baking and cooking.
- Monk Fruit Sweetener: made from monk fruit extract with zero calories and zero carbs, and does not raise blood sugar levels, making it an excellent keto-friendly option.
- Stevia: from the stevia plant leaves, making it a natural sweetener with no calories and carbs, and used as a sugar substitute in keto recipes.
Garlic Powder or Fresh Minced Garlic
Nutritional Facts (per tablespoon):
- Calories: 4
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
Putting garlic powder or fresh minced garlic adds depth and aroma to your low carb teriyaki sauce; you can use either powdered or minced, depending on your preference.
Ground Ginger or Fresh Grated Ginger
Nutritional Facts (per tablespoon):
- Calories: 4
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
Another flavoring agent you need for your keto teriyaki sauce recipe is either ground ginger or freshly grated ginger; depending on your taste, this adds warmth and spice to your sauce.
Xanthan Gum (a thickener that is low in carbs and keto-friendly)
To make your teriyaki sauce thick, use xantham gum which is low in carbs and keto-friendly; this will also give your sauce a smooth and velvety texture.
Nutritional Facts (per tablespoon):
- Calories: 5
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Fiber: 1g
If xanthan gum is not available or is something you’re uncomfortable using, you can use other low-carb and keto-friendly thickeners such as:
- Guar Gum: derived from the seeds of the guar plant, it has a similar texture to xanthan gum and is often used in gluten-free and low-carb baking.
- Konjac Flour, or glucomannan powder, is a natural thickener derived from the konjac plant with zero calories and carbs. It is a good source of fiber, making it a superb keto-friendly option.
- Arrowroot Powder: made from the root of the arrowroot plant, a good substitute for cornstarch used in various recipes.
Following the recipe carefully is essential when using these thickeners, as the amount needed may differ from xanthan gum. It would help to experiment with the amount of thickener used to achieve your desired consistency.
Other Ingredients for Teriyaki Sauce Recipe
Of course, you need to add water to your keto teriyaki sauce, however here are some ingredients that you can also add to make it more flavorful:
- Sesame oil or sesame seeds: add a nutty flavor to the sauce and is a common ingredient in teriyaki sauce recipes.
- Red pepper flakes: if you want to add a spicy kick to the sauce, add these red pepper flakes, and adjust to your desired heat level.
- Green onion: often used as a garnish; add this for a savory flavor.
- Orange zest: adds a bright, citrusy flavor to the sauce and pairs well with chicken and seafood.
Note: Consider their nutritional values and adjust the recipe accordingly. For example, orange zest adds a small number of carbohydrates that can easily be in a keto meal plan.
How to Make a Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce
Let’s start making that store homemade teriyaki sauce to add to your keto diet. Note that you can always add more or fewer ingredients depending on your taste and preference, which is one of the main reasons why doing this sticky keto teriyaki sauce at home is good than buying one.
To start, prepare the following:
- 1/2 cup coconut aminos
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup Swerve Brown or Lakanto Golden
- 1 tsp of either powder or two cloves of fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground or 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
- 1/4 tsp xanthan gum
- 1/4 cup water
Step by Step Guide
- Combine the coconut aminos, rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, Swerve Brown or Lakanto Golden, garlic or minced garlic, and ground or fresh ginger in a mixing bowl. Mix the ingredients until the sweetener has dissolved.
- Sprinkle the xanthan gum over the mixture and stir until it is fully incorporated – this will help to thicken the sauce.
- Add the water to the mixture and stir until it is well combined.
- Pour the mixture into a small saucepan and heat it over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes or until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool before using. You can store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Tips & Tricks for Making Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce
To make the best non soy sauce and gluten-free teriyaki sauce, here are some additional tips you can follow:
- Adjust the seasoning to taste: Every person prefers a different flavor; feel free to adjust your low-carb teriyaki sauce to your taste. You can add fresh ginger for a more flavorful and spicy kick sauce or sweetener; it’s up to you.
- Get the desired consistency: You can adjust the consistency or thickness of your keto teriyaki sauce by adding more xantham gum or water.
- Use the sauce in various dishes: This keto teriyaki sauce is used in dishes like teriyaki chicken, cauliflower rice sauce, a marinade for chicken thighs, and more.
- Store the sauce properly: Keep your homemade sugar free teriyaki sauce fresh, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for up to a week so you can use it throughout the week in various dishes. Just shake or stir the sauce well before using it, as the ingredients may separate over time.
Where to Use Your Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce
Keto teriyaki sauce adds flavors to your low carb cooking style; add this next time on your meal prep or recipe note and enjoy soy free taste. Check the list of use this:
- As a marinade: Make a chicken teriyaki or marinate beef or pork in the sauce for a few hours before grilling or baking – this will infuse the meat with a sweet and savory flavor.
- As a stir-fry sauce: Use the sauce for flavoring in your favorite stir-fry recipe with vegetables, tofu, or meat.
- As a dipping sauce: Serve the sauce on the side for dipping vegetables, chicken nuggets, or egg rolls.
- As a glaze: Brush the sauce on vegetables or meat during the last few minutes of cooking to create a delicious glaze.
- As a salad dressing: Thin the sauce with water or oil and use it as a salad dressing.
Final Thoughts on Keto Teriyaki Sauce
Making your sugar free teriyaki sauce recipe at home offers many health benefits, such as forgoing brown sugar and using fresh ingredients. It also provides an excellent opportunity to control the salt content, flavor, and other sauce components like soy sauce. With a few simple steps and ingredients from your pantry, you can create delicious and nutritious gluten free teriyaki sauce in various dishes.
With our recipe, you can create a classic teriyaki sauce that is low in carbs and sugar-free, making it an excellent option for those following a low-carb or keto diet. Using xanthan gum as a thickener also adds to the nutritional value of the sauce as it is low in carbs and keto-friendly.
Using the sauce as a marinade or glaze for meats, vegetables, or stir-fries can add flavor to your meals and be a healthier option. Try it and enjoy this classic Japanese sauce’s sweet and savory flavors.