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My low-calorie teriyaki sauce recipe is a quick, keto-friendly twist on the classic. It takes just minutes to make and skips the sugar without sacrificing flavor. Traditional Japanese teriyaki is made with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Westernized versions add extras like honey, brown sugar, or pineapple juice. I keep the bold flavor with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a sweetener swap that’s lighter and better for low-carb meals.
🛒 Low Calorie Teriyaki Sauce Ingredients
- ¼ cup low sodium or reduced sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup granular Swerve (white or brown “sugar” variety)
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened rice vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, minced or crushed
- ½ teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons water
- ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
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Xanthan gum is a thickener that’s a great low carb alternative to cornstarch. For the soy sauce, make sure to use a low sodium or reduced sodium variety. Otherwise, your teriyaki sauce will be too salty.
🧂 How to Make Low Calorie Teriyaki Sauce
Whisk the water and xanthan gum together. It will form a gel very quickly. Try to remove all of the lumps.
Add the soy sauce, Swerve, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and xanthan gum mixture to a small saucepan over medium heat.
Whisk frequently for 5-10 minutes until it thickens. Then remove it from the heat and whisk in the sesame oil. Use immediately.
Remember that we are making a smooth and shiny sauce, not a gel, so don’t overcook it. Teriyaki sauce is delicious, gelatinized teriyaki, maybe not so much. 🙂
How to Store Low Sugar Teriyaki Sauce
You can keep leftover teriyaki sauce in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You may need to whisk in additional water and reheat if it gels. This homemade teriyaki sauce does not have preservatives like many store-bought sauces do, so it won’t keep as long.
Watch How to Make It!
Low Calorie Teriyaki Sauce Recipe (Sugar Free)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup reduced sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup Swerve, granular (or Swerve brown)
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened rice vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons water
- ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- Whisk the water and xanthan gum together. It will form a gel quickly.
- Add the soy sauce, Swerve, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and xanthan gum mixture to a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk frequently for 5-10 minutes until it thickens and turns glossy. Then remove it from the heat and whisk in the sesame oil. Use immediately.
Equipment
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 1 recipe (may help support fat loss). This low-calorie teriyaki sauce is a sugar free, vegan, and low carb condiment that can add rich umami flavor to a meal. However, it’s still a high-sodium condiment, even when made with reduced sodium soy sauce. If you’re following a low-sodium diet, teriyaki sauce might not be the best choice for everyday use. Here’s a quick tip: low sodium soy sauce contains 140 mg of sodium or less per serving, but it can be hard to find. Reduced sodium soy sauce, which is more common, has at least 25 percent less sodium than regular soy sauce. Since soy sauce is naturally high in sodium, be sure to check the label and look specifically for “low sodium” if that’s what you need. To make this teriyaki sauce gluten free, substitute the soy sauce with coconut aminos or gluten free tamari. Coconut aminos are also a great option if you want to keep the recipe soy free. However, using this swap will increase the carb count of the recipe. Nutrition information is for one serving of the recipe. Carbohydrates listed are net carbs (total carbs minus fiber and erythritol).
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
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❓ How to Use Low Calorie Teriyaki Sauce
You can use this sugar free teriyaki sauce as a marinade, a glaze, or in stir fries. It is especially delicious with salmon, chicken, beef, or tofu. It’s also great in Asian dishes with noodles (or try it on shirataki for a low carb option option).
Here are some recipes using teriyaki sauce:
👩🍳 More Recipes without Added Sugar
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
How do you use teriyaki sauce?