What is the Difference Between Teriyaki and Soy Sauce?

Teriyaki and soy sauce are both popular sauces in Asian cuisine, but they have distinct differences in flavor, texture, and ingredients:

1. Flavor: Teriyaki sauce is sweeter and spicier than soy sauce, which has a salty and savory flavor. Teriyaki sauce often contains ginger, garlic, sugar, honey, mirin, sake, or other ingredients that contribute to its unique taste.
2. Texture: Teriyaki sauce is thicker than soy sauce. Soy sauce is typically thinner and darker in color, while teriyaki sauce has a more viscous consistency due to the addition of more ingredients.
3. Ingredients: Teriyaki sauce uses soy sauce as a base and adds various ingredients such as ginger, sugar, mirin, sake, or honey. Soy sauce, on the other hand, is primarily composed of a water and salt base with fermented soybean paste.
4. Nutrition: Teriyaki sauce generally has more calories and sugar than soy sauce. For example, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce contains 8-10 calories, 1-2 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of protein, and 900-930 milligrams of sodium, while the same amount of teriyaki sauce contains 15 calories, 2-2.8 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of protein, and 610-690 milligrams of sodium.
5. Usage: Teriyaki sauce is used as a glaze for grilling meats, particularly chicken, lamb, and beef, while soy sauce is primarily used as a condiment or seasoning for various dishes.

In summary, teriyaki sauce is a thicker, sweeter, and spicier sauce compared to soy sauce, which has a salty and savory flavor. Teriyaki sauce is used primarily as a glaze, while soy sauce is used as a condiment or seasoning.

Comparative Table: Teriyaki vs Soy Sauce

Here is a table outlining the differences between teriyaki and soy sauce:

Soy sauce is a salty and slightly sweet condiment that has been used in Chinese cuisine for thousands of years, while teriyaki sauce is a sweet and savory sauce that originated in Japan and is primarily used for marinating meats and vegetables before cooking. Teriyaki sauce is essentially a modified version of soy sauce, with added sugar, ginger, garlic, and sometimes other ingredients like mirin or sake.