Teriyaki sauce is a popular Japanese condiment that is used to add flavor and depth to a variety of dishes.
While teriyaki sauce is often used as a marinade for meat or fish, many people wonder if it is suitable for people on a vegan diet.
In this article, we will examine the ingredients of some of the most popular brands of Teriyaki sauce to determine whether they are vegan or not.
Let’s start with the ingredients inside the traditional Teriyaki sauce.
Ingredients in Teriyaki Sauce:
The ingredients in teriyaki sauce can vary depending on the brand and recipe used.
In general, teriyaki sauce is made from a combination of soy sauce, sugar, sake or mirin, and ginger.
Some recipes may also include garlic, sesame oil, or other seasonings.
Now, let’s go back to our main question.
Is Teriyaki Sauce Vegan?
Yes. The standard Teriyaki sauce is vegan friendly because it is made with plant based ingredients.
The main concern for vegans when it comes to teriyaki sauce is the use of animal-based ingredients in some brands.
For example, some brands of teriyaki sauce may contain honey, which is produced by bees, or fish sauce, which is made from fermented fish.
So, we’re going to review some popular brands of Teriyaki sauce, to determine if they are suitable for vegans.
Is Kikkoman Teriyaki Sauce Vegan?
Kikkoman is one of the most well-known brands of teriyaki sauce, and it is widely available in grocery stores and online.
The ingredients in Kikkoman Teriyaki Sauce & Marinade include Soy sauce (Water, Soybeans, Wheat, Salt), Wine (contains sulphur dioxide), Sugar, Water, Spirit vinegar, Salt, Spice extracts, Onion powder and Garlic powder.
Which means that Kikkoman Teriyaki Sauce & Marinade is vegan friendly.
Please note that while some Kikkoman teriyaki sauces do not contain any animal products, others contain honey and are not considered vegan (such as Kikkoman Teriyaki BBQ-Sauce with honey).
Here’s a list of the vegan Kikkoman Teriyaki Sauce:
- Kikkoman Soy Sauce.
- Kikkoman Less Salt Soy sauce.
- Kikkoman Gluten Free Tamari.
- Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade.
- Kikkoman Teriyaki sauce with Toasted Sesame.
- Kikkoman Teriyaki Sauce with Roasted Garlic.
- Kikkoman Gluten Free Teriyaki Marinade
Is Panda Express Teriyaki Sauce Vegan?
Panda Express is a popular fast-food chain that specializes in American Chinese cuisine.
The Teriyaki sauce used in Panda Express dishes is made from:
SOY SAUCE (WATER, WHEAT, SOYBEAN, SALT, ALCOHOL, RICE VINEGAR, LACTIC ACID), SUGAR, WATER, FOOD STARCH-MODIFIED, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF GINGER, SESAME OIL, SALT, DEXTROSE, RICE, GARLIC*, CORN SYRUP, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, XANTHAN GUM, SPICE, CITRIC ACID, CARAMEL COLOR.
As you can see the ingredients list does not include any animal products, which means that Panda Express Teriyaki Sauce is vegan friendly.
Is PF Chang’s Teriyaki Sauce Vegan?
PF Chang’s is a restaurant chain that offers Asian-inspired cuisine.
The teriyaki sauce used in PF Chang’s dishes is made from soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and corn starch.
This recipe is free from any animal products and therefore PF Chang’s Teriyaki sauce is considered vegan.
Is Subway Sweet Onion Teriyaki Sauce Vegan?
Subway is a popular fast-food chain that offers a range of sandwiches and salads.
The sweet onion teriyaki sauce used in Subway sandwiches is made from sugar, water, soy sauce, vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, and corn starch.
All these ingredients are plant based and therefore, Subway Sweet Onion Teriyaki sauce is considered vegan friendly.
Please note that, while this recipe does not include any animal products, it is produced in a facility that also processes products that contain animal ingredients.
If you want to ensure that your teriyaki sauce is free from animal products, it is easy to make your own vegan teriyaki sauce at home.
How To Make Vegan Teriyaki Sauce?
To make vegan teriyaki sauce, you can use soy sauce, sugar, mirin or sake, ginger, and garlic, along with any other seasonings you prefer.
You can adjust the sweetness and saltiness of the sauce to your taste, and even experiment with adding other ingredients like pineapple or orange juice for a unique twist.
Final thoughts:
Whether teriyaki sauce is vegan or not depends on the specific brand and recipe used.
While some brands may contain animal-based ingredients like honey or fish sauce, others use only plant-based ingredients.
It is important to check the ingredients list on the product packaging to ensure that the teriyaki sauce is suitable for your dietary restrictions.
Alternatively, you can make your own vegan teriyaki sauce at home using a simple recipe that can be customized to your taste.
