Are you tired of your homemade teriyaki sauce turning out too salty?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Many people struggle with finding the perfect balance of salt and sweetness in their teriyaki sauce.
But fear not, there are ways to salvage your sauce and make it less salty without sacrificing flavor.
In this article, we’ll explore some tips and tricks for making teriyaki sauce less salty, including choosing the right soy sauce, diluting the sauce, and adding other ingredients to balance out the saltiness.
So, let’s dive in and learn how to make the perfect teriyaki sauce every time!
How To Make Teriyaki Sauce Less Salty?
The main reason for teriyaki sauce being too salty is often due to adding too much soy sauce. To avoid this, try using a low-sodium soy sauce or adding less soy sauce to your recipe.
Another reason for your sauce being too salty may be that you added salt unnecessarily. Soy sauce provides enough salt on its own, so there’s no need to add extra.
When making teriyaki sauce, the four key ingredients are soy sauce, sugar, ginger, and sake/mirin. Some recipes may also include apple juice, hoisin sauce, garlic, or rice wine vinegar.
If your teriyaki sauce is too salty, there are several ways to fix it. One option is to dilute the sauce with some apple juice and thicken it with a cornflour and water slurry. This may not give you an authentic teriyaki flavor, but it will still taste good.
Another option is to make another batch of teriyaki sauce without soy sauce and mix the two batches together. This will halve the salt content of your sauce while still maintaining the flavor.
You can also balance out the saltiness by adding other flavors such as acidity, sweetness, or fat. Adding vinegar or lemon juice can help balance out the saltiness, while honey or sugar can add sweetness. Adding a few pads of butter or a glug of olive oil can also absorb some of the saltiness.
If you’re making a sauce that seems too salty, diluting it with water, stock, or more of the main ingredient can also help. For example, if you’re making a tomato sauce that’s too salty, adding another jar of tomatoes and then adding small amounts of the other ingredients (minus the salt) can help fix it up.
Choosing The Right Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is a key ingredient in teriyaki sauce, but it can also be the culprit of excessive saltiness. It’s important to choose the right type of soy sauce to avoid this issue.
Low-sodium soy sauce is a milder option that is great for dipping and adding to sauces. Regular soy sauce is more versatile and can be used for both cooking and sauces. However, high-sodium soy sauce should only be used for cooking due to its high concentration of saltiness.
Spiced soy sauce contains additional ingredients such as salt, pepper, chili, onions, or cayenne pepper. Brewed soy sauce is traditionally made using old practices and has a great balance in flavor and aroma. Chemically processed soy sauce is mass-manufactured and often tastes sharp and strong.
When purchasing soy sauce, it’s important to read the labels and choose one that suits your taste preferences. If you find that your chosen soy sauce is still too salty for your liking, you can dilute it with water, rice wine, lemon juice, sesame oil, or vinegar. Adding ingredients such as diced tomatoes, scallions, onions, or garlic can also help absorb some of the saltiness while adding their own flavors.
Diluting The Sauce
Diluting the sauce is a great way to reduce the saltiness of teriyaki sauce. For light soy sauce, adding a tiny bit of water can help make it less salty. Alternatively, you can opt for low-sodium light soy sauce.
For dark soy sauce, dilute it with a bit of water and add some brown sugar to balance out the saltiness. If you have a dipping sauce that’s too salty, you can get creative by adding chili oil, rice vinegar, malt vinegar, sesame oil, and/or chopped fresh herbs such as green onions and cilantro. These mix-ins will stretch the soy sauce without diluting it with water, so you still have a flavorful dipping sauce.
If your sauce has been reduced too much, diluting it with unseasoned stock can help reduce its sodium level. Adding wine is another option, but it’s important to simmer the sauce until the alcohol burns off entirely to avoid bitterness.
Remember, when diluting your teriyaki sauce, always taste as you go and adjust accordingly until you achieve the desired flavor balance.
Adding Sweetness
Another way to balance out the saltiness in teriyaki sauce is by adding sweetness. This can be done by adding brown sugar or honey to the sauce. The sweetness will counteract the salty flavor and create a more balanced taste.
To add sweetness to your teriyaki sauce, start by adding a small amount of brown sugar or honey and taste the sauce. If it’s still too salty, add a bit more until you achieve the desired balance of flavors.
You can also add a citrus element to your teriyaki sauce by incorporating pineapple juice or orange juice. This will add a touch of sweetness and acidity to the sauce, which can help balance out the saltiness.
It’s important to note that if you’re looking to make a gluten-free teriyaki sauce, you should double-check the labels on each of the separate ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free. Overall, adding sweetness is one effective way to balance out the saltiness in teriyaki sauce and create a more enjoyable flavor.
Balancing With Acidic Ingredients
One effective way to balance out the saltiness of teriyaki sauce is by adding acidic ingredients. Acidic ingredients such as vinegar or lemon juice can help neutralize the saltiness and bring balance to the sauce.
When adding acidic ingredients, start with small amounts and taste as you go until you achieve the desired balance. You don’t want to add too much acidity and end up with a sour sauce.
Another option is to use rice wine vinegar in your teriyaki recipe instead of regular vinegar. Rice wine vinegar has a milder flavor and can help balance out the saltiness without overpowering the other flavors in the sauce.
Experimenting With Different Flavors
Teriyaki sauce is a versatile sauce that can be used in many different dishes. If you’re looking to experiment with different flavors, there are several ingredients you can add to your teriyaki sauce to give it a unique twist.
One option is to add some heat to your sauce by adding chili flakes or hot sauce. This will give your sauce a spicy kick that pairs well with grilled meats or stir-fry dishes.
Another option is to add some sweetness to your sauce by adding pineapple juice or brown sugar. This will give your sauce a sweet and tangy flavor that pairs well with chicken or pork dishes.
If you’re looking for a more savory flavor, you can add some garlic or onion powder to your teriyaki sauce. This will give your sauce a rich and savory flavor that pairs well with beef or tofu dishes.
You can also experiment with different types of vinegar to add acidity to your sauce. Rice vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or apple cider vinegar can all be used to add a tangy flavor to your teriyaki sauce.
Finally, you can add some fresh herbs such as cilantro, basil, or parsley to your teriyaki sauce for a fresh and herbaceous flavor. This works particularly well with seafood dishes.
