Teriyaki Sauce Vs. Marinade: What's The Difference? - Tasting Table (2024)

Teriyaki Sauce Vs. Marinade: What's The Difference? - Tasting Table (2)

Teriyaki Sauce Vs. Marinade: What's The Difference? - Tasting Table (3)

Teriyaki Sauce Vs. Marinade: What's The Difference?

Teriyaki Sauce Vs. Marinade: What's The Difference? - Tasting Table (4)

Africa Studio/Shutterstock

ByShaye Glisson/

Teriyaki chicken is tangy, sweet, salty, and oh so satisfying! It often accompanies white rice and broccoli or a stir-fried vegetable medley. Teriyaki's taste adds delicious flavor to chicken, pork, beef, and tofu, and it contains an incomparable, savory taste (via MadamnGRecipe).

Teriyaki sauce and marinade can be made at home from scratch or store-bought. Either way, teriyaki contains the Asian flavors of savory soy sauce, honey, onion, garlic, and ginger.

Marinades and sauces are used to complete many dishes and add flavor to otherwise bland meats and other foods. When it comes to which you should use, do you know the difference? Distinguishing between the two will help you choose which you should use for the type of meat or meal you plan to cook. Time is also a determining factor for whether you should use a marinade or sauce. Keep scrolling to learn the differences between the two types of teriyaki seasonings.

Marinades and sauces are used differently

Teriyaki Sauce Vs. Marinade: What's The Difference? - Tasting Table (5)

deimel-fotografie.de/Shutterstock

Craving teriyaki chicken? When it comes to cooking the dish, knowing the difference between teriyaki sauce and marinade can affect your fare. The sweet and sour, tangy mixture is included in many Asian dishes. Its soy sauce base contains ginger, and sesame, with hints of garlic, and complements poultry, fish, and beef very well (via eHow).

EHow says that the most significant difference between teriyaki marinade and sauce is its use. A marinade is a thin liquid with a consistency similar to water. Vegetables such as garlic, onion, or ginger are often added to enhance the marinade's flavor potency (via eHow). A marinade adds concentrated flavor gradually by allowing the meat to soak up all the flavor over time, sometimes soaking for several hours. Marinating meat provides juice flavor and a tender meat consistency (via MadamnGRecipe).

In contrast, teriyaki sauce adds instant flavor gratification and has a consistency that is usually thicker than a marinade. It is used for basting or pouring over meat as it cooks. Because teriyaki sauce is palette-ready, it is also used as a dipping sauce or condiment for cooked meats such as chicken nuggets or wings (via Master Class).

Both teriyaki sauce and marinade give your chicken a boost of flavor. They can be used together for a rich flavor or separately as a subtle seasoning addition to poultry, beef, or fish.

Recommended

Teriyaki Sauce Vs. Marinade: What's The Difference? - Tasting Table (2024)

FAQs

Teriyaki Sauce Vs. Marinade: What's The Difference? - Tasting Table? ›

Marinating meat provides juice flavor and a tender meat consistency (via MadamnGRecipe). In contrast, teriyaki sauce adds instant flavor gratification and has a consistency that is usually thicker than a marinade. It is used for basting or pouring over meat as it cooks.

Is there a difference between teriyaki sauce and marinade? ›

The main difference is that marinades are used to flavor food before cooking while a sauce is added during the cooking process or after the dish has been cooked. One important thing: don't use premade marinade that's been used to marinate meat, poultry, or fish.

What is the difference between a marinade and a sauce? ›

Marinades contain more acidic ingredients like vinegar or citrus juice which helps to break down the proteins in meats and vegetables, making them more tender when cooked. Sauces, on the other hand, contain more fat and sugar and are served after cooking to add flavour.

Can you eat marinade as a sauce? ›

Raw meat and fish have germs on their surfaces that will contaminate a marinade after use. Even if your marinade has acid or alcohol, these ingredients are not strong enough to kill the germs. Enough contamination remains that you can get sick from a foodborne illness if you use the marinade for basting or as a sauce.

What is the taste of teriyaki sauce? ›

The main things that you'll taste when eating anything that's been glazed in teriyaki sauce is sweetness, tanginess and stickiness. You'll also get a big whack of salt and umami flavouring from the soy, which is why it works so well to amp up light fish or veg and bring out the umami flavours in red meat.

Can you use Kikkoman teriyaki marinade as a sauce? ›

Made with Kikkoman® Soy Sauce, premium wines, vinegar, corn syrup and Asian seasonings, Kikkoman® Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce gives foods rich teriyaki flavor you can count on time after time. Use it right from the bottle as a marinade, dipping sauce, condiment or signature sauce base.

Can you reduce teriyaki marinade? ›

Teriyaki sauce is a great way to liven up meat and vegetables and provides a delicious Asian flavour to any dish. Don't fret if your sauce is a little thin, simply use heat to reduce the liquid or add a little corn flour. In no time at all, you will have a thicker sauce that is ready to add to your meal.

What is the rule for marinade? ›

A general rule of marinade-to-meat ratio is one-half cup of marinade per pound of meat. Times vary depending on the type, cut and size of the meat. Denser meats such as pork and steak can marinate for 24 hours or even longer. A lighter meat like chicken can marinate between 2 hours and 24 hours.

What are the three main ingredients when marinating? ›

A typical marinade is made up of three essential components: an acid (such as vinegar, wine, or citrus), an oil (such as olive oil or sesame oil), and a flavouring agent (such as herbs and spices).

What are the three main types of marinade? ›

Different types of marinades are classified as acidic, enzymatic, or oil-based.

Can I cook chicken in its marinade? ›

No matter how you cook it, you'll want to discard any extra uncooked marinade. Alternatively, bring the marinade to a full boil to kill any bacteria, then brush it onto the cooked chicken.

How to turn leftover marinade into a sauce? ›

However, if the marinade is thin and you'd like to reuse it as a thicker sauce, boiling will help reduce the leftover marinade and concentrate the flavors. Plus, this step doubles as a safety measure.

Is it OK to cook meat in its marinade? ›

If some of the marinade is to be used as a sauce on the cooked food, reserve a portion of the marinade before putting raw meat or poultry in it. However, if the marinade used on raw meat or poultry is to be reused, make sure to let it come to a boil first to destroy any harmful bacteria.

Is teriyaki sauce better thick or thin? ›

Teriyaki refers to a style of Japanese cuisine that includes cooking proteins and vegetables in a thick, sweet, and savory sauce. The word loosely translates to "glossy broil" and is synonymous with a bold, tangy flavor that is beloved the world over.

What is teriyaki sauce best for? ›

Teriyaki sauce pairs well with meats such as fish, chicken, beef, and pork. When used as a dipping sauce, teriyaki sauce flavors chicken wings, dumplings, shrimp, and steak. Stir-fries, rice dishes, and vegetables use teriyaki sauce for additional flavor.

Why does teriyaki taste so good? ›

Additionally, teriyaki sauce often includes ingredients such as red wine, garlic oil, and spices, which enhance the overall taste and aroma. The combination of these flavors creates a savory, sweet, and tangy taste profile that is highly appealing to many people.

Is it better to buy or make teriyaki sauce? ›

You know how the irresistibly sweet-salty teriyaki-slathered grilled meat you get at a Japanese restaurant is infinitely more delicious than the stuff you make at home? Well, the reason is simple: Homemade teriyaki sauce is just always better than the sickly sweet store-bought stuff.

Does teriyaki marinade thicken? ›

To Make the Teriyaki Sauce:

When the mixture reaches a simmer, bring the heat down to low and allow to reduce for 10 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl; the mixture will thicken as it cools. Note: If you want super thick teriyaki sauce, you can use a bit of cornstarch to help.

What is the difference between marinade and marinate? ›

A marinade is an herb rich acidic sauce that is used to tenderize and add flavor to foods, particularly protein foods. Marinate is the verb form of marinade, meaning to soak the food in an acidic sauce adding flavor and tenderizing protein foods.

What is the definition of teriyaki marinade? ›

teriyaki, in Japanese cuisine, foods grilled with a highly flavoured glaze of soy sauce and sake or mirin (sweet wine). Garlic and fresh ginger are sometimes added to the mixture. In westernized Japanese cooking, the teriyaki sauce is frequently used as a marinade as well as a basting sauce.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Duane Harber

Last Updated:

Views: 5975

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Duane Harber

Birthday: 1999-10-17

Address: Apt. 404 9899 Magnolia Roads, Port Royceville, ID 78186

Phone: +186911129794335

Job: Human Hospitality Planner

Hobby: Listening to music, Orienteering, Knapping, Dance, Mountain biking, Fishing, Pottery

Introduction: My name is Duane Harber, I am a modern, clever, handsome, fair, agreeable, inexpensive, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.