This homemade sweet soy sauce recipe is a quick and easy recipe, which is made with soy sauce, fresh ginger, and fresh garlic. It’s a great pantry staple, ready in about 8 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Sweet Soy Sauce Recipe Ingredients
- ¼ cup coconut sugar (or dark brown sugar)
- 1 tbsp light or dark brown sugar
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 1 tsp minced garlic
How To Make Trader Joe’s Sweet Soy Sauce Recipe
- Combine ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the coconut sugar, brown sugar, soy sauce, minced ginger, and minced garlic.
- Simmer and thicken: Bring the mixture to a boil over low to medium heat. Reduce the heat and let it simmer, stirring frequently, until the sugar is completely dissolved and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Cool and store: Transfer the sauce to an airtight container or jar to cool.
Recipe Tips
- How do I know when the sauce is thick enough? It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Can I use ground ginger and garlic? Freshly minced ginger and garlic will provide the best, most vibrant flavor. In a pinch, you can substitute with 1/4 teaspoon of the ground, dried versions.
- How can I make this gluten-free? To make a gluten-free version, simply use a gluten-free tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce.
- How can I make a thicker glaze? For a much thicker sauce, perfect for glazing, you can add a cornstarch slurry. Mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water until smooth, then whisk it into the simmering sauce and cook for another minute until thickened.
What To Serve With Sweet Soy Sauce
This versatile sauce is a fantastic addition to many Asian-inspired dishes.
- As a base for a chicken, beef, or vegetable stir-fry
- Tossed with your favorite noodle dishes, like lo mein
- As a glaze for grilled salmon, chicken, or pork
- As a dipping sauce for dumplings, spring rolls, or potstickers
How To Store Sweet Soy Sauce
- Refrigerate: Store the cooled sauce in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 5 days.
Sweet Soy Sauce Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1 Tablespoon
- Calories: 45 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Sugar: 9g
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
FAQs
While similar, traditional teriyaki sauce is typically made with a base of soy sauce, mirin (a sweet rice wine), and/or sake. This recipe is a simpler sweet soy glaze.
The combination creates a more complex sweetness. Coconut sugar (or dark brown sugar) provides a deep, caramel-like flavor, while the light brown sugar adds a classic molasses note.
Yes, you can reduce the amount of sugar to your preference. Keep in mind that this will result in a thinner, less glaze-like sauce.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Curry Sauce Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Jalapeño Hot Sauce Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Tikka Masala Sauce Recipe
Trader Joe’s Sweet Soy Sauce Recipe
Course: SauceCuisine: Asian-InspiredDifficulty: Easy8
servings3
minutes5
minutes45
kcalA quick and easy 5-ingredient sweet soy sauce that’s perfect for stir-fries, glazes, and dipping sauces.
Ingredients
¼ cup coconut sugar
1 tbsp brown sugar
½ cup soy sauce
1 tsp minced ginger
1 tsp minced garlic
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over low/medium heat.
- Reduce heat and simmer, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce has slightly thickened.
- Let cool and transfer to an airtight container.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- The sauce will thicken more as it cools down.
- For a gluten-free version, be sure to use tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce.
- Fresh ginger and garlic provide the best flavor for this simple sauce.
- This is a perfect pantry-staple recipe for a quick and flavorful meal addition.
