Here's a healthy teriyaki sauce recipe for your baby and the entire family to enjoy! While it's low sodium, this recipe is delicious and versatile. Enjoy as a marinade or as a sauce.
The authentic Japanese teriyaki sauce consists of soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar. The westernized version usually includes garlic, ginger, honey, and cornstach.
I don't even know what to call my version. As I set out on the nearly impossible mission to develop a baby-friendly Asian sauce, I had to find creative ways to forego added sugars and cut back on sodium as much as possible without sacrificing flavor.
I mean who adds dashima/kelp to teriyaki sauce?! But trust me. It works! I guess I can call this a hybrid of Japanese and western-style with a touch of Korean? 😉
So let's get right to it - low sodium teriyaki sauce!
Ingredients
Making teriyaki sauce at home is easy and healthier. Here’s what you’ll need:
Dashima or kelp - As I set out to cut back on the sodium content as much as possible while maximizing flavor, this ingredient proved to be the secret weapon. Dashima is very commonly used to make the broth base in so many Korean recipes. It contains glutamic acid, which is an amino acid that provides an umami flavor and enhances the flavor of the other ingredients.
I like to purchase pre-cut ones for convenience. Buy a bag and keep in the freezer. If you want to enjoy it in a soup, try this non-spicy Korean tofu soup.
Coconut aminos - made from coconut nectar and sea salt, it tastes sweeter and lighter than soy sauce. It also contains significantly less amount of sodium. It's soy and wheat-free, so if your baby is allergic, this will be a great alternative to soy sauce.
Expert Tips!
A note about dashima or kelp - to maximize flavor, pre-soak for at least 30 minutes (longer the better, if you have time) prior to boiling it. You'll notice some white powder on the surface. Don't wash it off as it's the natural flavor enhancer.
You also don't want to cook it for too long as it will start to turn the sauce slimy and leaven an unpleasant taste.
For the slurry:
- Combine 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Be sure to whisk well until fully dissolved.
- Stir in slowly, whisking continuously until sauce thickens. Keep in mind it will continue to thicken as it cools so be sure to remove from heat before it reaches your desired consistency.
- If you're planning to use this sauce as a marinade, add less cornstarch (1-2 teaspoons) and/or cook for shorter amount of time.
- If you want to enjoy it as a glaze or sauce, like in this teriyaki glazed salmon, then cook for longer.
- Again, the sauce will continue to thicken once it cools so DO NOT cook for too long. Otherwise, you'll end up with jello.
Storage and Reheating
You can store this teriyaki sauce in the fridge for several weeks. The cornstarch will cause it to congeal overtime. Therefore, I recommend heating in a pot over gentle heat, whisking, until it thins out a bit. Add more water if you want to thin it out even further.
More Baby-Friendly Asian Recipes
- Orange sesame chicken with vegetables
- Low sodium moo goo gai pan
- Instant pot Korean chicken and potatoes
- Korean bulgogi
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Low sodium teriyaki sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups (500ml) water
- 3 squares kelp
- ½ medium apple, peeled (about 95g)
- ¼ medium yellow onion (about 105g)
- 6 cloves garlic
- 1 inch fresh ginger
- 3 tablespoons coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- In a pot, soak kelp in water for at least an hour (see note)
- Bring the pot to a boil. Add apple, onion, garlic, and ginger. Cover, reduce heat to medium low and simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Remove kelp. Add coconut aminos and vinegar. Once pot comes to a boil once again cover, reduce heat to medium low an simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
- Turn off heat. Using a colander, strain all the remaining juices from apple, onion, garlic, and ginger, pressing out as much liquid as possible.
- In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water. Whisk until smooth. If made in advance, be sure to restir the slurry just before adding it to the sauce as it will separate as it sits.
- Turn on heat. Once it comes to a gentle simmer slowly add the slurry to the pot. Whisk continuously until you reach desired thickness, 5-8 minutes. Keep in mind it will continue to thicken once cooled.
Notes
- A note about dashima or kelp - to maximize flavor, pre-soak for at least 30 minutes (longer the better, if you have time) prior to boiling it. You'll notice some white powder on the surface. Don't wash it off as it's the natural flavor enhancer. You also don't want to cook it for too long as it will start to turn the sauce slimy and leaven an unpleasant taste.
- Combine 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Be sure to whisk well until fully dissolved.
- Stir in slowly, whisking continuously until sauce thickens. Keep in mind it will continue to thicken as it cools so be sure to remove from heat before it reaches your desired consistency.
- If you're planning to use this sauce as a marinade, add less cornstarch (1-2 teaspoons) and/or cook for shorter amount of time.
- If you want to enjoy it as a glaze or sauce then cook for longer.
- Again, the sauce will continue to thicken once it cools so DO NOT cook for too long. Otherwise, you'll end up with jello.
Jess says
I want to make this tonight with salmon! I don't have coconut amino (not even sure what that is...). Is there an alternative or do I just leave it out?
Thanks!
Min says
Hi! Coconut aminos is a low-sodium alternative to soy sauce. You can use low-sodium soy sauce instead!
Kevin He says
I don't happen to have any kelp on hand. If the only seaweed I have is nori, would you suggest any changes to the recipe to account for that, or should I try to use something else (e.g., shiitake mushrooms) for the umami?
Min says
Kelp is pretty crucial but yes I would try adding shitake mushroom. Nori will just disintegrate
Vee says
Hello! Is this freezer friendly? Can I freeze the sauce in the silicone molds?
Min says
I haven't tried but I think it will be ok!
CinC says
Hi! Appreciate this recipe as many online recipes and, of course, low-sodium bottled sauces are not what low sodium. I'm excited to try this one! How long does this keep in the fridge? Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Cinc says
Oops, saw the notes above 🙂
Winnie says
Hi, can I replace rice vinegar with apple cider Vinegar?
Min says
I haven't tried personally but I imagine it would be fine!
Grace C. says
Hi Min, thank you for sharing this recipe! I paired this with salmons and it was a hit!! Thank you for sharing your talents and recipes that make other moms' lives much easier. 🙂
Min says
Hi Grace! So so glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for taking the time to let me know ;).
Sally says
Hi. Do you use the water the dashi was soaked in or throw it out and use fresh water?
Min says
no no use the dashi water! That's the whole reason for adding dashi. Watch the video in the post. I believe you will find it very helpful
Meryl says
Hi, I don’t have apples at the moment, do u think pears might work?
Min says
sure!
Helena says
Hi,
can I make this terriyaki sauce for a 9 month old baby?
Min says
yes!
Mari says
Hello, is there an alternative to dashima? Can I leavevit out if I can’t get it?
Min says
Hi! Actually that's THE key ingredient to this sauce. It's what provides the umami flavor without the heavy use of soy sauce
ELIZABETH says
Please post how many mg's of sodium are in 1 TLSP.
Thanks so much.
Need nutritional numbers
when cooking for my husband.
Min says
Just added!
Cindy says
Hi! Thanks for the recipe. If the baby/ toddler is 13months, can he just eat food with low sodium soy sauce or should I still make this recipe for him?
Min says
he can I just wouldn't serve high-sodium foods too often as we don't want to "train" our children's tastebuds to expect salty (or sugary) flavors in food. It's all about balance and moderation