What are the Ingredients in Kikkoman Teriyaki Sauce?

October 24, 2025 •

4 min read

First introduced to the American market in 1961, Kikkoman teriyaki sauce has become a household staple for its classic sweet and savory flavor. But what are the specific ingredients that give Kikkoman teriyaki sauce its distinctive taste?

Quick Summary

Kikkoman's original teriyaki sauce is built on a foundation of naturally brewed soy sauce, wine, and spices. Its ingredients and consistency vary between marinade, glaze, and gluten-free versions.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: Kikkoman's original teriyaki sauce is primarily made of naturally brewed soy sauce, wine, sugar, water, and spices.
Texture Differences: The standard marinade is thin for penetration, while the teriyaki glaze is thickened with modified starch and xanthan gum for coating.
Varied Flavor Profiles: Different products, like the Original Takumi, incorporate additional ingredients such as fresh ginger and sesame seeds for a richer, bolder taste.
Allergen Awareness: The standard sauces contain wheat and soy, while a specific gluten-free version uses a rice-based soy sauce.
Preservatives and Additives: Preservatives like sodium benzoate and flavor enhancers like succinic acid are included to extend shelf life and refine the flavor.
Homemade Alternative: A homemade version often features more fresh ingredients like minced garlic and ginger, along with mirin or sake.

Unpacking the Ingredients of Kikkoman Original Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce

Kikkoman’s most well-known product in this category, the Original Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce, is a balanced blend of sweet, salty, and savory flavors that is used for marinating, basting, and cooking. The ingredient list is straightforward, focusing on a few key components that create its characteristic profile.

The essential ingredients for the Original Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce include:

Soy Sauce: The primary ingredient, made from water, soybeans, wheat, and salt, forms the base of the sauce, providing its deep umami and savory notes.
Wine: Adds a layer of complexity and depth to the flavor. The wine contains sulfites as a preservative.
Sugar: Provides the sweetness that balances the saltiness of the soy sauce, contributing to the classic teriyaki flavor.
Water: Used to manage the consistency and concentration of the sauce.
Salt: A core component, alongside soy sauce, for the overall savory profile.
Vinegar: Lends a slight tanginess that cuts through the richness.
Onion Powder: Adds a savory, aromatic base note.
Garlic Powder: A pungent, savory addition that is fundamental to the Westernized teriyaki flavor.
Natural Flavors: A proprietary blend of seasonings unique to Kikkoman that round out the flavor profile.
Sodium Benzoate: A preservative used to maintain freshness.
Succinic Acid: A flavor enhancer that adds a subtle savory flavor.

Kikkoman Teriyaki Sauce Variations and Their Ingredients

Beyond the original, Kikkoman offers several other teriyaki products, each with a slightly different ingredient list to achieve its intended function.

Kikkoman Teriyaki Glaze

This thicker, more viscous sauce is designed for brushing and basting, creating a glossy finish on cooked foods. Its ingredients differ from the marinade to achieve this consistency:

Base Ingredients: Similar to the marinade, it starts with Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Wheat, Salt), Water, and Wine.
Sweeteners: It uses Sugar, and adds Caramelised Sugar Syrup for a richer color and flavor.
Thickening Agents: Modified starch and Xanthan Gum are included to give it a thicker, more glaze-like consistency.
Flavorings: Contains Concentrated Apple Juice, Spirit Vinegar, and Ginger Powder, providing a more complex flavor profile than the simple marinade.

Kikkoman Original Takumi® Teriyaki Sauce

This product is a richer, more concentrated version with added aromatics like sesame and ginger.

Base Ingredients: Soy Sauce, Sugar, Water, and Vinegar.
Flavoring Agents: Includes Ginger, Sesame Seeds, Garlic, and Dehydrated Onion for a bolder taste.
Sweetener: Contains Mirin (water, dextrose, rice, corn syrup, salt) in addition to sugar, adding a delicate sweetness.
Thickening: Uses Xanthan Gum to thicken the sauce.

Kikkoman Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce

For those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, Kikkoman offers a gluten-free version. The key difference lies in the soy sauce used.

Gluten-Free Soy Sauce: The soy sauce is made with rice instead of wheat, making it suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Other Ingredients: Similar to the original, it contains wine (check for sulfites), sugar, water, and spices.

Comparison of Kikkoman Teriyaki Varieties


Ingredient	Original Marinade	Teriyaki Glaze	Original Takumi	Gluten-Free	Homemade (common)
Soy Sauce	Water, Soybeans, Wheat, Salt	Water, Soybeans, Wheat, Salt	Water, Soybeans, Wheat, Salt	Water, Soybeans, Rice, Salt	Soy Sauce / Tamari
Wine	Yes	Yes	Yes (Mirin)	Yes	Mirin / Sake
Sugar	Yes	Yes + Caramelised Sugar Syrup	Yes	Yes	Brown Sugar / Honey
Water	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Thickener	None (thin consistency)	Modified Starch, Xanthan Gum	Xanthan Gum	Modified Starch (in some)	Cornstarch
Garlic	Powder	Powder	Fresh, Powder	Powder	Powder / Fresh
Ginger	None (proprietary blend)	Powder	Fresh	Powder	Powder / Fresh
Sesame	None	None	Seeds	None	Oil / Seeds

Allergens and Special Considerations

Before using any Kikkoman teriyaki sauce, it is important to be aware of potential allergens and dietary needs. The most common allergens are soy and wheat, but variations exist.

Soy: Present in all varieties of Kikkoman teriyaki sauce as a base ingredient. Individuals with a soy allergy must avoid these products. Tamari is a soy-free alternative that can be used for homemade sauce.
Wheat (Gluten): Found in the soy sauce used for the Original and Glaze varieties. Only the specifically labeled "Gluten-Free" product is safe for individuals with a wheat allergy or celiac disease.
Sulfite: Wine is a common ingredient in many Kikkoman teriyaki products and contains sulfur dioxide, which is a sulfite. Individuals with a sulfite sensitivity or allergy should check the label carefully.

Conclusion: Decoding the Bottle

By carefully examining the ingredient lists, it becomes clear that not all Kikkoman teriyaki sauces are the same. The original marinade is a thin, classic blend designed for deep flavor penetration, while the glaze and Takumi versions are thicker and richer, with added ingredients like starches, ginger, and sesame to enhance flavor and texture. For those with dietary restrictions, the gluten-free version provides a safe alternative. Understanding the specific ingredients helps consumers choose the right product for their culinary needs, whether for marinating, basting, or simply adding a flavor boost to their favorite dishes.

For more information on the history and variety of Kikkoman products, visit their official website [kikkomanusa.com/homecooks/products/teriyaki-marinade-sauce/].

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the Original Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade and Sauce contains wheat as part of its soy sauce base and is not gluten-free. Kikkoman does, however, offer a specifically labeled gluten-free teriyaki sauce option.

Yes, many Kikkoman teriyaki sauces contain wine and/or alcohol, which adds depth to the flavor profile. The exact content may vary depending on the product, so checking the label is recommended.

The sweetness in Kikkoman teriyaki sauce comes primarily from sugar. Some variations, like the Original Takumi, also include mirin and other sweeteners for a more complex sweetness.

The glaze is thicker because it includes additional ingredients like modified corn starch and xanthan gum, which act as thickening agents to create a more viscous consistency suitable for basting.

Yes, the main allergens are soy and wheat (gluten). Soy is present in all varieties. Wheat is found in the standard sauce but not the gluten-free version. Some products also contain sulfites from the wine.

The main difference is consistency and use. The marinade is a thinner liquid for penetrating food, while the glaze is thicker, designed for brushing on during the final cooking stages to create a shiny finish.

Yes, a homemade teriyaki sauce can be made by combining soy sauce, a sweetener like brown sugar or honey, and aromatics like ginger, garlic, and sometimes mirin or rice vinegar. Cornstarch can be used to thicken it if desired.