I Asked 3 Experts To Name the Best Teriyaki Sauce—They All Said the Same Thing

After a long day of work, I often turn to meals that are easy to assemble but rich and robust. Store-bought, prepared sauces are one of the main ways I make this happen. I particularly like using pre-made teriyaki sauce.

Teriyaki sauce is delicious, but when made from scratch, it requires several ingredients and time that I don’t have on weeknights. A good store-bought brand, on the other hand, lets me marinate proteins or whip up quick noodle and rice recipes in no time, satisfying my ever-present craving for Asian cuisine.

When it comes to store-bought teriyaki sauce, I’ve found that not all options are created equal. Some brands meet my high standards, while others miss the mark. Such variability has led me to wonder which brand of teriyaki sauce food pros generally rely on. So I asked three experts and found that they all recommend the same brand!

The Food Professionals I Asked

The Best Store-Bought Teriyaki Sauce, According to Food Pros

The brand each of these esteemed food pros spoke most highly of is Trader Joe’s Soyaki. The flavor of this TJ’s fixture is one of its major selling points. Fischer describes it as “a hybrid of soy sauce and teriyaki with hints of garlic, sesame, and ginger.”

It’s a go-to for Clarke as both a marinade and a sauce. She likes that it has “that classic teriyaki flavor with a perfect balance of sweet and savory,” she says. “It’s not cloyingly sweet, a downfall of many store-bought sauces.”

Another attraction of this sauce is how accessible it is. You can find this TJ’s favorite in stores nationwide all year round, a perennial staple for as little as $3.99.

How to Use Trader Joe’s Soyaki

As for tasty ways to utilize this sauce in the kitchen, these foodies offered plenty of ideas. “It’s thick enough to coat proteins and veggies beautifully, making it an easy way to add bold flavor to a dish,” says Clarke, who uses it in rich stir-fries and on grilled proteins. Fischer likes it as a dressing for rice bowls, while Castillo prepares  a quick and simple chicken teriyaki in the air fryer with this savory sauce. “It makes any dish better, whether drizzled over veggies, chicken, or just a bowl of rice,” she declares.

Indeed, tofu, pork, steak, shrimp, ribs, and salmon are all divine when drenched in this sauce and served over mixed greens, hot or cold noodles, or even a freshly baked potato. Don’t forget scallions for garnish, though you shouldn’t have to sprinkle on sesame seeds because Soyaki includes them in the bottle!

Another Great Store-Bought Teriyaki Sauce, According to Pros

As a runner-up option, our food pros also recommend Primal Kitchen No Soy Teriyaki—a particularly excellent choice for those who can’t tolerate soy. “This sauce is made with coconut aminos and organic ingredients but still delivers that umami richness,” Fischer explains. Clarke agrees, adding that she appreciates its clean ingredient list.

With all of the pros’ advice in mind, I’m going to swing by Trader Joe’s and grab a bottle of the Soyaki for my stir-fry tonight!