Yakitori Sauce vs Teriyaki Sauce: What's the Difference?
Short answer: both sauces share the same Japanese base — soy sauce, mirin, sake and sugar — but yakitori sauce is more savory (often deepened with dashi or chicken stock) and made for basting charcoal-grilled skewers, while teriyaki sauce is sweeter and thicker, used as a glossy glaze or marinade for pan-cooked and oven-cooked dishes.
They look almost identical in the bottle, and many home cooks use them interchangeably. But in a Japanese kitchen they have distinct jobs. Here is exactly how they differ — and when you can swap one for the other.
Side-by-side comparison
| Yakitori sauce | Teriyaki sauce | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | Basting charcoal-grilled skewers (especially chicken) | Glazing and marinating pan-fried, grilled or oven-cooked proteins |
| Base ingredients | Soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar | Soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar |
| The key difference | Often enriched with dashi or reduced chicken stock for a deeper savory note that stands up to smoke | More sugar-forward; the sweetness caramelizes into a shiny glaze |
| Flavor profile | Savory-first, umami-rich, balanced sweetness | Sweet-first, glossy, mildly salty |
| Texture | Thinner — made for repeated dipping and basting during grilling | Thicker — clings to meat as a coating |
| Classic dishes | Yakitori chicken skewers, grilled meatballs (tsukune) | Teriyaki chicken, salmon teriyaki, beef teriyaki bowls |
Which one should you buy?
If you cook skewers on a grill or barbecue, get yakitori sauce — its savory depth is built for smoky, charred meat. For everyday pan or oven cooking (chicken thighs, salmon, stir-fried bowls), teriyaki sauce is the more versatile choice and easier to find in regular supermarkets.
Can you substitute one for the other?
Yes, in a pinch. They share the same backbone, so a dish will still taste good. Going teriyaki → yakitori: your skewers will be slightly sweeter and stickier. Going yakitori → teriyaki: add a pinch of sugar or honey to compensate for the lower sweetness.
Frequently asked questions
Are yakitori sauce and teriyaki sauce the same?
No. They share the same base of soy sauce, mirin, sake and sugar, but yakitori sauce is more savory and made for grilled skewers, while teriyaki sauce is sweeter and used as a glaze or marinade.
Can I use teriyaki sauce for yakitori?
Yes — your skewers will simply be slightly sweeter and stickier. For a closer match, cut the teriyaki sauce with a splash of soy sauce or dashi.
Which is sweeter, yakitori or teriyaki?
Teriyaki sauce is sweeter. Yakitori sauce leans savory, often deepened with dashi or chicken stock.