Making your food as tasty and flavorful as possible is your goal when cooking. Soy sauce and other liquid condiments can add depth and take your cuisine to the next level. Learn more about this seasoning, including which soy sauce is the best.
Things to Look for When Buying Soy Sauce
Although soy sauce is frequently seen as an essential component of Asian cooking, Americans are finally catching up to the hype. In 2025, its U.S. market is projected to generate $5,541.1 million in revenue. Although mayonnaise and ketchup remain the most popular, interest is growing.
However, before purchasing a few bottles for their cupboard, health aficionados should think about a number of factors. For example, because it contains salt, MSG, and other components, soy sauce usually has more sodium than other condiments. Read the nutritional label first if you are very sensitive to salt.
Wheat and soybeans are two of the ingredients used to make soy sauce. Some are made chemically, while others are fermented. You can choose from a wide variety of this condiment, so don’t be scared to experiment and find what suits your tastes.
Top Brands of Soy Sauce
As they browse the aisles of the grocery store, many people will ponder which soy sauce is best. The right response may differ for each individual. These are some of the top brands that you should definitely try.
- San-J
| Type | Tamari soy sauce |
| Origin | Japan |
| Ingredients | Water, soybean, salt, alcohol |
| Available sizes | 10, 20 and 64 fluid ounces |
The most genuine Japanese soy sauce that adheres to the fermentation process is San-J. Compared to ordinary soy sauce, its famous Tamari Soy Sauce is significantly richer and less salty. Additionally, its streamlined ingredient list eliminates gluten and GMOs and makes it vegan.
San-J is among the greatest because of its wide selection. The brand’s exquisitely brewed soy sauce has 28% or 50% less sodium if you’re attempting to control how much salt you consume. For environmental sustainability, some versions also use alcohol and organic soybeans.
- Lee Kum Kee
| Type | Dark Soya Sauce |
| Origin | China |
| Ingredients | Water, salt, soybeans, sugar, wheat four, caramel coloring |
| Available sizes | 8.4, 59 and 64 fluid ounces |
With good cause, Lee Kum Kee is another well-known brand of soy sauce. It is brewed in a very conventional manner, and enhancers are used to further intensify the umami flavor. To extend its shelf life, sodium benzoate is added as an additional preservative.
To marinate and cook, use the traditional Lee Kum Kee Soy Sauce. Its Brown Braising Sauce, a soy sauce designed specifically for cooking Chinese braising foods like pork belly, is another option.
- Kikkoman
| Type | Dark Soya Sauce |
| Origin | Japan |
| Ingredients | Water, soybean, wheat, salt |
| Available sizes | 5 fluid ounces, 40 fluid ounces, 2 quarts |
Before it was introduced and manufactured in America, the famous condiment kikkoman was created in Japan. It produces a dark and rich soy sauce by using the traditional fermentation method. The formulation is non-GMO and contains no additional preservatives.
The famous reddish and brownish color of Kikkoman Soy sauce is retained in gluten-free and organic varieties. Additionally, double-fermented soy sauce is available, which intensifies the umami taste.
- American Garden
| Type | Dark Soya Sauce |
| Origin | U.S. |
| Ingredients | Distilled vinegar, hydrolyzed soy protein, salt, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, caramel color |
| Available sizes | 295 milliliters |
From the Steak Sauce Classic to the Habanero and Tabasco Pepper Sauce, The American Garden is renowned for obtaining a wide range of sauces. For those looking for vegetarian and dairy-free solutions, its Soy Sauce Classic offers an intriguing twist.
The variation retains some of the sweetness with corn syrup and uses hydrolyzed soy protein to produce the umami flavor. The ingredients still remove artificial flavors even though traditional brewing is skipped.
- Silver Swan
| Type | Dark and light soy sauce |
| Origin | Philippines |
| Ingredients | Water, soybean protein, wheat flour, iodized salt, coloring agent |
| Available sizes | 34 and 128 fluid ounces |
Silver Swan, a restaurant from Chinatown in Manila, has a special soy sauce that completely changes the flavor of your food. It’s a little sweeter, like most Philippine condiments. But to get a decent amount of salinity, it uses premium soybeans.
The Regular Lauriat Chinese Soy Sauce, one of Silver Swan’s two primary varieties, has the rich richness that dark soy sauces are renowned for. The Lauriat Chinese Light Soy Sauce is ideal if you want a lighter color and texture.
- Kroger Soy Sauce
| Type | Dark and light soy sauce |
| Origin | U.S. |
| Ingredients | Water, hydrolyzed soy protein, salt, dextrose, caramel color |
| Available sizes | 10 fluid ounces |
Another chemically manufactured soy sauce that uses hydrolyzed soy protein is Kroger’s. Chinese condiments, which are often saltier than Japanese ones, serve as the model for both the original and lite versions.
Kroger is promoted as Kosher and is available in a normal size. The phrase describes food that complies with Jewish dietary requirements known as kashrut, which may forbid specific meats and ingredients unless they are prepared in a particular manner.
Check out Private Selection, one of Kroger’s house brands, if you like a more conventional preparation. Water, defatted soybeans, wheat, salt, and yeast extract are all aged for 180 days to produce a rich umami flavor in their Premium Soy Sauce.
The texture of Private Selection is comparatively more viscous than that of other available selections. When you need thicker sauces for noodles or stir-fried rice, this is perfect. Despite its darker hue, some people consider it to be a little less salty, making it a great starting point for people who are unfamiliar with soy sauces.
- Pearl River Bridge
| Type | Dark soy sauce |
| Origin | China |
| Ingredients | Water, soybeans, salt, sugar, wheat flour |
| Available sizes | 5, 150, 500 and 600 milliliters |
Another well-known brand in the United States is Pearl River Bridge. The brand’s most notable product is its Superior Dark Soy Sauce producer, which ferments for over 100 days to produce its strong flavor and aroma. A little makes a big difference!
The same Southern Chinese soybeans are used to make Pearl River Bridge’s Superior Light Soy Sauce. The Gluten Free Low Salt Soy Sauce from its portfolio is also a great option if you’re looking for a healthier option.
Frequently Asked Questions on Soy Sauce
Even though you now know the best soy sauce, you might still have questions regarding this notorious condiment. To help with clarification, below are some commonly asked questions.
How Can You Pick a Soy Sauce?
It’s up to you to decide which soy sauce to use. Is keeping larger bottles in your kitchen a top priority for you? Or are you primarily looking for the greatest taste? Think about the purpose when choosing between light and dark soy sauce. Whereas the latter changes color and totally transforms the flavor, the former is mostly used for marinades and seasoning.
What Are Soy Sauce’s Greatest Advantages?
When necessary, soy sauce is an excellent strategy to progressively increase your intake of salt. Additionally, it contains antioxidants to guard against free radical-induced cell damage, though more research is required to validate this. It’s still advised to use this sparingly in recipes.
What Is Too Much Soy Sauce?
Soy sauce contains a lot of salt. More than a third of the daily required salt intake can be met with just one spoonful of it. The best course of action is to cook only one serving of a dish per day. Of course, you can change the quantity if you are marinating or meal preparing.
What’s the Shelf Life of Soy Sauce?
Particularly when stored closed on the shelf, soy sauce keeps for a long time. Its lengthy shelf life is a result of preservatives and the fermenting process. However, three to six months after opening the bottle is when it is at its freshest. To keep the spice, place it in the refrigerator.
Where Your Soy Sauce Is Used
After obtaining the soy sauce, you can begin experimenting with other recipes. To help you get started on your new and improved culinary adventure, here are some ideas.
Sauce for Dipping
A dipping sauce is among the most straightforward applications for soy sauce. It can be used for dumplings, fresh veggies, and even plain boiled chicken. To accomplish this, combine your preferred brand with pepper, rice wine vinegar, and sesame oil. If you want to add a herbaceous flavor, you can add cilantro. Save the extra for your next meal and use it carefully.
Sauce Stir-Fry
Another necessary item you can keep on hand is stir-fry sauce. It can be quickly prepared with leftover rice and noodles, as well as shrimp, tofu, vegetables, and other foods. Vegetable stock is the first ingredient in this recipe, followed by soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and sugar. Add red pepper flakes for spiciness and cornstarch for thickness.
Dressing for Salads
Try making this Asian ginger dressing for a basic salad instead of the typical Thousand Island dressing. For the strongest flavor, fresh ginger and garlic should be minced. Stir in rice vinegar, honey, soy sauce, and olive oil. Adjust to your personal taste and dilute with water.
Base for Soup
Soy sauce is a great way to make high-quality soup. Shoyu ramen is one of the most well-liked varieties, and Japanese chefs are trained to prepare it flawlessly. Your preferred soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, chicken stock, dashi soup stock, and sake make up the broth. To taste, add salt and sugar.
Locate the Greatest Soy Sauce
Choosing the best soy sauce might be difficult because there are so many varieties available. Taste the best ones after using the list to narrow down your options. When selecting your condiments, keep your health and personal preferences in mind.
SOURCE: ART OF HEALTHY LIVING
