Is Teriyaki Sauce Acidic or Alkaline?
Teriyaki sauce (prepared) is slightly acid-forming: Positive PRAL: acid-forming after digestion.
Classification
Teriyaki sauce comes in at +2.0 per 100 ml and is slightly acid-forming because the soy base brings protein and phosphorus, while sugar, mirin and spices contribute hardly any potassium. Plain soy sauce is a bit lower at +1.2. Two tablespoons for a marinade, about 30 ml, add just +0.6. The chicken in the marinade counts for far more.
In the Herbs, Spices & Sauces category, teriyaki sauce (prepared) ranks #64 of 75, sorted from alkaline to acid-forming. More alkaline options include Sweet mustard (+1.8), Mayonnaise (+1.5), Pesto, green (+1.3). More acid-forming are Mustard, medium hot (+2.3), French dressing (+3.0), Caesar dressing (+4.2).
Acidic or alkaline: PRAL, not pH
On this site, acidic and alkaline refer to the PRAL (potential renal acid load). It estimates what a food leaves behind once it has been digested: a positive value is acid-forming, a negative value is alkalizing. That is different from the pH of the food itself: a lemon tastes sour, yet its PRAL is −4.0, so it is alkalizing. Your diet does not change your blood pH. It does change how much acid your kidneys have to deal with.
What balances teriyaki sauce
A teaspoon (5 g) of teriyaki sauce adds +0.1 to your daily balance. These three bring it back; the grams shown offset exactly this serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is teriyaki sauce acidic?
It depends on what you mean by acidic. The pH describes the food itself, for example how sour it tastes. The PRAL describes what it leaves behind after digestion: Teriyaki sauce (prepared) has a PRAL of +2.0 per 100 ml, so it counts as slightly acid-forming in your daily acid-base balance.
Do I have to avoid teriyaki sauce on an alkaline diet?
No. What counts is the balance of the whole day, not a single food. Teriyaki sauce is slightly acid-forming; with enough vegetables, potatoes and fruit on the same plate, the meal stays balanced.
Teriyaki Sauce logged, balance checked.
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Compare all Herbs, Spices & Sauces: Herbs, Spices & Sauces table. Common questions are answered in Acidic or Alkaline?, and the PRAL calculator adds up a whole meal.
Source: Basentracker food database (PRAL according to Remer & Manz, calculated from protein, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium per 100 g). This information does not replace medical advice.