21 Excuses to Break Out the Soy Sauce

It adds color, flavor, and a salty umami hit. Is there anything soy sauce can't do? We've got 21 ways to find out.
Peden + Munk1/21Spinach Ohitashi
This deep savory dressing, with mirin and soy sauce, makes simply cooked vegetables come to life.
Chris Searl2/21Roast Pork Shoulder with Star Anise and Soy Sauce
Soy is dynamite in marinades, and this one is no exception.
Alex Lau3/21Soy-Sesame Dressing
Far less sweet than the bottled version, but equally delicious on a salad or tossed with some soba noodles.
Christopher Testani4/21Glazed and Lacquered Roast Turkey
A little soy sauce in the glaze ensures the burnished mahogany skin that holiday memories are made of. But it’s not just for looks; this brined and buttered bird is seasoned inside and out.
Peden + Munk5/21Spicy Tofu Crumbles
Try these tossed into stir-fries, as a burrito filling, or folded into sautéed greens.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Anna Billingskog6/21Salmon Teriyaki
Teriyaki gets an image makeover in this classic dish without losing its sweet and salty glaze (thanks, soy sauce!).
Danny Kim7/21Five-Spice Nuts with Soy Sauce and Sesame
Store the finished nuts in an air-tight container to prevent stickiness.
Aya Brackett8/21King Trumpet Yakitori
If king trumpet mushrooms aren’t available, use shiitake caps, which will also take well to the perfectly balanced soy-based glaze.
Danny Kim9/21Sautéed Spinach with Soy and Sesame
The earthiness of the spinach is balanced by the soy sauce and vinegar.
Photo by Linda Xiao10/21Basic Bulgogi
Cutting the meat into very thin strips allows it to absorb the hot-sweet-salty marinade in minutes, not hours.
Alex Lau11/21Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts
A vegetarian twist on a Chinese take-out standard, these sprouts deliver crunch, spice, and zing.
Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Prop Styling by Alex Massillon, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht12/21Garlicky Bok Choy
The soy-based sauce for these Asian greens is irresistable.
Christina Holmes13/21Wedding Chicken
Surprised to see a roast chicken recipe here? Don't be. The soy sauce marinade is incredible.
Gentl & Hyers14/21Soy and Sesame Short Ribs
You can use this marinade on any cut of beef (hanger is another favorite), chicken wings, or pork ribs.
Lennart Weibull15/21Ramen with Smoked Turkey Broth
You can't have ramen without soy sauce. Or at least, you shouldn't.
Ryan Liebe16/21Grilled Mushrooms and Carrots with Sesame
Soy helps give these mushrooms a lacquered look.
Hirsheimer & Hamilton17/21Caramel Chicken
Don’t be put off by the sugar in this recipe—it’s balanced by the vinegar and soy sauce.
Alex Lau18/21Wok-Fried Rice Noodles with Chicken and Squid
A good stir-fry includes a hearty splash of soy sauce. This one, especially!
Hirsheimer & Hamilton19/21Soba and Maitake Mushrooms in Soy Broth
This soup is trendy ramen’s healthier sibling: The buckwheat in soba is nutritious and a good source of fiber (in a flavorful maitake mushroom soy broth, too).
Hirshemier & Hamilton20/21Ginger-Garlic Tofu
Let the porous tofu soak up the flavors of malty Chinese black vinegar and soy sauce.
Molly Stevens21/21Soy-Braised Short Ribs with Shiitakes
Start this recipe ahead of time; chilling the ribs after braising keeps them from falling falling apart when they served (and all braised meats taste better the next day).