soy sauce

noun

variants or less commonly soy or chiefly British soya sauce

: a brown, salty liquid that is made by subjecting soybeans and roasted grain (such as wheat) to long fermentation in brine and is used especially in Asian cooking and as a condiment

At its most basic, soy sauce is a fermented liquid made from soybeans and wheat. Soybeans contribute a strong, pungent taste, while wheat lends sweetness.

—Lisa McManuse

My most recent kick has been Chinese. For more than a year now I've been stir-frying everything in ginger and garlic and adding soy sauce.

—Andrew A. Rooney

see shoyu

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

There are five main types of broth — shio (salt), shoyu (soy sauce), miso, tonkotsu (pork), tsukemen (dipping style) — and toppings range from homemade wontons to slices of pork and sweet corn. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2023

The chicken is sliced, draped with a gravy of soy sauce, sesame oil and chicken stock, and garnished with cured cucumbers. —Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2023

In a large bowl, stir together the sesame seeds, mirin, soy sauce, sake, sugar, and cayenne (if using). —Christopher Kimball, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Apr. 2023

Despite their bad reputation, mold, yeast, and fungus are responsible for some of the tastiest things in our lives, such as blue cheese, bread, pizza crust, soy sauce, miso, and of course mushrooms and truffles. —Mike Desimone And Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2023

Enlarge / Empty traditional jars (onggi, 옹기), used for storing kimchi, gochujang, doenjang, soy sauce, and other pickled banchan (side dishes). —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 17 Apr. 2023

Step 4Meanwhile, in medium bowl, combine ketchup, Worcestershire, soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon vinegar. —Tina Martinez, Good Housekeeping, 17 Apr. 2023

Traditionally, Orange Chicken sauce contains orange zest, orange juice, soy sauce, ginger, vinegar, stock, and corn starch. —Christopher Michel, Country Living, 25 Mar. 2023

To make the marinade, combine garlic, soy sauce, lemon juice, olive oil and cayenne pepper, if using, in a deep bowl. —Megan Marples, CNN, 20 Mar. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

soy sauce

noun

: a brown sauce made from soybeans and used especially in Chinese and Japanese cooking