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

Examples of soy sauce in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of Noko Nashville's signature dishes is the Blue Fin Tuna Crudo, a Chef's cut of tuna made with Wakame, truffle mustard soy sauce, pickled wasabi and crispy onion. —Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 5 Dec. 2024

In a medium bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the orange juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, crushed red pepper flakes, garlic powder and ginger. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 5 Dec. 2024

Step 3 In a small bowl, stir together half of the Sichuan pepper oil, 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil, the oyster sauce, sesame oil, and remaining soy sauce and sugar and set aside. —Lois Goh, Saveur, 13 Nov. 2024

The foundation of a menu For Wong, a ginger soy sauce has become the hallmark of her cooking. —Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2024

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