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

Malty black vinegar, salty soy sauce, and peppery ginger all add plenty of oomph. —Bon Appétit, 28 Sep. 2024

These beautiful glass bottles house premium accouterments, like oil and vinegar, but can also hold soy sauce, cooking wine, gourmet hot sauce, and even maple syrup. —Christina Shepherd McGuire, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Sep. 2024

Get The Recipe 34 of 40 Bourbon Chicken Aside from the namesake bourbon, this recipe tosses the chicken in ketchup, brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar for the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2024

In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, sesame oil and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 31 July 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