Is Soy Sauce Acidic?

The acidity level in soy sauce ranges between 4.5 and 5.5 pH units on the pH scale. This means that it has a slightly acidic taste, as compared with other types of vinegar.

In this article, we will cover how acidic soy sauce is. We will also cover the benefits and drawbacks of using soy sauce, especially if you are sensitive to acidic food.

What Is Soy Sauce?

Soybeans, water, salt, wheat, and a fermenting agent make the popular Asian condiment called soy sauce. It’s a popular condiment for sushi, hibachi steak, and fried rice. 

In addition, soy sauce can be found in wide different varieties, including tamari sauce and shoyu sauce.

Before it became popular as a seasoning for other foods, it was used to keep fish from going bad. Today, soy sauce can be found all over the world.

What Is Soy Sauce’s Acidity Level?

Soy sauce is a fermented condiment made from soybeans, salt and water. It is used in many Asian dishes, including stir fries, soups and marinades.

Soy sauce has a distinctive flavor that can be described as salty, sweet and umami. In addition to its flavor profile, soy sauce also has a high pH level that helps prevent spoilage of the product by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms.

5The pH level of soy sauce is between 4.5 and 5.5, making it a slightly acidic food product. The pH scale is a system of measurement that describes the concentration of hydrogen ions in a given solution.

Solutions with a pH below 7 are considered acidic, while solutions above 7 are considered basic or alkaline.

The specific pH range for soy sauce makes it a slightly acidic food product, which means that although it’s slightly acidic, it won’t bother those with sensitive stomachs.

Compared to other common foods, like milk, which has a pH level between 6.5 and 7, it is a bit acidic.

Soy sauce is fermented, acidic soybeans. When you add water to fermented beans and let them sit for months, you get acidic beans. 

Fermented soybeans provide soy sauce’s acidity. It produces lactic acid, which gives the sauce its sour taste and helps preserve it.

Acidic things tend to spoil less. Microbes thrive in alkaline environments and die in acidic ones. That is why long-term food storage requires a low pH. This is the environment needed to make soy sauce.

Also, soy sauce’s acidity comes from glutamic acid, a soybean amino acid. This acid gives soy sauce its unique flavor.

Health Benefits Of Soy Sauce

Soy sauce contains complex carbohydrates that provide energy for the proper functioning of the digestive system.

Plus, it contains high levels of protein which can help improve the texture of hair and skin. Soy sauce also contains vitamin B12, which helps to maintain healthy blood cells.

Soy sauce is low in calories and contains no fat or cholesterol. It is also an excellent source of soluble fiber, which helps to reduce cholesterol levels in the body.  

The sodium content in soy sauce should be taken into account when consuming large amounts. It has potentially negative effects on blood pressure levels if consumed too frequently over long periods of time.

RELATED: Are Apples Acidic?

What Is Glutamic Acid?

Glutamic acid occurs naturally in foods like soy sauce, fish, and meats. It is often used to add flavor, and studies have shown that it has a number of health benefits, such as:

• Aiding in weight loss by increasing metabolism while reducing appetite
• Improving digestion by breaking food down into smaller pieces that your intestines can absorb more easily
• Helps lower cholesterol levels
• Reduce blood pressure 
• Improve mood disorders like anxiety or depression 
• Help prevent certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer, by lowering estrogen levels

While there are lots of advantages to eating soy sauce, there are some drawbacks, such as the possibility of allergic reactions. If eaten in large amounts for an extended period of time, some people may experience headaches, nausea, and vomiting, as well as high blood pressure.

Uses Of Soy Sauce When Cooking

Soy sauce is a delicious ingredient that can really add a lot of flavor to your cooking. Here are different ways you can use soy sauce when cooking:

1. You can use soy sauce as a marinade for meat or fish, adding it to the meat or fish before you cook it. The soy sauce will help add moisture to the meat and give it a nice, salty taste.
2. You can also use soy sauce in place of salt when sautéing vegetables or making soup. It will give your food a nice salty flavor without overloading calories from sodium, as table salt would do.
3. Add a splash of soy sauce to soups and stews to give them an extra boost of flavor.
4. Mix it with rice vinegar and vegetable oil for a simple dipping sauce for fried foods like chicken nuggets or wings.
5. Drizzle it over roasted vegetables before serving for an extra layer of flavor that’s sure to impress.
6. Use soy sauce in your vegetable stir-fry or noodle soup for added color and flavor.

Different Types Of Soy Sauce

With such a long history and diverse culture, it’s no surprise that soy sauce is as varied as it is delicious. Every variety of soy sauce has its own distinct flavor and texture.

Light Soy Sauce

Light soy sauce is lighter, saltier, and less sweet than dark soy sauce. It’s used more in Asian cooking than dark soy sauce, and it’s made from wheat and soybeans. Light soy is used in marinades, stir-fry sauces, and salad dressings.

Dark Soy Sauce

Dark soy sauce is made with a longer fermentation process than light soy sauce. As such, it has a thicker consistency and a darker color. Dark soy sauce is used in marinades and braised dishes as it adds more flavor to the dish.

Tamari

Tamari is a darker-flavored soy sauce that’s made from wheat and soybeans. It has a richer, deeper color and flavor than light soy sauce, which makes it great for adding to dark-colored foods such as meat, fish, and vegetables.

Tamari is used in Japanese cooking and can be found at many Asian grocery stores or health food stores.

Mushroom Soy Sauce

Mushroom soy sauce is a dark brown, rich-colored sauce that is most often used in Chinese cuisine. It’s made with shiitake mushrooms and has a rich, earthy flavor.

Mushroom soy sauce can be used to enhance the flavor of stir-fries and other dishes. 

The flavor of mushroom soy sauce varies depending on how long it’s aged. The longer it ages, the more intense its flavor will be. 

Sweet Soy Sauce

Sweet soy sauce is a thickened, sweetened version of soy sauce used in Chinese cooking. This type has a similar flavor to regular soy sauce but with more sugar added to it.

This type of sauce makes a good addition to stir-fries and other Asian dishes. The sweetness from the added sugar helps balance out the saltiness from the soy sauce and gives you some extra flavor on top of that.

White Soy Sauce

White soy sauce is made from wheat, so it has a milder flavor than other types of soy sauce. It’s commonly used in Japanese cooking, but you can use white soy sauce in any dish where you would normally use regular soy sauce.

Double-Fermented Soy Sauce

Double-fermented soy sauce is delicious and flavorful. It’s made from a mixture of wheat, beans, and salt that are fermented twice. 

The result is a dark brown sauce that has a slight sweetness and a rich, mellow flavor. Double-fermented soy sauce can be used as a dipping sauce or in cooking.

Tamari As Soy Sauce Substitute

Tamari sauce is a good alkaline soy sauce substitute if you’re looking for a soy sauce substitute that’s not acidic.

It is a traditional soy sauce made from wheat and soybean fermentation. It has a pH of 7.5 when ingested, making it an excellent substitute for those who want to avoid acidic foods.

Tamari is a healthier alternative to soy sauce as it is gluten-free. Plus, it has 18–20% less sodium than soy sauce while still tasting the same.

It is much thicker and has a stronger flavor than regular soy sauce because it has more salt. This makes it perfect for marinades or sauces that need a thicker liquid base.

There are plenty of benefits to using Tamari, such as:

• Lower sodium than regular soy sauce, so it’s a great option for those who want to reduce their salt intake
• Great substitute for regular soy sauce if you’re trying to cut back on your use of processed foods
• Tastes better than other alkaline substitutes like Braggs Liquid Aminos or Nama Shoyu

There are also drawbacks, including:

• harder to find in stores than other soy sauces
• more expensive than regular soy sauce

3 Mouth-Watering Soy Sauce Recipes 

We all enjoy soy sauce, an ingredient made from soybeans, salt, and water. In terms of flavor, soy sauce tastes salty, sweet, and umami.

Aside from its flavor profile, soy has several health benefits. By inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, the sauce provides a higher pH level to prevent spoilage, with a pH level of 4.5 to 5.5.

Although soy sauce is harmful to people with GERD and acid reflux, still, the sauce has a unique and savory taste that works well in many distinctive dishes.

However, you may limit the use of soy sauce in those recipes so that it won’t harm your stomach.

Recipes Made With Soy Sauce

1. Hoisin Sriracha Chicken

If you are a chicken lover, you will love to try Hoisin sriracha chicken recipes. With the help of marinated boneless chicken or debone chicken, the dish comes out delicious with the taste of honey and soy sauce.

The Asian-inspired chicken with Chinese hoisin sauce works fantastic. Hoisin sriracha chicken with ginger, garlic, and honey creates a sweet and savory taste.

So, try this recipe with your next family gathering and impress your family.

Calories: 393 Per Serving

Preparation Time: 35 Minutes

RELATED: Is Mango an Acidic Food? The Truth About Mangoes and Health

2. Easy Saucy Ramen Noodles (Vegan Recipe)

If you are a vegan and love to treat yourself to noodles, you would love this Asian and Chinese-inspired fusion recipe. With a thick and flavored sauce, the ramen noodles bring out the sweet and savory taste in the ramen.

Since it is a ramen noodle recipe then, adding some vegetables such as tofu or mushrooms will make it more filling. Also, the topping of sesame seeds and chopped scallions makes it more enticing to serve guests.

Calories: 401 Per Serving

Preparation Time: 25 Minutes

3. Sweet And Sour Chicken Balls

If you are in the mood for a great Chinese recipe, check out the sweet and sour chicken balls recipes instead of ordering. The coated chicken chunks with a light batter and deep fried make this dish incredibly delicious. 

The sweet and sour soy sauce with these juicy chicken balls brings tremendous flavor. You may serve this dish at a get-together party.

You may try rice as a side dish with these chicken balls. In addition to deep-fried foods such as battered fish, meatballs, and pork belly, soy sauce pairs well with all these foods.

Calories: 555 Per Serving

Preparation Time: 40 Minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is Soy Sauce Acidic?

Soy sauce is naturally acidic because it’s made from fermented soybeans. The fermentation process involves bacteria and yeast, which create lactic acid to help break down the soybeans.

Can You Reduce The Acidity Of Soy Sauce When Cooked?

Small amounts of baking soda can be used to reduce acidity when cooking food, even when using soy sauce.

You can keep adding it until the tart taste of the food is gone, but be sure to taste the food often so that the baking soda doesn’t take over the taste of the meal.

Does Soy Sauce Trigger Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux is often caused by the high amount of sodium in soy sauce. If you use soy sauce often in your cooking, you may increase your chances of getting GERD symptoms.

Those who have heartburn or acid reflux should stay away from soy sauce and any other foods high in sodium until their symptoms get better.

Is Soy Sauce Acidic?

What are the effects of acids on soya sauce? Is it acidic? Learn more here and see what the science has to say.

Ingredients

• Hoisin Sriracha Chicken

• Easy Saucy Ramen Noodles (Vegan Recipe)

• Sweet And Sour Chicken Balls

Directions

• Pick a recipe from the list above
• Click the recipe name and visit the website
• Collect the ingredients and cook the food
• Enjoy – don’t forget to leave a review

Recipe Video

• Author
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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!

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