Homemade Teriyaki Sauce (Sweet, Savory, and Versatile!)

This Homemade Teriyaki Sauce is a game-changer! It’s so much better than store-bought versions, with a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and umami flavors. I love how easy this recipe is to make, using simple pantry ingredients, and it’s incredibly versatile. Use it as a marinade, a glaze, a dipping sauce, or a stir-fry sauce – the possibilities are endless! Get ready to elevate your cooking with this delicious and easy homemade teriyaki sauce.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

• Better Than Store-Bought: Homemade teriyaki sauce is far superior to store-bought versions, with a fresher, more vibrant flavor.
• Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and comes together quickly on the stovetop.
• Customizable: You can adjust the sweetness, saltiness, and thickness to your liking.
• Versatile: Use it as a marinade, glaze, dipping sauce, or stir-fry sauce.
• No Preservatives or Additives: You control the ingredients, so you know exactly what’s going into your sauce.

Ingredients for Teriyaki Sauce

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious sauce. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Main Ingredients

• Water (Liquid)
• Soy sauce (Condiment)
• Cornstarch (Thickener)
• Garlic clove, minced (Aromatic)
• Fresh ginger, minced/grated (Aromatic)
• Brown sugar (Sweetener)
• Honey (Sweetener)
• Sesame oil (Flavoring)
• Rice vinegar (Acid)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love this Teriyaki Sauce as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:

• Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce.
• Add Pineapple Juice: Substitute some of the water with pineapple juice for a sweeter, more tropical flavor.
• Use Mirin: Add a tablespoon of mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine) for extra depth of flavor.
• Add Sake: Add a tablespoon of sake (Japanese rice wine) for a more authentic flavor.

How to Make Teriyaki Sauce

Let me show you how easy it is to make this Homemade Teriyaki Sauce:

Combine Cornstarch and Water

1. I combine the cornstarch and water in a small bowl. I stir until smooth, and set it aside.

Combine Ingredients in Saucepan

1. In a medium saucepan, I add the remaining ingredients along with the cornstarch/water mixture: soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, brown sugar, honey, sesame oil, and rice vinegar.

Simmer and Thicken

1. Stirring frequently, I bring the sauce to a simmer over medium-high heat.
2. I cook until the sauce thickens and turns a rich, dark brown color.

Remove from Heat and Serve

1. Once the sauce has thickened up to my desired consistency, I remove it from the heat immediately.
2. And serve

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Teriyaki Sauce

Here are my secrets for making this sauce truly exceptional:

• Use Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Low-sodium soy sauce allows you to control the saltiness of the sauce.
• Fresh Ginger and Garlic: Freshly grated ginger and minced garlic have the best flavor.
• Adjust Sweetness: Taste the sauce and adjust the amount of brown sugar and honey to your liking.
• Don’t Overcook: Cook the sauce just until it thickens. Overcooking can make it too thick or sticky.
• Strain (Optional): For an extra-smooth sauce, you can strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any solids.

How to Use Teriyaki Sauce

This Homemade Teriyaki Sauce is incredibly versatile. Here are a few ideas:

• Marinade: Use it as a marinade for chicken, beef, pork, salmon, or tofu.
• Glaze: Brush it over grilled or baked meats, seafood, or vegetables during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Dipping Sauce: Serve it as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, dumplings, or chicken wings.
• Stir-Fry Sauce: Use it as a sauce for stir-fries.
• Noodle Sauce: Toss it with cooked noodles for a quick and easy meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

You can make this teriyaki sauce ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

FAQs about Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

• Can I make this without the honey?
  • Yes, you can substitute the honey with more brown sugar or maple syrup.
• Can I make this gluten-free?
  • Use tamari instead of soy sauce and make sure your other ingredients are gluten-free.
• My sauce is too thick/thin. What should I do?
  • If the sauce is too thick, add a little more water or broth. If it’s too thin, simmer it for a few more minutes to reduce it further.

Enjoy this flavorful, versatile, and easy-to-make Homemade Teriyaki Sauce! It’s a perfect way to add a delicious Asian-inspired touch to your meals.

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

• Author: Caoimhe Byrne
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 1 cup of sauce 1x
• Category: Sauce
• Method: Asian-Inspired

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Description

This easy homemade Teriyaki Sauce is a versatile and flavorful sauce perfect for stir-fries, marinades, glazes, and dipping. It combines the classic flavors of soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, garlic, and ginger with a touch of sesame oil and rice vinegar for balance.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced or grated
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

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Instructions

• Make Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and the water until the cornstarch is completely dissolved and there are no lumps. This is your cornstarch slurry, which will thicken the sauce. Set aside.
• Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and rice vinegar.
• Add Cornstarch Slurry: Add the cornstarch slurry to the saucepan with the other ingredients. Whisk everything together until well combined.
• Simmer and Thicken: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and turns a darker brown color, about 3-5 minutes. The sauce will thicken more as it cools.
• Remove from Heat: Once the sauce has reached your desired thickness, remove the saucepan from the heat immediately.
• Serve

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Notes

• Soy Sauce: Low-sodium soy sauce is recommended to control the saltiness of the sauce. You can use regular soy sauce, but you may want to reduce the amount slightly.
• Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar is recommended, but you can use dark brown sugar for a richer molasses flavor.
• Honey: You can adjust the amount of honey to your preference.
• Ginger: Freshly grated ginger is preferred for the best flavor, but you can substitute 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger if needed.
• Sesame Oil: Toasted sesame oil adds a rich, nutty flavor.
• Rice Vinegar: Rice vinegar adds a subtle tanginess. You can substitute apple cider vinegar or white vinegar in a pinch.
• Cornstarch Slurry: Make sure to whisk the cornstarch and water together thoroughly before adding it to the sauce to prevent lumps.
• Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, simmer for a few more minutes to reduce it further.
• Serving Suggestions: This teriyaki sauce is delicious as a marinade for chicken, beef, pork, or tofu. It’s also great as a stir-fry sauce, a dipping sauce for dumplings or spring rolls, or a glaze for grilled meats or vegetables.
• Storage: Store leftover teriyaki sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.