Easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

This easy teriyaki sauce is so much better than store-bought options. Using a few pantry staples, you can make your own version in no time!

Most of us know that sometimes homemade is just better. And this couldn't be more true for teriyaki sauce! Store-bought options can be convenient, but you don't have control over the ingredients or the flavor. With this easy teriyaki sauce recipe, you can customize it to your liking and know exactly what is going into it. Plus, it only takes a few minutes to make!

I've tried this sauce on everything from chicken wings to steak, and it never disappoints. The combination of sweet and savory flavors adds a burst of flavor to any dish!

What is Teriyaki Sauce?

Teriyaki sauce is a condiment that originates from Japan. It's known for its distinctive sweet and savory flavor and glossy appearance. The word teriyaki actually comes from the Japanese words "teri," meaning luster, and "yaki," meaning grilled or broiled. This refers to the method of cooking teriyaki dishes – grilling or broiling after being marinated in the sauce.

Traditionally, teriyaki sauce is made by simmering soy sauce, sake or mirin (a type of sweet rice wine), and sugar together. There are many variations of the original recipe, but the core ingredients of soy sauce and sugar remain the same.

What's so good about this sauce is its ability to pair with many different foods. You can use it to marinade meat, as a dip, or to glaze roasted veggies!

Why You'll Love This Easy Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

• Tastes amazing. Unless you've had teriyaki sauce before, there's no explaining how delicious it is. It's sweet, it’s salty, and oh-so-yummy! The added spices and smooth honey take this recipe over the edge.
• Uses pantry staples. Who wants to buy ingredients just to use in one recipe? Not me, that's for sure. You probably have everything you need to make this recipe right at home!
• Pairs with so many dishes. Veggies? Chicken? Noodles? Rice? Seriously, this sauce goes with everything. You'll quickly find yourself using it on all your favorite dishes.

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce Ingredients

• Cornstarch slurry: Made with water and cornstarch, this will help to thicken the sauce into the perfect consistency.
• Garlic: Adding a great aroma and flavor is minced garlic. You can use fresh minced garlic or store-bought.
• Ginger: To give us a great Asian-infused flavor, adding dried ginger or ground ginger will really help to flavor our sauce.
• Water: You will need some additional water to help add enough liquid into the mix to make an actual sauce.
• Soy sauce: This will really help to give us a great depth of flavor.
• Brown sugar: Adding a little sweetness and caramelization into the mixture.
• Honey: You will need to use some honey to help add in more sweetness and a nice thickness to the sauce that works wonderfully.

How to make this Easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

• In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup of water and your cornstarch until it’s mixed into a slurry. 
• In a saucepan, combine your cornstarch slurry with garlic, ginger, the remaining water, soy sauce, brown sugar, and honey. Whisk together well.
• Bring the mixture to a simmer and allow it to simmer until the sauce has been thickened. This should take about 4 minutes.
• Let the sauce cool before using. The recipe should make about 1 point in total.

Teriyaki Sauce Recipe Easy Tips

Here are some tips to make your teriyaki sauce perfect for every dish:

• Monitor the salt content by using a low-sodium option. Soy sauce will be salty no matter what; it's just the nature of the ingredient. Look for low-sodium options at the grocery store.
• Add more or less sugar and honey to alter the overall sweetness of the sauce.
• If you don't have honey or don't want to use it, you can make a simple switch. Using Agave or Maple Syrup can give you similar and just as tasty results.
• Adjust the amount of water or cornstarch used to change the thickness of the sauce. A thicker sauce is good for dipping, while a thinner one works better as a marinade.
• Mix up the spices to create different flavor profiles. Chilli flakes would be a great addition if you want a spicier sauce.

How to thicken Teriyaki Sauce

Cornstarch is the go-to for thickening teriyaki sauce! One of the first steps in this recipe is to make a cornstarch slurry. The slurry ensures a smooth and consistent thickening of the sauce.

If you want your sauce even thicker, you can just make another cornstarch mixture. Then, slowly add a little into the teriyaki sauce at a time. Give it a minute or two between each addition to see how much it has thickened.

You can also leave the sauce to simmer for a little longer, which can also help it to thicken.

Ways to Use This Easy Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

You can use teriyaki sauce for just about anything you can imagine. Here are some ideas:

• Chicken wings
• Grilled salmon
• Noodles
• Stir fry
• Brown or white rice
• Steak - flat iron steak or reverse seared steak would work great!
• As a dipping sauce

If you think it could taste great with a little sweet and savory flavor profile, then you are probably right! Let me know in the comments below how you chose to use your homemade teriyaki sauce!

Storing this Homemade Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

How long does homemade teriyaki sauce last?

This homemade sauce should last about 2-3 weeks if properly stored in the fridge meaning that you can have plenty of time to use it up! I like to keep mine stored in a mason jar with a fitted lid because it’s nice and airtight and it’s also easy to pour out what I want to use when needed.

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce Recipe FAQs

If you're looking for another amazing, homemade sauce, check out this Buffalo Sauce from Savory Experiments!