Homemade teriyaki sauce is a quick, easy, and delicious way to upgrade any meal. Made with pantry staples in just 5 minutes, you can literally make this vegan sauce at the last minute to add sweet and salty umami flavor to any meal. Serve it as a dipping sauce or drizzle it over chicken, fish, beef, tofu, and veggies.
Why You’ll Love Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
- Made with pantry staples. Since most of the ingredients in this homemade teriyaki sauce live in your pantry, this is a great last-minute addition to any meal. The only fresh ingredients you’ll need are garlic and ginger, which are also staples that last in your cupboards or kitchen counter for weeks.
- It’s quick and easy. This is the fastest sauce ever, and one that you can throw together at the last minute. When I say last minute, I mean it. In the last five minutes of cooking and meal, you can whip up homemade teriyaki sauce for a tasty dipping sauce or dressing.
- Bold teriyaki flavor. Teriyaki is a great flavor because it has everything you want: umami, spice, sweetness, saltiness. With soy sauce, sugar, honey, garlic, ginger, and more, this homemade teriyaki sauce will delight your tastebuds.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make this easy homemade teriyaki sauce, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in the recipe card below):
- soy sauce
- brown sugar - you can also substitute this with honey.
- ginger
- garlic
- sesame oil
- black vinegar
- water
- cornstarch - this ingredient is a must and thickens up the teriyaki sauce to the right consistency (similar consistency to maple syrup). I would not recommend flour or baking soda as substitutes.
I love adding a dash of spice to everything. If you want to turn up the heat, consider adding: red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, sriracha hot sauce, or gochujang.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowl, and shallow saucepan or skillet.
How to Make the Best Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
- Combine ingredients. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients until smooth, and the sugar and cornstarch are fully dissolved.
- Cook. Add the sauce to a shallow saucepan or skillet and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until simmering and thickened to a desired consistency, stirring constantly.
- Cool. Serve warm or cooled over meat, seafood, stir fried vegetables, rice, noodles, grilled skewers, and more.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- How to serve: The best way to eat this homemade teriyaki sauce is to drizzle over meat, seafood, and veggies, serve as a dipping sauce, or as a garnish. You can serve it warm, at room temperature, or cold. Be mindful if reheating it with meats or veggies (like a marinade) since the sugars can burn easily. You may want to add a splash of water when reheating to keep it from drying out.
- How to store: Once cooled to room temperature, store homemade teriyaki sauce in a mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
More Sauce Recipes
- Sweet Chili Sauce
- Tahini Sauce
- Homemade Enchilada Sauce
- Buffalo Sauce
- Homemade Applesauce
- Salted Caramel Sauce
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Recipe
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
- Total Time: 10 minutes.
- Yield: ½ cup
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Homemade teriyaki sauce is a quick, easy, and delicious way to upgrade any meal the best sweet and salty umami flavor, made in just 5 minutes!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon black vinegar (or mirin)
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients until smooth, and the sugar and cornstarch are fully dissolved.
- Add the sauce to a shallow saucepan or skillet and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until simmering and thickened to a desired consistency, stirring constantly.
- Serve warm or cooled over meat, seafood, stir fried vegetables, rice, noodles, grilled skewers, and more.
Notes
How to serve: The best way to eat this homemade teriyaki sauce is to drizzle over meat, seafood, and veggies, serve as a dipping sauce, or as a garnish. You can serve it warm, at room temperature, or cold. Be mindful if reheating it with meats or veggies (like a marinade) since the sugars can burn easily. You may want to add a splash of water when reheating to keep it from drying out.
Make it spicy: I love adding a dash of spice to everything. If you want to turn up the heat, consider adding: red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, sriracha hot sauce, or gochujang.
How to store: Once cooled to room temperature, store homemade teriyaki sauce in a mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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Pat A. says
The homemade teriyaki sauce is a difference maker. Just the right amount of thickness to cling to the meatballs. Other recipes I've tried result in a sauce that's too runny. Well done!
Pat says
This was excellent and incredibly easy. Thanks for the great recipe!