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    Home » Sauce » Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

    Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

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    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.

    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! | aheadofthyme.com

    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.
    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! | aheadofthyme.com

    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.

    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! | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Make the Best Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

    1. Combine ingredients. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients until smooth, and the sugar and cornstarch are fully dissolved.
    2. 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.
    3. Cool. Serve warm or cooled over meat, seafood, stir fried vegetables, rice, noodles, grilled skewers, and more.
    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! | aheadofthyme.com

    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.
    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! | aheadofthyme.com

    More Sauce Recipes

    • Sweet Chili Sauce
    • Tahini Sauce
    • Homemade Enchilada Sauce
    • Buffalo Sauce
    • Homemade Applesauce
    • Salted Caramel Sauce

    Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

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    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! | aheadofthyme.com

    Homemade Teriyaki Sauce


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 2 reviews

    • Author: Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme
    • Total Time: 10 minutes.
    • Yield: ½ cup
    • Diet: Vegan
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    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

    1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients until smooth, and the sugar and cornstarch are fully dissolved.
    2. 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.
    3. 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

    Did you make this recipe?

    I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

    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! | aheadofthyme.com
    Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pat A. says

      February 04, 2025 at 11:38 am

      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!

      Reply
    2. Pat says

      December 27, 2024 at 2:35 pm

      This was excellent and incredibly easy. Thanks for the great recipe!

      Reply

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