An easy homemade teriyaki sauce recipe made from pantry staples. This sauce is bold and thick and is great as a marinade or as a sauce served with your favorite meats or vegetables.
In the mood for teriyaki? Make up a batch of this sauce and then use it to make Teriyaki Chicken Pizza or Bacon Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers!
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce Recipe
There are lots of things I used to never considered making before, turning instead to the conveniently bottled versions. Salad dressings, mayonnaise, etc. Some of them I still buy bottled – mayonnaise – and some I make from scratch at home – salad dressings. One of these condiments that I love to make from scratch is homemade Teriyaki sauce. It is so super easy and good, it made me wonder why I ever bought the store bought kind!
This homemade teriyaki sauce recipe only takes minutes to make, and tastes a lot better than the jarred sauce. This sauce is great just served as a sauce alongside your favorite meats as well as a marinade. I love that it is so versatile!
Ingredients
- Brown Sugar: I use light brown sugar. You could also up the amount of honey, but I think they both bring in different flavors, so I like to use both.
- Soy Sauce: I always use low sodium soy sauce. You could also use tamari.
- Honey: If you like the sauce sweeter, use 2 tablespoons, otherwise just use one.
- Garlic: I always have fresh garlic on hand, so I like to use fresh. You could sub in garlic powder. If you do, you’ll need about 1/4 teaspoon.
- Ginger: I don’t always have fresh ginger on hand, so that is why I use ground ginger. Feel free to use fresh if you do have it, though. You’ll need 1-2 tablespoons of fresh ginger if you do sub.
- Cornstarch: This is what will thicken up your sauce. The sauce will get decently thick, so if you prefer a thinner sauce, feel free to cut this amount in half.
How to Make Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
It really doesn’t get much easier than this recipe!
1: Start by combining all of your ingredients except the cornstarch and 1/4 cup of water. Whisk to combine, and set over medium heat.
2: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and the 1/4 cup water.
3: Pour the cornstarch mixture into the saucepan.
4: Cook, whisking, until the sauce thickens.
How to Use This Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
This homemade teriyaki sauce makes a thicker sauce that the bottled sauce, so it would be good served on top of something, but I have also used it as a marinade. If you don’t want it thick as a marinade you can skip adding the cornstarch and extra water.
Here are some of my favorite ways to use this sauce:
- As sauce with grilled chicken
- Add it to chicken pieces and broccoli and serve over rice
- As a glaze for salmon
- Mixed into noodles
- In any stir fry
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce Video
If you want to watch how this teriyaki sauce is made, watch the video above.
Storage
I usually make this teriyaki sauce when I need it, but it’s also great to just have on hand for an easy dinner.
I store it in a mason jar in the refrigerator. I will usually try to go through it in a week or less, but really, it should be good for 2-3 weeks if stored properly.
I have not tried to freeze this, although I’m assuming it would freeze well.
More Asian Inspired Recipes
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Mongolian Beef
General Tso Chicken
Orange Chicken
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Kung Pao Chicken
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Homemade Teriyaki Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup (8 oz) water
- 5 tablespoons (67 g) packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (2 oz) low sodium soy sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons honey
- 1 large clove garlic ,minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup (2 oz) cold water
Instructions
- Combine the 1 cup water, brown sugar, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger in a medium saucepan and set over medium heat.
- In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch with the 1/4 cup water and whisk until dissolved. Add the cornstarch mixture to the saucepan.
- Heat the sauce until it thickens to your desired thickness. If the sauce becomes too thick, add more water to thin it out.
Patricia Scarpin says
That looks fingerlicking, Deb!
kellypea says
I haven’t had teriyaki in a while, but was scanning the bottles in Whole Foods yesterday, looking at the combos. I’m right with you on the “make your own” and have gotten into the habit of checking out the descriptions on the labels of bottles in the store to get new ideas. Yours sounds yummy. Especially in the weather we’re having. Great for the BBQ.
I’ve tagged you, so check out my Bloggarooni…=)
Janet says
That chicken looks very succulent. Great recipe!
Kristen says
I love teriyaki chicken…I think I’ll make this this week. I have fresh pineapple and just the ingredients on hand! Yum!
valentina says
We seem to be very similar in taht there are loads of things that I do not buy ready. I just went through the list of the ingredients for the teriyaki sauce and it does seem pretty simple. I will try to make it as well – got encouraged by your post.
Cynthia says
Congrats! you’re now making your own teriyaki sauce, I’ll definitely try your recipe. Your dinner sounds really filling and not fussy at all. I like that.
Amy says
I also recently started making my own teriyaki sauce and couldn’t believe how easy it was!
Orchidea says
I posted the same recipe today… this was the first time I tried Teriyaki chicken but I did not do it from scrach like you.
Nice recipe.
Ciao.
JennDZ - The Leftover Queen says
That looks beautiful! Nice job on making your own teriyaki sauce!
Kelly-Jane says
Oh I know that would be so good!
Mandy says
I can just imagine how delicious the meal must be!
vincent says
My family and I love Teriyaki Chicken. Thanks for the variation. I’m sure we’ll try it out very soon.
One side dish that we typically add is
grilled jalapeno peppers. Delicious!
The kids can handle them since most of the spice is grilled out.
Nani says
I suggest going with fresh ginger. It is no more difficult than chopping up garlic, and the flavor payoff is worth it.
Jerry Silven says
I agree, fresh ginger makes all the difference. I also add a couple of Tbl. of apple cider vinegar for added flavor plus it tenderizes the meat.
Stefanie Hewitt says
I used a small shredder to get the ginger and garlic even smaller and it was perfect.
Valli says
Wow this sounds so good and easy to prepare as well. I would have never thought to make my own teriyaki. Kudos!!!
Stephanie Sweetman says
I made this and it is delicious, I did tweak it just a bit by adding a bit of sesame oil.
Scott Power says
I didn’t expect much as I’m used to store bought teriyaki sauce, but this is really tasty! I usually use just less of the honey as I find it quite sweet. 10/10
Elle says
Sounds like a great recipe for teriyaki…I should make my own, too.
KJ says
This is great. I prefer not to rely on bottled or ready made foods if I can help it. If I make it myself I know what’s in it.
However, it would never occur to me to make my own teriyaki sauce. Thanks for sharing this.
Lisa Maraszek says
I’m right there you! Wish I’d been making these “normal sauces” all along. As a Grandma, I have more time, and once I started doing so, (7 years ago) there’s no turning back. You can actually TASTE the additives and preservatives, and I can’t settle (unless I have no choice).
Kristal says
This sounds really good. I was starting my hunt for weekend dinner ideas and this popped up! Thanks !
Ryan Tatoosh says
How’d it turn out ?
Rosalind Watson says
I made it & it turned out perfectly. A new staple in my home!!!
Lisa Maraszek says
I love making my own sauces! No more jarred sauces for this girl!! The difference in taste makes it so worth it, so thank your for a title that made it an easy pick. I might lessen the amount of brown sugar next time, but hubby was in heaven. (He’s a big sauce guy).