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Homemade Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

4.4 from 123 reviews

A simple and flavorful homemade teriyaki sauce that combines savory soy sauce, sweet brown sugar and honey, fresh garlic and ginger, and a hint of sesame and rice vinegar. Perfect for glazing meats, drizzling over vegetables, or as a dipping sauce, this teriyaki sauce is easy to make on the stovetop and thickens to a rich, glossy finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Teriyaki Sauce Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 tbsp fresh ginger, minced or grated
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1/4 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the cornstarch slurry: In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1/2 cup of water. Stir until fully dissolved. This slurry will help thicken the sauce later.
  2. Combine ingredients in saucepan: In a medium saucepan, pour in 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 tablespoon fresh grated ginger, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil, and 1 tablespoon rice vinegar. Add the cornstarch and water mixture into the saucepan as well.
  3. Simmer and thicken: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently to mix the ingredients thoroughly and prevent sticking. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens and darkens to a rich brown color, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat and serve: Once thickened, promptly remove the saucepan from heat to avoid overcooking or burning. Use the teriyaki sauce immediately as a glaze, marinade, or dipping sauce, or allow to cool and store for later use.

Notes

  • Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar and honey to taste.
  • For a gluten-free version, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.
  • Fresh ginger adds brightness but ground ginger can be substituted in a pinch.
  • This sauce thickens as it cools; reheat gently with a splash of water to loosen if necessary.
  • Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Keywords: teriyaki sauce, homemade teriyaki, Japanese sauce, soy sauce glaze, easy teriyaki recipe