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Teriyaki Sauce is super easy, takes only 10 minutes to make and is way better than store-bought! Made with simple ingredients, this is going to become a staple for your kitchen.

Making your own sauces is way easier and cheaper than you think. Try these other homemade sauces that you are going to love like this Homemade Fry Sauce , this classic Cheese Sauce, and this easy Yum Yum Sauce!

Spooning teriyaki sauce out of jar. Spooning teriyaki sauce out of jar.

Reason’s You’ll Love This Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

  • It’s EASY (takes less than 10 minutes): Homemade is always better than store-bought but sometimes, that comes at the cost of time! Not with this recipe! It comes together in less than 10 minutes and it’s packed with so much flavor.
  • It’s FRESH: Store-bought sauces and seasonings are so handy but they can lost their flavor. Making this fresh means that all of your meals will be elevated.
  • You can MAKE IT AHEAD OF TIME: Yep, you read that right. Go ahead and make this when you need it and store it in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Ingredients in Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

Using fresh garlic and ginger is key here, it will create the best flavor in this teriyaki sauce. It’s tangy, thick and full of a perfect blend of sweet and spice. Find the list of measurements for each ingredient located in the recipe card below.

  • Low sodium soy sauce: I love using low sodium because it still has all the flavor and is better for the heart.
  • Brown sugar: You can use either dark or light brown sugar in this recipe with excellent results.
  • Apple cider vinegar: This gives it a bit of tang that is custom in teriyaki sauce.
  • Garlic cloves minced: You will want to use fresh garlic not jarred or powder. It will give you the best flavor this way.
  • Sesame oil: Look for sesame oil near the olive and canola oils. It can also be found near the bottles of vinegar.
  • Freshly grated ginger: Fresh ginger looks like a root, it is covered in a tough outer skin that’s brown and can be found in the produce section of the store.
  • Water: You will want to use cold water to mix better with the cornstarch.
  • Cornstarch: This will thicken the sauce to the most ideal consistency.

How to Grate Ginger

Use a knife to peel back as much ginger as you need. Using the smallest holes of a cheese grater, grate the ginger. You can also use a zester to grate the ginger. To preserve the rest of the ginger for another use, only peel as much as you need. Cover the peeled end tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge.

Ingredients laid out individually on the counter and labeled. Ingredients laid out individually on the counter and labeled.

How to Make Teriyaki Sauce

Just heat, stir and serve and you have the best teriyaki sauce that is going to be awesome! It is quick and easy to make, plus will store well for you to use your homemade sauce over and over again.

  1. Heat: In a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, and ginger. Heat it to a simmer.
  2. Thicken: In a small bowl whisk together the water and cornstarch. Slowly whisk into the saucepan. Whisk the sauce constantly until it starts to thicken.
  3. Enjoy: Remove from heat and cool.
Teriyaki sauce ingredients in a sauce pan. Teriyaki sauce ingredients in a sauce pan.
To a saucepan, add ingredients and heat it to a simmer.
Cornstarch being added to a saucepan with teriyaki sauce. Cornstarch being added to a saucepan with teriyaki sauce.
Whisk together the water and cornstarch slurry then add it to the saucepan.
A sauce pan with teriyaki sauce and a whisk. A sauce pan with teriyaki sauce and a whisk.
Whisk the sauce constantly over medium heat until it starts to thicken.

How to Use Teriyaki Sauce as a Marinade

Teriyaki Sauce can be used in many different ways. You can use it as a marinade, salad dressing, and topping for all sorts of dishes. We love to use this sauce on simple stir fry, as the sauce for slow cooker chicken and to top salads. It also makes a great dipping sauce for your Egg Rolls and Pot Stickers! YUM! Use this incredible sauce whenever you need a great sauce to accompany an already wonderful meal. Here are more scrumptious recipes to use this homemade teriyaki sauce with.

Tips

This teriyaki sauce is the perfect combination of salty, sweet, spicy and savory! Try these extra tips for the best flavor!

  • Make teriyaki sauce gluten-free: Look for gluten-free soy sauce and you have a luscious gluten-free sauce that will taste amazing.
  • Substitute the sugar: You can trade out the brown sugar for honey or maple syrup if you desire. The honey and maple syrup will change the consistency and taste just a bit. So adapt the other ingredients as needed. You may need to add a bit more cornstarch slurry to thicken it as desired.
  • Brown Sugar: Light and dark brown sugar work great in this recipe. The dark brown sugar will give the sauce a deeper flavor.

Scooping out a spoonful of teriyaki sauce from the jar. Scooping out a spoonful of teriyaki sauce from the jar.

How to Store Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

Use the homemade sauce immediately as needed or store it in a tightly sealed jar for up to two weeks. This teriyaki sauce is perfect to make ahead as the flavors actually meld together and the teriyaki sauce gets better with time.

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  • In a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, and ginger. Heat over medium-high heat and bring it to a simmer.

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the water and cornstarch then add it into the saucepan. Whisk the sauce constantly until it starts to thicken.

  • Remove from heat and cool. Use the homemade sauce immediately as needed or store it in a tightly sealed jar for up to two weeks.

Originally Posted on June 18, 2021
Updated on April 29, 2024

Calories: 735kcalCarbohydrates: 155gProtein: 14gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 8538mgPotassium: 664mgFiber: 2gSugar: 111gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 155mgIron: 6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.