This sweet, savory, and glossy teriyaki sauce features soy sauce, mirin, sake and seasoned with garlic, ginger, and brown sugar. We use this recipe almost weekly because it is quick, easy, and delicious.

You can double or triple this teriyaki sauce recipe and use it for a marinade for chicken or salmon, a glaze, or a dipping sauce for your dumplings or vegetables.

Ingredients

• Ginger and Garlic: freshly grated garlic and ginger add a rich aromatic punch.
• Soy Sauce: is the base ingredient that gives teriyaki sauce it deep brown, salty, umami flavor.
• Mirin: or Japanese rice wine is sweet, and tangy and adds a complex umami flavor.
• Sake: another Japanese rice wine adds another sweet umami flavor that tenderizes meats. Be sure to use cooking sake instead of drinking sake for a lower alcohol content.
• Brown Sugar: sweetens the sauce while also giving nice caramel notes.
• Cornstarch and water: form a cornstarch slurry that thickens the sauce and creates a thick brown glossy texture.
• Sesame Oil: adds a hint of nutty umami flavor and a silky texture.
• Toasted sesame seeds: are optional but add an extra nuttiness and texture.

Substitutions and Additions

Substitutions

• Soy sauce alternative: tamari, coconut aminos, low sodium soy sauce.
• Aji Mirin: is an alternative to regular mirin.
• Sweetener: instead of brown sugar, you can alternatively use regular sugar, honey, maple syrup, agave, or your sweetener of choice.

Additions

• Pineapple juice: creates a sweet Hawaiian-style teriyaki.
• Spice: red pepper flakes, chili oil, or sriracha for a spicy kick.
• Green onion: adds extra fresh, herbal aromatic flavor.

How to Make Teriyaki Sauce

Here are the step-by-step photo instructions for this homemade teriyaki sauce. See the recipe card below for full measurements and instructions.

1. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil ginger, and garlic. Saute for about 45 seconds or until fragrant.

2. Then add the soy sauce, mirin, sake, and brown sugar. Mix until the sugar has dissolved. Lower the temperature to medium-low and simmer for at least 5 minutes.

3. In a small bowl, mix together cornstarch and water until dissolved. Then add the cornstarch slurry and mix until the sauce has thickened.

4. Turn off the heat, add the sesame oil and sesame seeds, and mix until combined.

Storage Instructions

You can store this homemade teriyaki sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Freeze: you can also freeze teriyaki sauce in a freezer-safe container once it has cooled to room temperature in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and serving.

Pairing Suggestions

Teriyaki sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used with just about anything.

• As a marinade for your air fryer teriyaki salmon, chicken, or beef.
• As a glaze for teriyaki tofu, or Japanese hotdog.
• As a dipping sauce for your pork and chive dumplings or pork and cabbage dumplings.

FAQ

What is teriyaki sauce made of?

This teriyaki sauce recipe consists of ginger, garlic, soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, cornstarch and sesame oil.

Is teriyaki sauce gluten-free?

No, soy sauce typically contains gluten because they are made with wheat. However, you can make your teriyaki sauce gluten-free by using tamari or any other gluten-free soy sauce.

What does teriyaki sauce taste like?

Teriyaki sauce has a salty umami from the soy sauce and a sweet tangy flavor from the brown sugar, mirin, and sake. It also has rich aromatic notes from the garlic and ginger and a nutty umami finish from the sesame oil.

Teriyaki Sauce Recipe