BEST Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

This is honestly my all-time BEST Teriyaki Sauce Recipe—rich, glossy, and perfectly balanced between salty, sweet, and a subtle zing of fresh ginger. It’s shockingly easy to whip up at home and leagues tastier than anything from a bottle. Whether you’re drizzling it over a steaming bowl of rice, tossing it with stir-fries, or marinating your favorite protein, this sauce is your new kitchen secret weapon.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Incredibly Flavorful: Every spoonful explodes with layers of umami, caramelized brown sugar, zippy ginger, and savory tamari.
  • Super Versatile: Use it as a marinade, glaze, dip, or stir-fry sauce—the possibilities with this teriyaki sauce are endless.
  • Quick & Effortless: You’ll need just 10 minutes, one pot, and zero fancy cooking skills to have a fresh batch ready.
  • Better For You: Customizable sweetness and sodium levels mean you get all the flavor with less guilt than store-bought sauces.
BEST Teriyaki Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This BEST Teriyaki Sauce Recipe is all about a handful of simple, impactful ingredients working together in harmony. Each one adds its own special note—whether it’s deep umami, sweet complexity, or that unmistakable teriyaki sheen.

  • Tamari: A gluten-free soy sauce alternative with richer flavor and less sodium, but you can substitute low-sodium soy sauce if you prefer.
  • Brown Sugar: Gives the sauce its signature sweetness and hints of caramel depth; try a brown sugar alternative for a lower-sugar option.
  • Fresh Ginger (minced): Essential for that subtle tingle and warmth that makes teriyaki pop!
  • Garlic (minced): Adds aromatic punch and rounds out the umami experience.
  • Honey: Enhances sweetness and gives the sauce extra gloss—swap for agave or your favorite vegan sweetener if you want to keep it plant-based.
  • Sesame Oil: Just a teaspoon infuses the whole batch with nutty fragrance and depth.
  • Mirin: Sweet Japanese rice wine that deepens the flavor—sherry with a pinch of sugar can stand in if you’re out.
  • Cornstarch & Water: Mixed to make a slurry for thickening—this step is what transforms your sauce from runny to luscious.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

The beauty of this BEST Teriyaki Sauce Recipe is how easy it is to tailor to your cravings or pantry—switch up the sweeteners, swap in different aromatics, or make it totally vegan! Don’t be afraid to get creative or adjust for dietary needs.

  • Low Sugar Version: Swap brown sugar for a monk fruit blend or half the quantity of coconut sugar for a lighter, less sweet sauce.
  • Gluten-Free: Stick with tamari and be sure your mirin is certified gluten-free.
  • Vegan-Friendly: Use agave or maple syrup in place of honey for a delicious, fully plant-based sauce.
  • Extra Garlic Lovers: Double the minced garlic for a bolder, more savory punch.
  • Spicy Teriyaki: Add a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you love some heat!

How to Make BEST Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Gather & Prepare Your Ingredients

Start by measuring everything out—it makes the process a breeze and your sauce will come together in minutes. Mince your ginger and garlic nice and fine for the best flavor infusion.

Step 2: Combine & Simmer

In a small saucepan, whisk together tamari (or soy sauce), brown sugar, ginger, garlic, honey, sesame oil, and mirin. Turn the heat to medium and let everything come to a gentle boil—this is where the flavors start to meld and the kitchen smells amazing!

Step 3: Thicken the Sauce

Mix your cornstarch with water in a small bowl to form a smooth slurry. While the sauce is simmering, slowly pour in the slurry while stirring constantly. Keep stirring for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and gets that glossy, restaurant-worthy look.

Step 4: Cool & Store

Remove the pan from the heat and let your BEST Teriyaki Sauce cool before transferring it to a clean jar or bottle. It’ll thicken up even more as it cools! Pop it in the fridge and you’ve got flavor on demand all week long.

Pro Tips for Making BEST Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

  • Ultra-Smooth Consistency: Always dissolve your cornstarch fully in cold water before adding so you avoid any lumps in your finished sauce.
  • Brighter Flavor: Add the ginger and garlic after the sauce comes to a simmer for extra freshness, especially if you love those flavors to shine.
  • Salt Control: Taste your sauce before thickening—if using regular soy sauce instead of tamari, consider starting with a bit less and adding more to taste.
  • Double Batch Secret: This BEST Teriyaki Sauce Recipe freezes beautifully, so make a double batch and never be caught without a quick dinner upgrade!

How to Serve BEST Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

BEST Teriyaki Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or a handful of thinly sliced green onions brings out the flavors in the sauce and adds color to your dish—just scatter them on top right before serving for restaurant-style flair.

Side Dishes

Teriyaki perfection truly shines with hot steamed rice, fluffy brown rice, or your favorite stir-fried veggies. For a heartier meal, try with soba noodles, roasted broccoli, or even a sunny fried egg on the side!

Creative Ways to Present

Transform weeknight dinners into something extra by using this sauce as a dipping companion for gyoza, drizzled artistically over poke bowls, or even brushed onto grilled pineapple for a sweet-savory twist. Small mason jars filled with your homemade teriyaki sauce also make charming edible gifts!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let your BEST Teriyaki Sauce cool completely, then store it in a clean, tightly sealed jar or bottle in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to a week, ready to power-up your meals any time!

Freezing

This sauce loves the freezer! Portion it into ice cube trays or mini containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or zap a cube straight into a pan for instant flavor magic.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm the sauce gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally—if it thickens up too much, just whisk in a splash of water until it reaches your desired consistency.

FAQs

  1. Can I use this BEST Teriyaki Sauce Recipe as a marinade?

    Absolutely! If you’re marinating, simply skip the cornstarch and water; let the sauce cool completely, then pour over chicken, tofu, beef, or veggies and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight) for deep flavor.

  2. What can I use if I don’t have mirin?

    If mirin isn’t available, use dry sherry with a pinch of sugar stirred in. In a pinch, you can also use a combination of rice vinegar and additional brown sugar, though the flavor will be a bit lighter and less complex.

  3. How do I make the BEST Teriyaki Sauce Recipe gluten-free?

    Just stick with tamari as your base and double-check labels on your mirin—some brands sneak in traces of wheat. With those swaps, you’re good to go for a gluten-free teriyaki adventure!

  4. Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

    Yes! This recipe is perfect for making in advance—the flavor actually develops as it rests. Keep it refrigerated in a sealed jar and shake or stir before each use.

Final Thoughts

Once you experience how easy and utterly delicious homemade can be, this will be the only BEST Teriyaki Sauce Recipe you’ll want in your kitchen. I hope you give it a try, get creative, and enjoy drizzling, dipping, and glazing to your heart’s content!

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BEST Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

BEST Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 96 reviews
  • Author: Mia
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1 1/4 cups
  • Category: Sauce
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Japanese
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This homemade Teriyaki Sauce recipe is the BEST! It’s savory, sweet, and versatile, perfect for marinating meats or as a dipping sauce. Made with pantry staples, you’ll never go back to store-bought!


Ingredients

Units Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup tamari or low sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

Additional Flavors:

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon honey (or agave nectar for vegans)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons mirin
  • 1/4 cup water mixed with 3 teaspoons cornstarch

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, mix all ingredients. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 4 minutes.
  2. Cool and Store: Remove from heat, let it cool, and then refrigerate. Makes about 1 1/4 cups of teriyaki sauce.

Notes

  • Mirin is a sweet Japanese rice wine, substitute with sherry and a pinch of sugar if unavailable.
  • If using as a marinade, omit cornstarch and ensure sauce is cooled before use.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
  • Calories: 45
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 525mg
  • Fat: 1g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 9g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

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