Easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
Sweet, savory, glossy, and packed with flavor, Easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce is a must-have recipe for quick dinners and meal prep. Made with simple pantry ingredients, this sauce comes together in minutes and tastes far better than anything from a bottle.
Teriyaki sauce is known for its balance — salty soy sauce, sweetness from sugar or honey, and subtle aromatics like garlic and ginger. This homemade version nails that balance while giving you full control over thickness, sweetness, and sodium.
Whether you’re glazing chicken, tossing it with noodles, brushing it onto salmon, or using it as a stir-fry sauce, this recipe is endlessly versatile and incredibly reliable.
Why This Teriyaki Sauce Recipe Works
This recipe uses a simple simmering method that allows flavors to meld while naturally thickening into a silky glaze. Brown sugar and honey add depth and shine, while garlic and ginger provide warmth and complexity.
Cornstarch creates that classic restaurant-style thickness without overpowering the sauce. The result is a smooth, glossy teriyaki sauce that clings beautifully to meat, vegetables, and rice.
Because it’s homemade, there are no preservatives or artificial flavors — just clean, bold taste.
Ingredients
Everything you need is easy to find and likely already in your pantry.
- Soy sauce
- Brown sugar
- Honey
- Garlic
- Fresh ginger
- Water
- Cornstarch
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, whisk together soy sauce, water, brown sugar, honey, garlic, and ginger.
- Bring mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water until smooth.
- Slowly whisk cornstarch slurry into the sauce.
- Simmer for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened and glossy.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly before using.
Tips for the Best Teriyaki Sauce
- Simmer gently, not rapidly, to avoid burning the sugars.
- Whisk constantly once the cornstarch is added for a smooth texture.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or saltiness before removing from heat.
Easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Whisk soy sauce, water, brown sugar, honey, garlic, and ginger in a saucepan.
- Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Stir cornstarch with water to make a slurry.
- Whisk slurry into sauce and simmer until thickened.
Notes
Flavor Variations
This sauce is a perfect base for customization.
- Spicy Teriyaki: Add chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes.
- Pineapple Teriyaki: Replace some water with pineapple juice.
- Orange Teriyaki: Add fresh orange juice and zest.
- Low-Sugar Version: Reduce brown sugar and honey slightly.
How to Use Teriyaki Sauce
This sauce works as both a glaze and a finishing sauce. Brush it onto meats during the last few minutes of cooking to avoid burning, or toss it with hot stir-fried vegetables and noodles.
It’s also excellent as a dipping sauce for dumplings, skewers, or grilled vegetables.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
Store homemade teriyaki sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. The sauce thickens as it chills — simply warm it gently and stir before using.
This recipe is ideal for meal prep and can be doubled or tripled easily.
Why You’ll Skip Store-Bought Forever
Once you make teriyaki sauce at home, bottled versions fall short. This recipe is fresher, thicker, and more flavorful, with none of the overly sweet or artificial taste.
It’s quick, dependable, and incredibly versatile — a sauce you’ll want to keep on hand at all times.
