To make teriyaki sauce at home, you typically combine soy sauce, a sweetener like brown sugar or honey, and aromatics such as garlic and fresh ginger. Here is a common and straightforward method:
Ingredients
- Soy sauce (about 1/2 to 3/4 cup)
- Brown sugar (around 1/4 to 1/2 cup)
- Water (1/4 to 1 cup)
- Fresh garlic (minced, 1-2 cloves)
- Fresh ginger (minced, 1-2 teaspoons)
- Mirin (a sweet rice wine, 1-2 tablespoons) or substitute with sake or sherry plus a pinch of sugar
- Optional: honey (1 teaspoon) and sesame oil (1 teaspoon) for extra flavor
- Cornstarch (1-2 teaspoons) mixed with water to thicken the sauce if desired
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together soy sauce, water, brown sugar, mirin, garlic, and ginger.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook for about 5 to 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to reduce slightly.
- If you want a thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with a little cold water to make a slurry, then whisk it into the simmering sauce.
- Continue stirring until the sauce thickens to your liking.
- Remove from heat and let cool; the sauce will thicken further as it cools.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
This homemade teriyaki sauce is versatile and can be used as a marinade, glaze, or dipping sauce for chicken, salmon, vegetables, and more
Summary
- Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, water, mirin, garlic, and ginger.
- Simmer and reduce for 5–10 minutes.
- Thicken with cornstarch slurry if desired.
- Cool and store.
This method yields a balanced, sweet, and savory teriyaki sauce with a nice consistency and fresh flavor.
