Description
This Quick Homemade Teriyaki Sauce is an easy, flavorful Asian-inspired glaze perfect for stir-fries, grilled meats, tofu, or as a dipping sauce. Made with simple pantry ingredients like soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger, it thickens quickly on the stovetop to a luscious consistency. Customize with optional sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds for extra depth and garnish. Ready in just 10 minutes, this versatile sauce brings rich, sweet, and savory notes to any dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Thickening Slurry
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cold water
Instructions
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the soy sauce, 1/4 cup water, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil if using. This mix forms the flavorful base of your teriyaki sauce.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to ensure the sugar completely dissolves. This helps meld the flavors and heats the sauce evenly.
- Prepare the Cornstarch Slurry: In a separate small bowl, combine the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water. Stir until smooth to create a slurry that will thicken the sauce perfectly.
- Thicken the Sauce: Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce while whisking constantly. Continue cooking for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Finish and Cool: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the teriyaki sauce cool slightly. It can be used immediately or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Serve: Garnish with toasted sesame seeds if desired. Use as a glaze for grilled meats, a stir-fry sauce, or a delicious dipping sauce to enhance your meals.
Notes
- Perfect for stir-fries, grilled meats, tofu, or as a dipping sauce.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- If the sauce becomes too thick after chilling, thin with a splash of water before using.
- Adjust sweetness or tanginess by modifying the amount of honey or rice vinegar to taste.
- For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free soy sauce tamari.
