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10 Minute Teriyaki Sauce

Forget store-bought teriyaki sauce – you can make your own delicious version at home in just minutes, using either the microwave or the stove! This convenient recipe uses simple ingredients to create a tasty sauce perfect for stir-fries, marinades, dipping, and drizzling over everything!

Super easy teriyaki sauce in a white bowl.

This is the ultimate easy teriyaki sauce recipe!

I can’t get enough of this homemade teriyaki sauce recipe! It’s so quick and easy to make, using simple ingredients I usually have in my pantry, and is perfect for stir-fries, marinades, or for drizzling over grilled meat or fish.

The best part is I can whip up a batch in the microwave or on the stove in a few minutes, and it keeps in the fridge for up to a week!

What do you need?

  • Soy sauce: This is the base of the teriyaki sauce, providing a salty, umami flavor. For a low-sodium option, you can substitute tamari.
  • Light brown sugar: You can use dark brown sugar, but keep in mind that it will result in a sweeter sauce. If using dark brown sugar, consider reducing the amount slightly to avoid overpowering the other flavors.
  • Rice wine (mirin or sake): Rice wine adds depth and a slightly sweet, acidic note to the sauce. If you don’t have rice wine, you can substitute dry sherry or white wine.
  • Honey: Honey provides additional sweetness and helps to create a glossy, sticky texture in the finished sauce.
  • Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used as a thickener, helping the sauce to achieve the perfect consistency. You can substitute it with arrowroot powder or potato starch if needed.
  • Sesame oil: Sesame oil adds a nutty, toasted flavor to the sauce. If you don’t have sesame oil, you can omit it, but the sauce will lack some depth of flavor.
  • Ginger: the recipe below uses fresh ginger, but you can substitute ground ginger instead – use 1 teaspoon of ground ginger.
  • Garlic: I used fresh minced garlic for this recipe, but you can use garlic powder if needed – use around ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.

How to make teriyaki sauce in the microwave

1

Prepare.

Pop all the ingredients except the water and cornstarch, in a microwave-safe bowl, and whisk to combine.

If making it on the stove-top, whisk the ingredients (minus the water and cornstarch) together in a small saucepan.

Teriyaki sauce ingredients whisked together in a bowl.

2

Heat the sauce.

Heat the teriyaki sauce in the microwave for 1 minute, then remove the bowl and whisk again.

Stove-top method: Bring the sauce to a simmer, while stirring.

3

Add the cornstarch and heat again.

Dissolve the cornstarch in the water and add it to the sauce, whisk to combine. Microwave for another 3 minutes, pausing to stir halfway through.

Stove-top method: Continue heating on the stovetop, stirring regularly while the sauce thickens, for around 4-5 minutes.

Cornstarch being added to teriyaki sauce.

Using and storing

You can use this sauce right away, or let it cool and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It should last for up to a week. Some ideas for using this sauce:

  • Add to your favorite stir-fried veggies and protein, like this air fryer chicken and broccoli.
  • Drizzle over cooked chicken, rice or fish, and veggies.
  • Use as a marinade for grilled or roasted meats.
  • Toss with cooked noodles, vegetables, and protein for a tasty noodle dish.
  • Serve as a dip for appetizers like steamed dumplings or spring rolls.
  • Brush onto chicken or salmon before cooking for an easy teriyaki glaze.
Pouring this teriyaki sauce from a glass jar.
Super easy teriyaki sauce in a white bowl.

Easy Teriyaki Sauce (microwave or stove)

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Forget store-bought teriyaki sauce – you can make your own delicious version at home in just minutes, using either the microwave or the stove! This quick and easy recipe uses simple ingredients to create a tasty sauce perfect for stir-fries, marinades, dipping, and drizzling over everything!
Prep Time3 minutes
Cook Time4 minutes
Total Time7 minutes
Serves8

Ingredients

  • ½ cup Soy sauce (or tamari)
  • ¼ cup Light brown sugar (unpacked)
  • 3 tablespoons Rice wine ([Note 1])
  • 1 tablespoon Honey
  • 1 teaspoon Minced garlic (approx. 1 clove [Note 2])
  • 2 teaspoons Minced ginger ([Note 3])
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon Cornstarch/ cornflour
  • ¼ cup Water

Directions

  • Add all ingredients except water and cornstarch, to a microwave-safe mixing bowl, and whisk together.
    Or add to a small saucepan if making on the stove-top.
  • Microwave on High for 1 minute, before removing the bowl and stirring again.
    For stovetop: bring to a simmer while stirring frequently.
  • Dissolve the cornstarch in the water and add it to the mixing bowl. Whisk and place back in the microwave for another 3 minutes, pausing to stir halfway through.
    Stove-top: add the cornstarch sluffy to the saucepan, whisk to combine. Continue simmering for 4-5 minutes, while stirring, until the sauce thickens.
  • Use right away or let cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge, for up to 1 week.

Notes

  1. You can substitute dry sherry or dry white wine.
  2. Substitute ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  3. Substitute 1 teaspoon ground ginger.

Nutrition

Calories: 55.3kcal  Carbohydrates: 10.8g  Protein: 1.6g  Fat: 0.8g  Saturated Fat: 0.1g  Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g  Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g  Sodium: 812.7mg  Potassium: 45mg  Fiber: 0.1g  Sugar: 9.1g  Vitamin A: 0.03IU  Vitamin C: 0.2mg  Calcium: 10.1mg  Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.

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