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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 homemade teriyaki sauce in 3 steps (in the microwave)

1

Prepare.

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

Teriyaki sauce ingredients whisked together in a bowl.

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

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.

Cornstarch being added to teriyaki sauce.

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

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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