If you always grab a bottle from the store, you may be surprised to learn just how simple and easy it is to make teriyaki sauce at home. Many of the bottled varieties contain plenty of additives, cornstarch, and extra bits that can make this staple sauce too sweet, too thick, or just downright wrong. If you really want the good stuff, then you have to make it yourself! Our simple Japanese-style recipe takes just 30 minutes and uses only 4 pantry staple ingredients to create the authentic sauce; if you always have these ingredients on hand, you’ll always have teriyaki sauce to put on anything and everything. Here’s how to do it right:
What is teriyaki sauce?
You may know it as an irresistible sauce, but technically, teriyaki refers to a method of cooking that involves basting fish or meat with sauce as it cooks (in fact, if you break down the Japanese word “teriyaki” into parts, it means to shine or glisten + to broil or grill). Classic teriyaki sauce will have a rich, soy sauce-forward flavor that’s full of umami. The finished sauce should be viscous and sticky, which makes it a great complement to cooked meat and vegetables.
How to make teriyaki sauce:
While there are plenty of variations of teriyaki sauce (Hawaiian, American, etc.), our recipe focuses on the most classic Japanese version. All you need are 4 ingredients—mirin, sake, Japanese soy sauce, and sugar—to create this simple recipe that results in a smooth and straightforward sauce. If you’re looking for thicker American-style teriyaki, you’re going to want to add garlic and ginger, just like we did in our teriyaki chicken recipe. Craving the Hawaiian version? You’ll need pineapple juice, brown sugar, and scallions—follow our chicken teriyaki bowls recipe to learn how to make this slightly sweeter version.
How to use teriyaki sauce:
Just like the origins of its name, you can use teriyaki to baste your grilled beef, salmon, or vegetables like bok choy, broccoli, or cabbage (we especially love it on our chicken thighs). Or you can totally go rogue and play up your homemade sushi with a side of dipping sauce, or douse one of your favorite burger recipes in this classic sauce. When you’re making it at home, the sky’s the limit on what you can do with it.
Storage:
Make a large batch of the sauce and store in an airtight container for up to 1 month in the fridge.
Make this recipe? Let us know in the comments below.
