This homemade teriyaki sauce recipe makes the best teriyaki sauce that's better than anything from the store, just like your favorite Japanese restaurant.
I've been craving teriyaki sauce lately. As I continue to operate Chili Pepper Madness and cook with chili peppers of all types, I find myself moving all over the globe in terms of cuisine and recipe choices. The thing is, chili peppers are used worldwide, so if you're into exploring food culture, all you need to do is follow the peppers of that region.
In the last few years, I've found myself more and more interested in Asian cuisine. That is a broad statement, I know. Just like "American Cuisine" has multiple influences and distinctive components, the continent of Asia is massive and one could spend a lifetime exploring its different cuisines and cultures.
If you can recommend a good book for me to help me along, send me links, please!
I'm still dipping my toe into some cuisines, so I'm starting with a simple yet incredibly popular one that you'll want to keep in your recipe box - Easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce.
Teriyaki sauce is sweet and versatile and ideal for many popular dishes. I like to have it around for quick and easy weeknight meals, like Teriyaki Chicken, Teriyaki Shrimp or even Teriyaki Salmon, one of my favorites.
It's a great sauce or glaze and adds a pop of flavor, and heat if you make it my way, to just about any meal. You'll definitely want this on hand if you love a good stir fry meal. Stir fries are quick to make, easy to customize and spice up as much as you'd like, and always satisfying.
What is Teriyaki?
The word "Teriyaki" refers to the cooking method of grilling or broiling foods with a sweet glaze. It originates from Japan and the sauce itself is a sticky sweet sauce made primarily of soy sauce, mirin and sugar. You've most likely enjoyed with Japanese cooking, or Mongolian.
Teriyaki is also hugely popular in America, often made with more local ingredients, though the taste is one you'll find rather addictive and something worth going back to over and over again.
Like me, lately. I want teriyaki! So I'm making a homemade version, because I love it.
Let's talk about how to make teriyaki sauce, shall we?
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce Ingredients
- Soy Sauce. Use ½ cup soy sauce for this recipe. Soy sauce is the base. You can use low sodium soy sauce, if desired.
- Sweet Element. I use 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1 tablespoon honey. I love the combination. You can use only one of them if you'd like. Maple syrup works, too.
- Fresh Ingredients. Use 2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic and 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger. You can use powdered versions - garlic powder or ground ginger - though I prefer fresh, as they are more pungent.
- Liquids. Use 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 3 tablespoons mirin (or rice vinegar), and 1/2 cup water for thinning and simmering. I often like to go a bit heavy on the sesame oil. Hot sesame oil, my friends!
- Thickening. If desired, use ¼ cup cold water mixed with 2 teaspoons cornstarch. Cornstarch and water will help to thicken up the teriyaki sauce.
- Spice It Up. Use 1 tablespoon chili flakes, if you prefer a spicier version, like I do. You can skip it if you'd like.
How to Make Teriyaki Sauce - Homemade
Whisk the Ingredients. Add soy sauce, water, brown sugar, chili flakes, honey, garlic, ginger, sesame oil and mirin to a small pot or small saucepan. Whisk them together to combine the ingredients.
Simmer the Sauce. Heat the pot to medium heat and simmer it for a few minutes until it thickens up and develops more flavor, stirring occasionally.
Thicken the Sauce. Swirl in a bit of corn starch that has been whisked with water and bring the mixture to a quick boil at medium high heat, then reduce to medium heat. Stir until the sauce thickens to your desired thickness. You can skip this step if you prefer a thinner teriyaki sauce.
Strain. You can strain your teriyaki sauce at this point to remove any of the solids, like the ginger or garlic, but I leave them in. Super tasty.
Cool and Serve. Let it cool and you're free to use your teriyaki sauce however you like. Toss it in a mason jar.
Boom! Easy enough, isn't it? It's a very easy recipe. Super easy. I like to make a larger batch and store it in the refrigerator for using throughout the week.
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce is So Much Better
You can easily find teriyaki sauce at your local grocer, attesting to its large popularity here in the states, but once you learn how to make it at home, you'll find no reason to purchase the store bought stuff again. Especially when you can spice it up like I do.
I do love the sweetness of a good teriyaki with Japanese cuisine, but I like a spicier version even more so. I find a little bit of heat helps to balance out the sweetness, and it goes perfectly with many different stars of your dish.
It's such a great recipe. I love mine with just a touch of heat and not so overwhelmingly sweet. Make it your own, my friends!
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Heat Factor. You'll get GREAT flavor with this sauce based on the ingredients combination alone, but the heat factor is adjustable by the inclusion of chili flakes. Use hotter peppers to really up that heat factor, or sprinkle in a spicy chili powder to your preference. Hot sesame oil is a nice addition for spicy food lovers. You can lower the heat by skipping the chili flakes altogether.
- Other Ingredients. You can vary up the recipe with other ingredients. Pineapple juice is a popular addition for sweetness. Swirl in some sesame seeds for texture, or sprinkle them onto your served foods. Try it with different brands and types of soy sauce as well for interesting results.
- Serving Teriyaki Sauce. Try it out as a dipping sauce with grilled shrimp, chicken breast, chicken wings, meatballs, or even burgers. You know you want to try a Teriyaki Burger now, don't you? Here are some great teriyaki recipes to try: Teriyaki Chicken, Spicy Teriyaki Shrimp Stir Fry, Teriyaki Salmon. Or try my Sweet and Spicy Teriyaki Marinade.
I hope you enjoy it! Let me know how it turns out for you.
Try Some of My Other Delicious Recipes
- Sweet & Spicy Teriyaki Chicken
- General Tso Sauce
- Szechuan Sauce
- Kung Pao Sauce
- Bulgogi Sauce
- Gochujang Sauce
- Easy Hoisin Sauce
- Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Ponzu Sauce
- Sambal Oelek
- Jerk Marinade
- Peri Peri Sauce
- Cajun Remoulade Sauce
- Chicken Fried Rice
If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons mirin
- 1 tablespoon chili flakes omit if you don't want spicy
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ cup cold water
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- To a small pot, add soy sauce, water, brown sugar, chili flakes, honey, garlic, ginger, sesame oil and mirin.
- In a small bowl, swirl together cold water and cornstarch until you have a thin slurry. Pour into the pot and stir to incorporate.
- Bring to a quick boil, then reduce heat and simmer 3-4 minutes to thicken and allow the flavors to develop.
- Remove from heat, cool, and store in the fridge. Strain, if desired. Keeps a week or so.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 11/5/21 to include new photos and information. It was originally published on 7/24/17.
Rick says
I think the 1/2 of water washes the sauce out, I would omit.
Mike H. says
Not really, provided that you use the correct proportions and follow the cooking instructions accurately.
Cathie says
add a little sake makes it smoother and more authentic tasting
Jean Griffin says
This is my favorite, I double the recipe and hate when it’s gone, thanks, Jean
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Jean. I really appreciate you saying this. I love it, too.
Kenito says
Best ever! I used ONE DROP of scorpion-Carolina reaper hot sauce to the exact recipe!!! Perfect sweetness and heat!
Mike Hultquist says
Nice! Glad you enjoyed it, Kenito!
Barb says
Excellent, followed your recipe exactly. It was easy and truly loved it. Thanks
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Barb! Glad you enjoyed it!!
Deb says
mirin you can use sugar and water if you do not have mirin
Kelly Keagy says
I had to make this twice. The first time it was way too spicy. Made it a second time and added a tablespoon of the first attempt (for heat) and it was perfect. I’ll make this again.
Mike Hultquist says
Glad you enjoyed it, Kelly. Yes, always best to adjust to your own preferences. Glad it worked! Enjoy!
Nicole says
I would try the Korean chili flakes (Gochugaru) they aren't as hot and have an excellent flavor.
Mark Forde says
Love the look. Is it possible to use Shaoxing cooking wine instead of mirin.
Regards M Forde
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Absolutely, Mark. Works great. Enjoy!
Kynthia says
Great recipe. Just a sweet hint, not cloyingly sweet or candied sweet like store bought sauce.
I did make one small change. I do not like red pepper flakes, all heat but no flavor. I substituted 1/2 teaspoon Chipotle powder for the flakes, packs a nice heat and the smokiness adds another layer.
mavee125 says
This Homemade Teriyaki Sauce is so delicious and flavorful. I used a low-sodium soy sauce as an alternative and I really love its lighter side. Glad I got to get all my needed ingredients in Karman Foods. Will definitely be cooking again this weekend.
Micah says
I made this to go with some special eggs I made for my family and they are sure to love. I have been experimenting with cooking lately and found a really good recipe for eggs that my whole family seems to love and this teriyaki sauce pairs well with it. Thank you from some random teen in the world.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks so much, Micah! Glad they enjoyed it! Happy Cooking!
Noel says
Hi Mike, this sounds like exactly what I have been hunting for. Can I ask it it would be shelf stable. I would like to make a bunch and send it around the country to friends and family who I know will love it.
Love your site and have made many of your recipes- all excellent.
Thanks Mike
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Noel. This isn't very shelf stable as is. You would probably need to add in an acid to lower the pH, such as vinegar or citrus. Shoot for a pH of 3.5 or lower for home cooking in order to preserve with a water bath method. I would also use dried ingredients, like garlic powder instead of fresh garlic. You can also look into a pressure canner. I hope this helps!
Chad Elliott says
I made this over the weekend and it was fantastic! It took like 10 minutes to make and the flavor was perfect! Will be making this all the time.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Great, Chad! Love it!!
Deborah Byrd says
Your recipe is fantastic. I was born in Hawaii over 70 years ago and my Mother had a recipe so similar to yours. It was never written down and I just figured lost forever. The minute I read this recipe, I knew it was exactly the one I wanted. My Mother used a teriyaki sauce on top round steak, cut into individual portion size. She put the ingredients in a bowl, added the steak, peeled and cut up a papaya (it tenderizes) and put it in the refrigerator overnight. We could hardly wait until the next day to eat! Now, I’ve tried yours and it brings back all those memories of outdoor grilling. Thank you so much!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Outstanding! This is so great to hear, Deborah! Super happy you have found this, and very pleased to help you bring back pleasant memories. =)
jimAND ROSE nashwinter says
This looks sooo good?Love salmon?Will be trying soon
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks! DEFINITELY super tasty! I love it.
Almyra Simon says
Love it, git to try, had a recipe , a long time ago. That used pineapple juice, it was very good. Lost the recipe, can't find it anymore. Would you happen to know it?
Can't wait to try this one, sounds pretty good to me. Thank you so much , very appreciative.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
I hope you enjoy it, Almyra. I don't know of that recipe, but I think you can easily incorporate some pineapple juice or puree into this one for an extra touch of sweetness. Enjoy!
Molly Halman says
Hello Michael,
My husband and I love your teriyaki chicken recipe, we were wondering if you had a good general Tso chicken recipe that you like to use? We would be thrilled if you could help us out with that!
Kind regards,
~M
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Molly, I have a recipe that I'm actually working on and it's on my list to publish soon. Gotta give it my Chili Pepper Madness spin! I appreciate it!
Molly Halman says
Can’t wait! We look forward to trying your chili pepper madness twist
Mohdrafat says
What can I use if I do not want the
mirin
As it is alcoholic?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Mohdrafat, you can use rice vinegar instead. Let me know how it turns out for you! Enjoy.
Mary Swetka Yu says
Thanks for this quick and easy teriyaki sauce. It had plenty of spice with the dried peppers that people use on pizza. I substituted walnut oil for the sesame since my husband is allergic. I couldn't find Mirin at the first store I went to, but used rice vinegar with a bit of sugar. My only mistake was not dividing the sauce before I marinated my chicken it.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Glad you liked it, Mary! Thank you!