This Easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce and Marinade Recipe is just as good, if not better than any store-bought teriyaki sauce you could ever buy. In 10 minutes or less, you can have a nice batch of sweet and aromatic Asian sauce. Strong notes of ginger and garlic make it the perfect recipe to pair with just about any of your favorite meats like chicken breasts, chicken thighs, pork chops, pork tenderloin, or vegetable dishes. This easy homemade teriyaki sauce recipe is the perfect teriyaki chicken marinade.
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REASONS YOU'LL LOVE THIS EASY TERIYAKI RECIPE:
- Delicious Flavor: Teriyaki sauce combines the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, making it incredibly tasty and appealing. Perfect for chicken wings!
- Quick and Simple: This easy teriyaki recipe involves minimal ingredients and preparation, making it a convenient option for busy individuals or those new to cooking.
- Versatile: This teriyaki sauce pairs well with various proteins like chicken, salmon, tofu, or beef, allowing you to customize the dish based on your preferences.
- Healthy Option: Teriyaki recipes often incorporate vegetables and lean proteins, offering a nutritious and balanced meal.
- Kid-Friendly: The sweet and tangy flavors of teriyaki are generally well-liked by children, making it a great option for family meals.
- Impressive Presentation: Teriyaki dishes look visually appealing with their glossy and caramelized glaze, making them suitable for dinner parties or special occasions.
- Minimal Cleanup: One-pot or one-pan teriyaki recipes reduce the number of dishes to wash, making clean-up a breeze.
- Restaurant-Quality at Home: Making this homemade teriyaki marinade and sauce allows you to enjoy the taste of your favorite Japanese cuisine restaurant dish, without the cost.
- Variations: This easy teriyaki recipe is simple to follow, and there's room for experimentation by adding different spices, vegetables, or proteins to suit your taste. Adding a little orange juice or pineapple juice lends an island vibe to the sauce. This variation makes this an easy recipe for the best stir fry sauce.
MARY'S TWO CENTS
With basic ingredients and pantry ingredients, this easy marinade recipe is cost-effective, especially when using pantry staples like soy sauce and brown sugar. This simple sauce scores a CHEAP badge on our cost-per-serving recipe rating system.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE TERIYAKI SAUCE
A few simple ingredients are all you need to make this ....
For the full recipe with quantities, see the recipe card at the end of this post.
A FEW INGREDIENT NOTES
GARLIC and GINGER: While fresh chopped garlic and ginger are often best in a recipe, there are times when easier options make good sense. For example, this teriyaki sauce does not suffer from the use of frozen garlic and ginger cubes.
These cubes equal a clove of garlic or a teaspoon of ginger. Very handy! These work well in a marinade or sauce because when the cubes thaw out, the grind is very fine, allowing the garlic and ginger to get into every surface.
You can use ground ginger instead of fresh ginger, although it will definitely reduce the flavor. I suggest 1 teaspoon of ground ginger instead of 2 teaspoons for fresh ginger.
HOW TO MAKE TERIYAKI SAUCE
Combine the brown sugar, ginger, and garlic in a medium mixing bowl, that's microwave-safe.
Add soy sauce, honey, Mirin, sesame oil, and the rice wine.
Whisk well to combine all ingredients and microwave for 1 minute. Remove the bowl and move on to the next step.
Dissolve the cornstarch in the water. Add it to the bowl.
Whisk and place back in the microwave for another 3 minutes, pausing to stir halfway through.
Use right away or let cool and store in an airtight container, preferably a mason jar in the fridge, for up to 1 week.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
You don't need to have any cooking skills besides stirring to make this teriyaki sauce! What you might like is the versatility of this recipe. If I use it as a Chinese chicken salad dressing, I skip the thickening with cornstarch and instead whisk in ¼ cup vegetable oil. If I am using it as a marinade, I follow the recipe. If I am using it as a brush-on sticky sauce, I allow it to thicken even more. The point is, this recipe is a versatile Asian soy-sauce-based teriyaki sauce for use in many cooking applications. Experiment and have fun! Next time you need it, make your own teriyaki sauce!
FAQ'S
You can use tamari instead of soy sauce for a low-sodium option. Use the same amount.
You can use dark brown sugar, but it will turn out a bit sweeter, so you might want to do a little less than the recipe calls for.
To make this over the stove, place everything but the cornstarch and water in a saucepan. Stir until the mixture comes to a simmer. Dissolve the cornstarch in the water and add it to the saucepan. Stir until it starts to thicken (about 4-5 minutes). Remove from heat and follow the stated storage instructions.
EQUIPMENT
Small microwave-safe bowl - for cooking the sauce
Small bowl- for creating the cornstarch water slurry
Whisk - for whisking the sauce
Small jar with lid - for storing
STORING
Store the sauce in a small air-tight jar in the refrigerator for up to a week. I also freeze it in freezer-safe Ziploc bags for up to months.
Equipment
- 2 small bowls
- 1 Whisk
- 1-2 small jar with lids
Ingredients
- ½ cup Regular Soy Sauce use low-sodium soy sauce if you are watching your intake of sodium
- ¼ cup Water
- ¼ cup Light Brown Sugar loosely packed
- 3 tablespoons Rice Vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Minced Fresh Ginger or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons Sesame Oil
- 1 teaspoon Minced Fresh Garlic
- Green onions If using now, garnish your dish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients except the water and cornstarch, in a medium mixing bowl, that's microwave safe.Whisk the ingredients and place in the microwave for 1 minute, before removing the bowl and stirring again. If you do not have a microwave cook over medium heat until it gets hot but does not boil.
- Dissolve the cornstarch in the water and add the cornstarch slurry to the mixing bowl.
- Whisk and place back in the microwave for another 3 minutes, pausing to stir halfway through.
- Use right away or let cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge, for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
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