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There’s something magical about a glossy, slightly sticky teriyaki sauce that perfectly balances savory, sweet, and umami. When it coats grilled chicken, sizzles with stir-fried veggies, or soaks into a bowl of steaming rice, it turns a simple dish into something you crave again and again.

But store-bought teriyaki sauces can be overly salty or packed with preservatives. That’s why making your own at home is not only fast and easy, but also allows you to control the flavor completely. In under 10 minutes, you can whip up a small batch of fresh teriyaki sauce that’s bold, sweet, and delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Quick Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

This recipe is ideal for busy weeknights when you want something flavorful without a lot of prep. You don’t need fancy ingredients, and it keeps beautifully in the fridge. Whether you’re marinating, glazing, or using it as a dip, this sauce works wonders across a variety of dishes.

It’s also naturally gluten-free if you use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce, and you can customize the sweetness or saltiness to your liking. Plus, there’s no need for added thickeners if you reduce it on the stove just right.

Can I Use This Sauce as a Marinade, Too?

Absolutely! This teriyaki sauce works great as both a glaze and a marinade. If you’re using it as a marinade, you can skip the cornstarch so the mixture remains thin and soaks into your protein better. For a thick, clingy sauce, go ahead and cook it down with the cornstarch mixture.

Ingredients for the Quick Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

What makes this sauce special is how each simple ingredient plays a role in layering flavor. It’s pantry-friendly, and every item contributes to the bold, rich finish we love in teriyaki.

• Soy sauce: Provides the salty, umami-rich base of the sauce.
• Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and depth with a slight molasses note.
• Honey: Brings a floral, natural sweetness and glossy texture.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives a pungent, savory backbone.
• Ginger: Adds warmth and a tiny kick of spice that elevates everything.
• Rice vinegar: Offers acidity to balance the sweetness.
• Cornstarch + water: Mixed to create a slurry that thickens the sauce into a luscious glaze.
• Water: Dilutes the sauce to the right consistency, especially for cooking or marinating.

How To Make the Quick Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

Step 1: Combine the Base Ingredients

In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture starts to steam.

Step 2: Thicken the Sauce

In a separate bowl, stir together cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Slowly whisk the slurry into the saucepan. Continue to stir constantly as the sauce thickens. This should take about 2–3 minutes.

Step 3: Simmer and Adjust

Once thickened to your desired consistency, taste the sauce. Add more honey for sweetness or a splash more vinegar for tang, depending on how you like it.

Step 4: Cool and Store

Remove from heat and let the sauce cool. Pour it into a jar or airtight container. It will continue to thicken slightly as it cools and can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.

How to Serve and Store This Teriyaki Sauce

This quick homemade teriyaki sauce yields about one cup, which is perfect for two to four servings depending on how you use it. It’s enough to glaze a stir-fry, coat grilled chicken, or serve as a drizzle over rice bowls or roasted veggies.

Store any leftovers in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to a week. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave and add a splash of water if needed to loosen the texture.

What to Serve With Teriyaki Sauce?

Grilled Chicken Thighs

Brush this sauce over grilled or baked chicken thighs during the last few minutes of cooking.

Stir-Fried Veggies

Toss steamed broccoli, bell peppers, and snap peas in warm teriyaki for a quick vegetarian dish.

Teriyaki Salmon

Use it as a glaze on salmon fillets, broiled or baked to perfection.

Chicken Fried Rice

Stir a spoonful into fried rice for an instant umami upgrade, like in our Easy Chicken Fried Rice .

Skewered Shrimp

Marinate shrimp briefly, then grill and drizzle with extra sauce.

Lettuce Wraps

Pair with chopped chicken or tofu and crunchy veggies in a lettuce wrap.

Rice Noodles

Toss with cooked rice noodles and sesame seeds for a fast noodle bowl.

Want More Sauce Ideas?

If this quick teriyaki sauce is your thing, then you’ll love these other flavor-packed favorites from Luna Meals:

• Creamy Mushroom Sauce for Steak for a cozy, umami-forward meal.
• Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta when you’re craving bold and cheesy.
• Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna for a luxurious seafood pasta night.
• Fiery Chicken Ramen with Creamy Garlic Sauce if you like your comfort food with a spicy kick.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest sauce board so you can come back to it any time.

Let me know how you used your homemade teriyaki sauce. Did you pair it with salmon or toss it with noodles? Any custom additions you tried? I’d love to hear your spin.

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting sauces and more on Luna Meals on Pinterest and discover your new go-to for flavor-packed dishes.

Conclusion

Making teriyaki sauce at home is one of those kitchen tricks that instantly upgrades your cooking game. It’s simple, fast, and way more flavorful than anything from a bottle. Once you try this homemade version, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought again. So next time dinner needs a little something extra, whip up a quick batch and drizzle generously!

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