How to Make Teriyaki Sauce
Learn how to make teriyaki sauce at home with just 3 simple ingredients!
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I used to buy sauces at the store without blinking an eye. My mom would always have fun sauces in the fridge and be able to “spice things” up if one of her meals needed a little more flavor.
Since beginning a health journey a few years ago, I started looking at ingredient lists and discovered how much extra junk (for a lack of better word) companies put in their products.
I am by no means an expert, but I do enjoy fueling my body with WHOLE FOODS because that is when I feel my best. Sauces and dressings are actually incredibly easy to make and taste better too. See my recipe for homemade taco seasoning and burger seasoning.
What is teriyaki sauce?
Teriyaki is actually any type of Japanese food that includes cooking meat and veggies in a sweet and savory sauce. It is a pretty broad term, but it has commonly been transformed into a term of sweet and savory sauce.
Teriyaki sauce can be used as a marinade or a dipping sauce. Teriyaki sauce is a wonderful addition to stir fries and seafood dishes. Throw it together with items you already have in your kitchen and enjoy!
Why make your own sauce
- CHEAPER– This is not an all out rule that making your own is always cheaper, but many times it can be. It is a great way to save money on groceries.
- HEALTHIER– You can control what goes inside. No need for extra chemicals or more added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Use the ingredients you know, trust, and already have on hand.
- MORE FLAVOR– Homemade sauces taste better. Period.
- CUSTOMIZE– There are many ways that you can change sauces so they fit into your family’s dietary needs and wants.
Here is what I pulled out of my fridge. There are definitely some extra ingredients in there, like high fructose corn syrup, succinic acid, and sodium benzoate that I would rather skip.
Ingredients in homemade teriyaki sauce
In essence, you can make teriyaki sauce with just soy sauce, water, and a sweetener of your choice. Brown sugar, white sugar, honey, and maple syrup are all good options.
How to make
- Combine 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1 cup water, and 1/4 cup brown sugar into a small sauce pan.
- Put on low heat and let simmer until brown sugar is dissolved, about 2-3 minutes.
To make it thicker (like for a sauce)- In a separate bowl, make a slurry with 2 Tbsp of cornstarch and 2 Tbsp of cold water. Whisk to combine and add to the sauce pan. Stir well.
Variations of teriyaki sauce
There are so many different options that you can transform the base teriyaki sauce. Some common add-ins are:
- ginger
- garlic
- orange juice
- pineapple juice
How long does it last?
Homemade teriyaki sauce is good for 2-3 weeks if kept in an air tight container in the fridge. I like to double the batch and throw into a stir fry, use as a marinade for chicken, or a dipping sauce. It is great to have on hand to add a little more flavor to a meal.
What you need to know…
- Making homemade sauces and dressings is MUCH easier than you thought!
- Homemade teriyaki sauce can be made with just water, soy sauce, and brown sugar.
- You can add many extras such as ginger, garlic, and pineapple juice to give it some extra flavor.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will come back for more!
