Homemade Teriyaki Sauce, learn how to make teriyaki sauce from scratch. Teriyaki sauce is easy to make and the best for chicken, steak and beef, stir-fry, pork, and more! Simple ingredients, a few minutes, and you’ll have homemade teriyaki Sauce!
If you’ve been buying teriyaki sauce at the store, you’re going to love this Homemade Teriyaki Sauce recipe! It’s similar to my recent Homemade Teriyaki Marinade, but slightly different ingredients and a little thicker. Since it’s thicker it’s great to brush onto grilled chicken, grilled beef (such as steaks or on top of burgers), mixed into a stir-fry, as well as anything else you can think of.
You can also use this sauce for my Teriyaki Pork Cutlets or Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps.
I’m sucker for homemade sauces. So much better to make than to buy store-bought many times (see my 31+ Homeamde Sauces for even more sauces you can make).
Before we talk about how to make teriyaki sauce, let’s talk about teriyaki sauce ingredients…
Teriyaki Sauce Ingredients
The great thing about making this Homemade Teriyaki Sauce or any other, is that you can change-up the ingredients. Most teriyaki sauces start with soy sauce and sugar, but then other ingredients can vary.
This Teriyaki Sauce contains:
- soy sauce
- pineapple juice
- brown sugar
- worcestshire sauce
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- ginger
- water and cornstarch (for thickening)
However, you can substitute a lot of these ingredients. Honey, green onion, orange juice (instead of pineapple), cilantro, sesame oil, and rice vinegar are also great substitutions or additions.
How to Make Teriyaki Sauce
You’re not going to believe how easy this Teriyaki Sauce comes together!
Start with a small to medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and ginger and whisk to combine.
Whisk the mixture occasionally, and bring to a boil. Be sure to keep an eye on it so that it doesn’t burn, but it should come to a boil fairly quickly.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the water and cornstarch until smooth. Slowly whisk into Teriyaki Sauce until sauce thickens.
This Teriyaki Sauce is not SUPER thick but does thicken a bit when it cools. You can add a bit more cornstarch and water if you want it REALLY thick.
I love making a big batch of this teriyaki sauce and putting in mason jars in the fridge to use throughout the week. My kids love making their own fried rice with whatever we have around.
Uses for Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
This sauce is so versatile! Here are some quick ideas of what to use it for…
- Add a little to raw ground beef, chicken, or pork for a Teriyaki Burger. Or drizzle on top of a cooked patty.
- Mix in with some precooked rice as well as some precooked meat and/or vegetables for an easy fried rice.
- Brush onto grilled chicken, pork, or beef or kabobs. Grilled teriyaki chicken is the best!
- Drizzle a little on cut fresh pineapple for a quick snack. It’s also great on grilled pineapple.
- Mix with a little mayonnaise and use a fun sandwich spread.
As I mentioned my kids love making their own stir fries with what we have in the house such as leftover chicken or pork, rice, vegetables such as mushrooms and onions, and chopped pineapple. I love that they can make it all by themselves!
Now that you know how to make teriyaki sauce a home, I hope you give it a try!
Let me know how you change it up or how you used the sauce!
Quick video my son made show how to make this Homemade Teriyaki Sauce…
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup soy sauce (I like the low sodium)
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice (water or orange juice)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger (or refrigerated ginger paste)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Place a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, worcestershire sauce, ginger, garlic powder, and onion powder; whisk to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking occasionally. Be sure to keep an eye on it so that it doesn’t burn.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the water and cornstarch until smooth.
- Slowly whisk the cornstarch and water into Teriyaki Sauce until sauce thickens. Remove from heat and use as needed.
Notes
Nutrition:
(Nutrition data is provided when available for informational purposes only and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. For the most accurate information please calculate based on specific ingredients and brands you use as well as any changes you made to the recipe. I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician and any nutritional information provided should only be used as a general guideline and estimate.)
Beverly says
Awesome sauce. Great on everything!
Lisa Huff says
Thanks Beverly! :)
Susan Bishop says
I want to make the homemade Teriyaki sauce and put in small mason jars for Christmas gifts but need to know how long sauce holds up if refrigerate it before giving it out. Plus what is the life span of the recipe? Thank you.
Lisa Huff says
I would guess it will last about 1-2 weeks in the fridge.
camila says
This teriyaki looks amazing! Love every single bit of it!! So yum!!
Amy Nash says
This looks so easy and delicious! I’m going to grill some salmon and brush this teriyaki sauce on that! Sounds so yummy!
Whitney says
Ohhhh I LOVE teriyaki sauce! Thanks for sharing :)
Kate | The Veg Space says
Wow, I really wouldn’t have known where to start trying to make homemade Teryaki sauce, but it is surprisingly simple! What a great idea – thanks for sharing!
Susie says
Who knew teriyaki sauce was so easy to make! I love that your recipe is a little thicker so I can brush it on grilled protien. I pinned this recipe. Thanks!