Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce is an easy 10-minute recipe made from scratch with soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and a simple cornstarch thickener. This sweet and savory teriyaki sauce is perfect for chicken, salmon, beef, pork, stir-fries, rice, noodles, and everything from a dipping sauce to a thick teriyaki glaze!

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce is one of those easy recipes you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making all along! It’s sweet, savory, a little tangy, and packed with flavor. And the best part? You can make it from scratch in about 10 minutes with a handful of simple ingredients.

If you’ve been buying bottled teriyaki sauce at the grocery store, you might be surprised at just how easy it is to make your own. No complicated ingredients or special equipment needed!

This easy teriyaki sauce recipe starts with soy sauce, pineapple juice, and brown sugar. Then we add Worcestershire sauce, fresh ginger, garlic powder, and onion powder for extra flavor. A quick cornstarch slurry thickens everything into a delicious homemade sauce that’s ready for all kinds of meals.

It’s similar to my Homemade Teriyaki Marinade, but the ingredients are slightly different, and this version is thicker. That makes it especially good for brushing onto grilled chicken, steak, or pork, tossing with vegetables for a quick stir-fry, or spooning over a bowl of rice. And don’t forget teriyaki salmon, shrimp, meatballs, noodles, and burgers. There are SO many ways to use this stuff!

My kids love using this homemade teriyaki sauce to make their own fried rice with whatever leftover meat, rice, and vegetables we happen to have around. It’s a great way to turn leftovers into something completely different without much work.

I love keeping homemade sauces like this in the refrigerator because they make quick dinners so much easier. A little sauce can transform plain chicken, rice, or vegetables into something everyone actually wants to eat.

If you’re looking for a simple teriyaki sauce recipe that’s sweet, savory, and easy to customize, this is a great one to try!

What I Love About This Recipe

• SO easy to make! This Homemade Teriyaki Sauce comes together in one saucepan in about 10 minutes. You only need a few basic ingredients, and there’s very little prep involved. If you’ve never made teriyaki sauce from scratch, this is an easy place to start. You might even have most of the ingredients in your kitchen already!
• Sweet, savory, and full of flavor! Soy sauce creates the salty, savory base, while pineapple juice and brown sugar add sweetness. Fresh ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce give the sauce even more flavor. It’s a delicious combination that works with everything from grilled chicken to stir-fried vegetables.
• Easy to adjust the thickness! Cornstarch and cold water turn the sauce into a thicker mixture that coats meat and vegetables beautifully. You can keep it a little thinner for drizzling or make it thicker for a sticky teriyaki glaze. The sauce also thickens a little more as it cools. No need to buy several different bottles of sauce!
• Perfect for all kinds of meals! Use this homemade sauce for chicken teriyaki, salmon, beef, steak, pork, meatballs, stir-fry, rice bowls, or noodles. It’s also delicious brushed onto grilled pineapple or spooned over a burger. My kids love mixing it into fried rice with leftovers. It’s one of those handy recipes you’ll find yourself making again and again!
• Easy to customize! You can experiment with pineapple juice, orange juice, honey, ginger, sesame oil, or a little extra spice. Low-sodium soy sauce is another easy option if you prefer a less salty base. I love recipes that give you room to play around with flavors. Just start with the original recipe and adjust it to your taste!

What Is Teriyaki Sauce?

Teriyaki sauce is a sweet and savory soy sauce-based sauce commonly used to glaze, brush, or coat meat, seafood, and vegetables.

The word teriyaki comes from Japanese cooking. It refers to a style of cooking that creates a glossy finish on grilled or broiled foods. Traditional Japanese teriyaki sauce typically uses soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. The sauce thickens as it reduces and creates a shiny glaze.

American-style homemade teriyaki sauce recipes often include additional ingredients such as ginger, garlic, honey, brown sugar, pineapple juice, or cornstarch.

This recipe is a sweet and savory, pineapple-based version with fresh ginger, Worcestershire sauce, and a little garlic and onion flavor. It’s not meant to be an authentic traditional Japanese teriyaki sauce, but it’s a delicious, versatile homemade version that’s perfect for everyday cooking.

And since we’re making it from scratch, you can experiment with the flavors and thickness depending on how you want to use it.

Equipment You May Need

• Medium Saucepan – Everything cooks together in one saucepan, so cleanup is pretty easy.
• Whisk – Helpful for combining the sauce ingredients and slowly incorporating the cornstarch slurry without lumps.
• Small Bowl or Measuring Cup – Use this to whisk the cold water and cornstarch together before adding them to the hot sauce.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons – You’ll need these for measuring the soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, seasonings, water, and cornstarch.
• Covered Storage Container – A mason jar or another covered container is handy if you’re making the sauce ahead and keeping it in the refrigerator.
• Grater: Helpful for preparing the fresh ginger if you’re not using refrigerated ginger paste.

(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this easy teriyaki sauce recipe from scratch.

• Soy Sauce: The salty, savory base of this homemade teriyaki sauce. I like using low-sodium soy sauce because it gives you a little more control over the saltiness. Regular soy sauce works too, but the finished sauce may taste saltier.
• Pineapple Juice: Adds fruity sweetness and a little tang. I love the flavor it brings to this recipe, especially when serving the sauce with chicken, pork, or grilled pineapple. You can substitute water or orange juice if you prefer.
• Brown Sugar: Gives the teriyaki sauce its sweetness and helps balance the salty soy sauce. Brown sugar also adds a slightly deeper flavor than plain white sugar.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds extra savory flavor and a little tanginess. It’s not a traditional Japanese teriyaki ingredient, but it works well in this homemade version.
• Fresh Ginger: Gives the sauce a delicious fresh ginger flavor. I like using minced fresh ginger, but refrigerated ginger paste is a convenient alternative. You can usually find it in the produce section at the grocery store.
• Garlic Powder: Adds garlic flavor without any chopping. It also blends smoothly into the sauce.
• Onion Powder: Adds a little savory onion flavor that complements the garlic and ginger.
• Cold Water: Combines with cornstarch to make a smooth thickening mixture. Using cold water helps prevent the cornstarch from clumping.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce so it coats chicken, beef, pork, vegetables, and other foods. It’s especially helpful when you want a thicker teriyaki sauce or glaze.

How to Make Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

Step One: Combine the Sauce Ingredients
Place a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, ginger, garlic powder, and onion powder, then whisk to combine.

Step Two: Bring the Sauce to a Boil
Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking occasionally. Keep an eye on the saucepan so the sauce doesn’t burn.

Step Three: Make the Cornstarch Slurry
Meanwhile, whisk the cold water and cornstarch together in a small bowl or measuring cup until completely smooth.

Step Four: Thicken the Teriyaki Sauce
Slowly whisk the cornstarch and water mixture into the teriyaki sauce until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat and use as needed.

(Full printable recipe card with full details is at bottom of post.)

How to Thicken Teriyaki Sauce

Cornstarch is the secret to turning this from a thinner teriyaki marinade-style mixture into a thicker sauce.

But don’t dump the cornstarch directly into the hot saucepan!

Instead, whisk the cornstarch with cold water until smooth. This mixture is generally referred to as a cornstarch slurry.

Slowly whisk the slurry into the hot teriyaki sauce. As the sauce cooks, it will begin to thicken.

This recipe doesn’t make a SUPER thick teriyaki sauce, and keep in mind that it will thicken a little more as it cools.

Want a really thick teriyaki glaze? You can add a little more cornstarch and water until you get the consistency you want.

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce Variations

One of the best things about homemade sauces is how easy they are to change.

Instead of pineapple juice, try water or orange juice. Orange juice gives you another fruity variation that should work well with the ginger and soy sauce.

You can also experiment with honey, green onion, cilantro, sesame oil, or rice vinegar.

Fresh ginger gives the sauce great flavor, but refrigerated ginger paste is an easy shortcut when you don’t have fresh ginger or don’t feel like peeling and mincing it.

Uses for Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

• Teriyaki Chicken – Brush the sauce onto grilled chicken or spoon it over cooked chicken. Grilled teriyaki chicken is definitely one of my favorite ways to use it.
• Teriyaki Beef or Steak – Brush the sauce over grilled beef or steak for an easy dinner.
• Teriyaki Pork – Use the sauce with grilled pork or pork cutlets.
• Teriyaki Burgers – Mix a little sauce into raw ground beef, chicken, or pork before forming burger patties, or drizzle it over a cooked burger.
• Teriyaki Stir-Fry – Toss the sauce with precooked meat and vegetables for a quick homemade stir-fry.
• Fried Rice – Mix a little into precooked rice with leftover chicken, pork, vegetables, or whatever else you have in the refrigerator.
• Kabobs – Brush the thick teriyaki sauce onto grilled meat and vegetable kabobs.
• Pineapple – Drizzle a little over fresh-cut pineapple or brush it onto grilled pineapple.
• Sandwich Spread – Mix a little teriyaki sauce with mayonnaise for a quick sweet and savory sandwich spread.

Serving Suggestions

• Brush Homemade Teriyaki Sauce over grilled chicken, pork, beef, steak, or kabobs.
• Toss the sauce with cooked chicken and vegetables for a quick chicken teriyaki stir-fry.
• Serve teriyaki meat and vegetables over rice for an easy dinner.
• Mix it into fried rice with leftover meat, vegetables, and chopped pineapple.
• Drizzle over a cooked burger for a quick teriyaki burger.
• Brush it onto grilled pineapple for an easy sweet and savory side or snack.
• Use it with Teriyaki Pork Cutlets or Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps.

Quick Tips for Best Results

• Use low-sodium soy sauce if you prefer. Soy sauce brings plenty of salty flavor to teriyaki, and I generally like the low-sodium version for this recipe.
• Keep an eye on the saucepan. The sauce comes to a boil fairly quickly, so don’t wander too far away while it’s heating.
• Whisk the cornstarch with cold water first. Make sure the slurry is smooth before adding it to the hot teriyaki sauce.
• Add the slurry slowly. Whisk it gradually into the sauce so you can evenly thicken the mixture.
• Remember that the sauce thickens as it cools. Don’t judge the final consistency only by how it looks while it’s piping hot.
• Adjust the thickness if needed. If you want a thicker sauce or teriyaki glaze, you can add a little more cornstarch and water.
• Make a batch for the refrigerator. Having homemade teriyaki sauce ready to go makes quick stir-fries, rice bowls, and grilled dinners even easier.

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce FAQ

How should I store Homemade Teriyaki Sauce?
Store the teriyaki sauce in a covered container in the refrigerator. A mason jar or another tightly covered container works well.

Can you freeze Homemade Teriyaki Sauce?
I haven’t tried it, but I’m sure it would freeze well for a few months.

How long will the Homemade Teriyaki Sauce last?
The sauce should last a few weeks in the fridge, but if you have fresh ingredients in the sauce such as ginger or green onion, it may last about a week.

Substitutions?
Instead of pineapple juice, you can use water or orange juice. Refrigerated ginger paste can replace the minced fresh ginger. Honey, green onion, cilantro, sesame oil, and rice vinegar are some other ideas you can experiment with.

Can I use low-fat ingredients?
There really aren’t many high-fat ingredients in this sauce to begin with. If you’re looking to adjust the recipe for a particular dietary need, check the labels and nutrition information on the individual ingredients you’re using.

What else can I add to this recipe?
Try honey, green onion, cilantro, sesame oil, rice vinegar, or orange juice. You can also experiment with the balance of flavors depending on how you’re planning to use the sauce.

Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some ideas, but I can’t guarantee results. Always check specific brands and ingredient labels if you’re following a particular diet or have food restrictions or allergies.

Vegan – Check the Worcestershire sauce and other packaged ingredients carefully since products can vary.

Vegetarian – Check the Worcestershire sauce and specific brands you’re using to make sure they fit your dietary needs.

Low-Carb – The brown sugar and pineapple juice contribute carbohydrates, so this recipe would require substitutions to significantly reduce the carbs.

Gluten-Free – Check your soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and all other packaged ingredients carefully and choose gluten-free versions when necessary.

Other Sauce Recipes You May Enjoy

• Boom Sauce – A delicious burger and fry sauce.
• Buffalo Sauce – An easy homemade sauce with a secret ingredient.
• Korean BBQ Sauce – A simple homemade sticky sauce, dipping sauce, or marinade for a wide range of things like beef, chicken, pork, or vegetables.
• Sweet & Spicy Root Beer BBQ Sauce – The name says it all; this sauce is both sweet and spicy and packed with flavor.

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…

Hope you enjoy this easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce! See my 31+ Homemade Sauces for even more sauces you can make at home.