Description
This Quick Homemade Teriyaki Sauce is glossy, flavorful, and packed with umami. Perfect for stir-fries, grilled meats, or dipping, it’s a pantry-friendly alternative to store-bought sauces. It comes together in under 10 minutes and stores beautifully for the week.
Ingredients
1/2 cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon honey (optional)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional garnish)
1 tablespoon chopped green onion (optional garnish)
Instructions
1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, ground ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and optional honey until the sugar dissolves.
2. Let the mixture simmer for 2–3 minutes to deepen the flavor. Stir occasionally.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry.
4. Slowly pour the slurry into the saucepan, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
5. Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens (about 1–2 minutes).
6. Remove from heat and taste. Adjust sweetness or tang if needed by adding more honey or vinegar.
7. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onion if desired.
8. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to one week in the refrigerator.
Notes
Always dissolve the cornstarch in cold water before adding—it prevents clumping and ensures a smooth sauce.
Use low-sodium soy sauce to avoid overpowering saltiness and to give room for seasoning adjustments.
If the sauce thickens too much after refrigeration, reheat gently with a splash of water to loosen the consistency.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Japanese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg