Description
This simple and flavorful Teriyaki Sauce recipe features a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes, ideal for glazing meats, drizzling over vegetables, or enhancing stir-fries. Made with common pantry ingredients like soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger, it thickens beautifully with cornstarch for a glossy finish in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Liquid Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup)
- 1/4 cup cold water
Dry and Aromatic Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Combine the base ingredients: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix together 1 cup water, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, minced garlic, fresh ground ginger, and red pepper flakes. Stir the mixture well and bring it to a gentle simmer to meld the flavors.
- Prepare cornstarch slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water until the cornstarch is fully dissolved, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Thicken the sauce: Slowly add the cornstarch slurry to the simmering sauce in the saucepan, stirring continuously to combine.
- Simmer until thickened: Continue heating and stirring until the sauce reaches your desired thickness. If it becomes too thick, gradually add a little more water to thin it to your preferred consistency.
Notes
- Use reduced-sodium soy sauce to control saltiness or adjust to taste.
- Maple syrup is a great vegan alternative to honey.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to vary the spiciness level.
- Use fresh garlic and ginger for the best flavor impact.
- The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Perfect as a glaze for grilled meats, stir-fry sauce, or dipping sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Japanese
Keywords: teriyaki sauce, homemade teriyaki, Japanese sauce, easy teriyaki, stir-fry sauce, glaze, sweet soy sauce
