This homemade Teriyaki Sauce recipe is perfect for making stir fry, a marinade, or to spoon over rice and veggies. It’s so fast and simple to make the best teriyaki sauce, you will want to skip the store-bought version from now on!

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
The first time you make teriyaki marinade and sauce from scratch, you’ll be surprised at just how easy it is and the flavor is fantastic! Making sauces yourself allows you to control the ingredients used and skip any preservatives often found in bottled sauces from the grocery store.
Love making your own sauces and condiments? We do too! Check out these can’t-miss recipes: Burger Sauce Recipe (In-n-Out copycat recipe) | Homemade Ranch Dressing | Fry Sauce 4 Ways | Yum Yum Sauce Recipe | Homemade Pizza Sauce
The Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make Teriyaki Sauce (the exact measurements and full recipe instructions are below in the easy-to-print recipe card):
Water – the water will be divided with part going into the sauce at the beginning of the cooking process and the remaining water being mixed with the cornstarch to add at the end to thicken the sauce.
Soy sauce – use any soy sauce you like. Low-sodium works well for this recipe.
Brown sugar – we used light brown sugar, but dark will work as well.
Honey – the honey adds a little more sweetness without thinning the sauce.
Garlic – use fresh garlic and mince well before adding to the sauce.
Ground ginger – we used dry ground ginger.
Cornstarch – the cornstarch will act as the thickener for the sauce.
How to Make Teriyaki Sauce
Combine 3/4 cup water, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, minced garlic, and ground ginger in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, whisking often, until the sauce begins to simmer. Continue to simmer and stir for 2-3 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk the remaining 1/4 cup water with the cornstarch. Whisk into the sauce in the pan and whisk constantly until combined and the sauce begins to thicken.
Simmer the sauce for 1-3 minutes, stirring often, until thickened; remove from heat and serve warm.
Hint: If the sauce ends up too thick, add water one tablespoon at a time until the sauce is thinned.
How to Use Teriyaki Sauce
- Stir fry
- Marinade for chicken, fish, veggies, and shrimp (cool the sauce completely before using as a marinade)
- Dipping sauce
How to Store Leftover Sauce
Cool the sauce completely, then pour into a jar with a lid or a food storage container with a lid. Refrigerate for up to one week or freeze for up to three months.
More Sauce Recipes You’ll Love
Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce Recipe
Teriyaki Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup water divided
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Combine 3/4 cup water, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, minced garlic, and ground ginger in a small saucepan. Heat over over medium heat, whisking often, until the sauce begins to simmer. Contonue to simmer and stir for 2-3 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk the remaining 1/4 cup water with the cornstarch. Whisk into the sauce in the pan and whisk constantly until combined and the sauce begins to thicken. Simmer the sauce for 1-3 minutes, stirring often, until thickened; remove from heat and serve warm.
- Hint: If the sauce ends up too thick, add water one tablespoon at a time until the sauce is thinned.
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