How To

How to make Teriyaki Sauce

The Japanese-inspired savoury, salty, sweet sauce for mouth-watering marinades and glazes.

The Japanese-inspired savoury, salty, sweet sauce for mouth-watering marinades and glazes, teriyaki sauce is a Japanese condiment that hits your senses with a kaleidoscope of flavours! This glossy, dark brown liquid is extremely versatile; used as a marinade, a glaze, a dressing or a dip to elevate the flavour of meat, fish or vegetable dishes.

The popularity of teriyaki actually grew in the United States, although its recipe and ingredients are fundamentally Japanese. You’ll find it ready-made on the shelves of any popular supermarket or well-stocked grocery store. But getting the really authentic mouth-watering flavour that makes a restaurant-grade teriyaki sauce is incredibly easy. Instead of reaching for the ready-made next time you’re in the shop, simply grab five staple ingredients and you’re ready to simmer up your own.

What’s in teriyaki sauce?

Teriyaki’s ingredients are a contrasting bunch that blend to create the sauce’s medley of flavour. Soy sauce is the main ingredient and the bulk of the recipe, adding a salty savouriness, and brown sugar, honey or maple syrup bring a burst of sweetness. A drop of cooking sake mirin or rice wine vinegar balances these all up, then there’s the zestiness from ginger and garlic, plus water and cornflour to create teriyaki’s trademark thick consistency.

What does teriyaki sauce taste like?

Teriyaki sauce has a complex flavour; a mixture of sweet and savoury, tangy and salty. The sweetness comes from the sweet wine and the caramelisation of the sugar, honey or syrup, which also gives the sauce its shiny glaze. The soy, ginger and garlic tone down this sweetness, resulting in a savoury, indulgent flavour that transforms even the simplest chicken, beef or vegetable dish into a real treat.

Where was teriyaki sauce invented?

Although indisputably a Japanese dish steeped in east Asian flavours, the dish is more prevalent in the west. In fact, when the name was coined in 17th-century Japan, it was because of a grilling method popular at the time rather than a sauce. “Teri” refers to the shine that the glaze gives the food, while “yaki” is a nod to the method of cooking.

The origins of teriyaki as a sauce are more commonly attributed to the Japanese population of Hawaii in the 1960s, who paired the teriyaki cooking style and soy sauce from home with the abundant sweet pineapple juice to master the distinctive marinade. Teriyaki, of course, has its place in Japanese homes and restaurants amidst other sweet, sticky soy glazes and sauces like the Chinese hoisin, oyster sauce, plum or barbecue. But, it is predominantly paired with fish in east Asia rather than the beef or chicken dishes more popular in the West.

How do you use teriyaki sauce?

So what can you cook or eat with teriyaki? The short answer is pretty much anything! Its strong flavour makes it the perfect partner for grilling meat, fish, tofu or vegetables. Either marinate for at least 30 minutes to infuse the flavour before grilling or dip or brush the food with the sauce several times during cooking to layer up the taste. The sweet and salty flavours pair well with whatever’s on the grill, or you can mix it into a stir fry or noodles, or drizzle the sauce over a salad. It works just as well in a slow cooker for dishes like teriyaki honey chicken drumsticks or beef meatballs, or on the side as a dipping sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and spring onion and serve with vegetables and rice, which soaks up any excess sauce to make an indulgent, sticky side dish.

Alternatives to teriyaki sauce

If you don’t have the ingredients for teriyaki in your kitchen or a bottle in the cupboard, you can replicate the sweet and saltiness by mixing honey with soy sauce. It won’t have quite the complexity of teriyaki, but it gives a similar result. Sauces often used as a teriyaki substitute usually focus on an aspect of the flavour, for example tangy barbecue, salty oyster sauce or sweet hoisin.

What is the difference between teriyaki and hoisin sauce?

Teriyaki and hoisin have the same thick, dark and glossy appearance and are both great as a glaze, dip, stir-in sauce or marinade, but they have quite different flavours. Hoisin is often described as a Chinese barbecue sauce for its incredibly salty, slightly sweet taste and, like teriyaki, it goes well with red meat or poultry. Hoisin is made from soybeans with garlic, sesame, chillies and spices, and it was first created to accompany Cantonese seafood. In fact, “hoisin” translates to “seafood sauce”.

Is teriyaki sauce the same as soy sauce?

Nope, teriyaki sauce isn’t the same as soy sauce, although soy is one of teryiaki’s primary ingredients, giving it that delicious salty flavour. Although one of the base notes of teriyaki, soy-sauce wouldn’t be the best substitute as it lacks that sweet, umami flavour and thicker texture that comes from the additional flavours.

Storing teriyaki sauce

You can store teriyaki in the same way you would soy sauce, seeing as soy is the base ingredient. Keep your shop-bought sauce in a cool cupboard if unopened or in the fridge. It’s best to store your homemade teriyaki in the fridge, where it will keep for a while, but is best consumed within a week.

Can I freeze homemade teriyaki sauce?

You can absolutely freeze homemade teriyaki sauce. Once it’s cooled, simply transfer to a freezer-safe container and store for up to three months.

Teriyaki sauce recipe

Equipment

Small saucepan
Wooden spoon
Balloon whisk
Glass jar for storage

Teriyaki sauce ingredients

350ml tap water
Five teaspoons light brown soft sugar (or two tablespoons honey or maple syrup)
70ml soy sauce
One large garlic clove, grated
Four-centimetre piece of fresh, grated ginger or half a teaspoon ground ginger
One tablespoon cornflour
One tablespoon mirin (or rice wine vinegar)

Step by step guide on how to make teriyaki sauce

Pour the water into the saucepan with the sugar, soy sauce, garlic and ginger
Add water to dilute the sauce to the required consistency
Pour your teriyaki sauce into a jar and leave to cool at room temperature

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Teriyaki sauce FAQs

Is teriyaki sauce gluten free?

Unfortunately, traditional teriyaki sauce is made with soy sauce, which contains wheat. However, you can make it with tamari instead of soy sauce, which is naturally gluten free.

Is teriyaki sauce spicy?

No, teriyaki sauce isn’t traditionally spicy, but if you want to add some chilli flakes, we’ll look the other way!

Is teriyaki sauce healthy?

Teriyaki sauce can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet, especially if paired with nutrient-rich protein and fresh veggies.

Is teriyaki sauce vegan?

Most teriyaki sauces are vegan, but we would recommend always double checking the label.

Is teriyaki sauce fattening?

Teriyaki isn’t necessarily fattening but it does contain a lot of sodium, which shouldn’t be over consumed as part of a healthy diet.

Is teriyaki sauce vegetarian?

Yes, teriyaki sauce is vegetarian and makes a great marinade for tofu!

Can I mix hoisin and teriyaki sauce?

For something a little different, you can absolutely mix these two classic sauces together!

Can I put teriyaki sauce on rice?

Teriyaki sauce is delicious with rice and is perfect for a quick lunch.