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As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn how to make delicious and easy homemade teriyaki sauce with this authentic Japanese method. Sweet, savory, and versatile, it will be your go-to sauce for chicken, salmon, tofu, pork, or even meatballs! Sweet, savory and versatile, it will be your go-to sauce for chicken, salmon, tofu, pork, or even meatballs! A mason jar filled with Homemade Teriyaki Sauce. The best part about homemade teriyaki sauce? It takes only 4 simple ingredients, and you’ll get the most delicious sauce that goes well with everything!
It’s so easy that you want to keep it on hand at all times. Three dishes with Teriyaki Salmon, Teriyaki Chicken, Teriyaki Tofu. Japanese sauce outside of Japan, I’d just refer to it as a sauce in this post. As mentioned briefly, we actually don’t use bottled teriyaki sauces in Japan as we make our own sauce. Sometimes I get asked which brand of teriyaki is the best and I can only say the best teriyaki sauce is homemade and it’s as easy as 1-2-3 steps shown in this recipe. Please use only Japanese soy sauce as it has a different flavor profile from Chinese, Thai, or Korean soy sauce.
You could use low-sodium, tamari, or gluten-free versions. It imparts a hint of fruitiness and complexity to the sauce. You can find sake at Asian grocery stores with an alcohol license, or at any major liquor stores. This is Japanese sweet rice wine. It adds a delicate sweetness and fragrance and gives the sauce a nice luster. Sugar adds sweetness and balances the savory taste of the teriyaki sauce.
It is also crucial to give the sauce its sticky texture. We don’t use honey or maple syrup because they have a strong flavor. But, if that’s your preference, go ahead but take care as it burns easily. If you can’t consume alcohol, please read the substitution options in my sake and mirin pantry pages. I also included specific substitutions in the recipe card below.