Use this sauce as the sweet and savory base for your next Japanese-inspired meal!
Ah, teriyaki sauce. Where would I be without it? As someone who cooks a lot of Japanese food, I can tell you that a good teriyaki sauce recipe makes all the difference. In fact, I actually have a few different teriyaki sauce recipes I use, depending on the dish, but this version is the perfect all-around pick for any meat or veggie. I use this on everything from marinating chicken to glazing asparagus. It’s pretty much perfect.
Teriyaki sauce blends sweet and savory flavors with plenty of umami notes, thanks to the combo of soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger. The sauce looks beautiful, with a rich, glossy texture that clings perfectly to whatever you use it on, like grilled meats, stir-fries, and especially tofu. So the next time you’re craving teriyaki, leave the bottled stuff on the store shelves and try whipping up this simple recipe yourself.
Is Teriyaki Sauce Healthy?
Teriyaki sauce doesn’t offer a ton of nutritional benefits, save for the antioxidants present in honey, garlic, and ginger. Sad to say that honey loses much of its antioxidant properties when cooked, so that benefit is pretty much lost. This sauce can be high in salt and sugar, which are things to consider. I prefer to use low-sodium soy sauce, and honey has a lower glycemic index than white sugar (plus, it’s all natural). This sauce is also naturally gluten-free, provided you use gluten-free soy sauce.
Fresh Is Best
Some sauce recipes simply use ground herbs and spices, and while that’s good in a pinch, I recommend choosing fresh ingredients when you can. Using fresh garlic and ginger in your teriyaki sauce makes a significant difference in flavor. Fresh ingredients provide a vibrant, robust taste that ground or dried versions just can’t replicate. Take the fresh ginger, for instance. The grating process releases aromatic oils that give the sauce a spicy kick. And the minced garlic does the same, infusing the sauce with a deep, savory flavor.
How To Make Ahead And Store
Feel free to make this sauce ahead of time. It will stay fresh in your fridge for about 1 week if stored in an airtight container.
Serving Suggestions
Teriyaki sauce is super versatile and pairs nicely with a variety of proteins and veggies, like Grilled Brussels Sprouts. Of course, another great use is for glazing grilled chicken, beef, or fish (like this Asian Salmon With Soy And Ginger) for a delicious main course. I love it on Crispy And Healthy Baked Tofu as well. For a complete Japanese meal, serve it alongside a Broccoli Stir-Fry With Ginger And Sesame. And don’t forget some Steamed Rice!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, water, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is nearly simmering.
- In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Pour this slurry into the saucepan while stirring the sauce continuously.
- Continue to cook the sauce over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it thickens to a glaze-like consistency, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let the sauce cool before using or storing.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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