Go Back
+ servings
Teriyaki sauce dripping off a spoon into a jar.
Print Recipe
5 from 188 votes

3 Ingredient Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

This easy homemade teriyaki sauce is made with just three ingredients and is ready in only 10 minutes! Pair this thick Japanese teriyaki sauce with any protein and vegetable or use as a marinade or glaze!
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time8 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Sauces
Cuisine: Asian, Japanese
Servings: 6
Calories: 70kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Boil: Add all the ingredients to a sauce pan and heat over medium high heat uncovered. Once it comes to a boil, lower to medium heat and let it gently boil until it's thickened and reduced to your liking. Keep an eye on it as it can burn due to the high sugar content.
    Teriyaki sauce boiling and reducing in a pot.
  • Check thickness: To test that it's thickened properly, drop a small amount of sauce onto a plate and let it cool. Check to see if it's reduced enough to your liking by running a spoon or finger through it.
    If it's too thin, boil for longer. If it's too thick, add a teaspoon of water at a time.
    Teriyaki sauce properly reduced and thickened on a plate.
  • Store: Allow the sauce to cool then store in an airtight container in the fridge. Use within 5 days. This makes about ⅔ cup of sauce.
    Homemade Japanese teriyaki sauce dripping off a spoon.

How to use teriyaki sauce:

  • Stir fries: Add the sauce at the end once your protein and vegetables are cooked.
  • Glaze: Apply at the end and be sure to watch carefully as it can easily burn due to the sugar.
  • Dip: Great for dumplings, chicken tenders, wings, lettuce wraps, egg rolls, etc.

Notes

  1. This makes about ⅔ cup of sauce.
  2. Store in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Substitutions: 
  • Mirin - Substitute with sake or white wine with 1 teaspoon of sugar since mirin is slightly sweet.
  • Soy sauce - For a gluten free version, substitute with tamari or liquid aminos. 
  • Sugar - Substitute with honey, brown sugar, or agave.
Variations:
Though not traditional, feel free to add any of the following for added flavor:
  • 1 teaspoon - grated ginger or garlic
  • 1 teaspoon - sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon - rice wine vinegar for more tang and acidity
  • 1 teaspoon - red pepper flakes for spicy teriyaki sauce
 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 70kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 573mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg