Asian Sauces

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

Name: Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 13 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce; 1/4 cup water; 3 tbsp honey; 1 tbsp rice vinegar; 2 garlic cloves, grated; 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 2 tbsp cold water

Glossy homemade teriyaki sauce with soy sauce, honey, garlic and ginger, thickened in about 8 minutes. Great for chicken, salmon and rice bowls.

By The Vehama Kitchen Published October 16, 2026

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 8 mins
Total: 13 mins
Makes: About 1 cup

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Homemade Teriyaki Sauce — Glossy homemade teriyaki sauce with soy sauce, honey, garlic and ginger, thickened in about 8 minutes

Homemade teriyaki takes less time than a trip to the store and lets you control the sweetness and salt. Soy sauce and honey make the base, fresh garlic and ginger add depth, and a little cornstarch gives the glossy coating you want on chicken or salmon.

The sauce thickens more as it cools, so take it off the heat when it just coats the back of a spoon.

Ingredient substitutions

Soy sauce → tamari (gluten-free) or coconut aminos (sweeter, less salty)
Honey → brown sugar or maple syrup
Rice vinegar → apple cider vinegar

Flavor variations

Spicy teriyaki: add 1 tsp chili flakes or sriracha.
Pineapple teriyaki: replace the water with pineapple juice.

Tips and troubleshooting

Always mix cornstarch with cold water first, or it will form lumps.
If the sauce gets too thick, loosen it with a spoonful of water.

Storage and food safety

Refrigerate in a sealed jar for up to 1 week.
Reheat gently and add a splash of water if it has thickened too much.

What to serve it with

Chicken thighs and stir-fries
Salmon and tofu
Rice bowls and noodles

Recipe