Teriyaki Sauce Recipe - Easy! Only 4 Ingredients

The universally loved (at least in my home) Teriyaki Sauce is much easier to make than you think. In fact, it's one of the easiest and simplest sauces to prepare.

No need to overpay for a bottle of Teriyaki Sauce that you can whip up in minutes. All you need to do is simmer a few ingredients until it's reduced to your liking. That’s it!

What is Teriyaki Sauce?

Teriyaki Sauce is a sweet and savory soy-sauce based sauce that is arguably the most well known in Japanese cuisine. It's often drizzled over grilled fish, chicken, beef, tofu, and even used as a stir-fry sauce.

A trip to the grocery store will no doubt include sightings of Teriyaki Sauce lining store shelves. The seemingly endless options, rows upon rows, are dizzying and enough to pull your hair out.

How is it possible to pick the right one? What's my favorite brand you ask? There's only one: homemade.

Believe me when I say homemade Teriyaki Sauce is a thousand times better than store-bought sauce. Besides the long list of ingredients you can't pronounce, store-bought sauce is often too sweet or too salty and sometimes both, with additives that contribute to an artificial taste.

Uses for Teriyaki Sauce

We always have a batch of Teriyaki Sauce on hand because of its versatility.  Drizzled over chicken, salmon, beef or tofu gives you a weeknight meal with minimal prep. 

Use it as a glaze for grilled chicken wings or yakitori skewers. Brush it on at the end of cooking and allow it to caramelize before serving.

A tablespoon with a splash of water added to stir fry instantly provides all the flavoring you need.  Use it as a dipping sauce for anything that could use an umami boost.

Finish off sushi rolls or baked rolls with a light drizzle over the top.

Try it out with one of the most requested meals at our house, Teriyaki Chicken Donburi with Crispy Skin.

What Type of Soy Sauce Should I Use?

In all our recipes, we use Kikkoman Less Sodium Soy Sauce and this recipe is no exception. However, any brand of low sodium soy sauce will do.

Since the sauce will be reduced quite a bit, regular soy sauce will make your Teriyaki Sauce way too salty.

How Much Should I Thicken?

I prefer a Teriyaki Sauce that's not too thick and not too runny, similar to the viscosity of maple syrup. This consistency makes the sauce more versatile.

You can drizzle or brush it on meats or vegetables. You also have the flexibility to thin it out and use it as a sauce in stir-fry.

Ultimately, the consistency is up to you. Simmer the sauce until it reaches your desired thickness. Keep in mind it will get a little thicker once refrigerated.

How to Store Teriyaki Sauce

Save any leftover sauce in an air-tight container for up to a week in the refrigerator. The sauce will slightly thicken in the fridge. Loosen it up with a tiny bit of water if necessary.

Store it in your freezer if you won't be using it right away. Freeze the sauce in an ice cube tray and you'll have individual portions at your disposal.

How to Make Teriyaki Sauce

This is a great recipe to double or triple so you always have it on hand. You only need 4 ingredients to make a basic Teriyaki Sauce.

Be sure to keep an eye on it at all times. Once the sauce begins to reduce, it thickens quickly.

Now that you have a batch of Teriyaki Sauce ready, try it on our Air Fryer Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken or Furikake Salmon recipes!