4-Ingredient Teriyaki Sauce Recipe (So Easy!)

Teriyaki sauce recipe in a small saucepan.

5 from 6 votes

4-Ingredient Teriyaki Sauce Recipe (So Easy!)

This 5-minute Teriyaki Sauce Recipe is ridiculously easy and tastes way better than store-bought. The perfect ratio of soy, sugar, and starch = glossy, flavorful teriyaki sauce in minutes. You’ll want to drizzle it on everything.

Prep Time2

Cook Time3

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Asian

Keyword: Homemade Teriyaki Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

Servings:

Author: Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD

Ingredients

¼ cup soy sauce
2 ½ tbsp brown sugar
1½ tsp cornstarch
2 tsp minced garlic about 2 cloves
½ tsp minced ginger optional

To Serve:

1 lb chicken, shrimp, beef, or tofu see notes

Instructions

In a small saucepan off of heat, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch garlic, and ginger to blend, along with 1/4 cup cold water.
Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring it to a strong simmer, then reduce to low.
Simmer 3 minutes more. Sauce will thicken to a thick glaze.

To Cook with Protein

Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add desired protein to the pan and cook until browned and fully cooked through, 4–7 minutes per side depending on cut and thickness.
Add prepared teriyaki sauce and stir until coated and glossy, about a minute.

Notes

This is enough teriyaki sauce for 1 lb of protein.

Full instructions for making Chicken Teriyaki are found in my Teriyaki Bowl recipe. (If you have extra time, you can use it as a Teriyaki Chicken Marinade too!)
Here are full instructions for making Teriyaki Shrimp.
And here's how to make Beef Teriyaki.

Tips:

The sauce thickens more as it sits.

It'll taste salty but it's meant to fully season the food it cooks with without using additional salt.

Nutrition