Teriyaki Sauce brings bold umami flavor, glossy shine, and balanced sweetness to your favorite Japanese dishes. This authentic Japanese teriyaki sauce recipe combines soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar into a rich glaze that transforms grilled meats, seafood, tofu, and vegetables.
- Course: Sauce / Side Dish
- Cuisine: Japanese recipe
- Region: Japan
Unlike thick American-style bottled versions, authentic Japanese teriyaki sauce relies on natural reduction for its signature shine and depth of flavor.
Teriyaki (照り焼きソース) comes from the Japanese words “teri” (shine) and “yaki” (grilled or broiled). In Japan, teriyaki is more of a cooking technique than a bottled sauce. The glaze forms as the sauce reduces and caramelizes over heat, creating that irresistible lacquered finish.
Why you will love this Japanese teriyaki sauce:
This recipe is popular because it’s:
- Quick (ready in under 15 minutes)
- Made with pantry staples
- Naturally dairy-free
- Versatile for chicken, salmon, tofu, and vegetables
- Better than store-bought teriyaki sauce
Recipe for 4 Servings
INGREDIENTS FOR TERIYAKI SAUCE
- Soy sauce – traditional Japanese shoyu for umami depth
- Mirin – sweet rice wine that adds shine and balance
- Sake – Japanese rice wine for complexity
- Sugar – white or brown sugar for sweetness and glaze
HOW TO MAKE TERIYAKI SAUCE
- Combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar in a small saucepan.
- Place over medium heat and stir until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cook until slightly thickened and glossy. Sprinkle in some sesame seeds, if desires. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool before using as a glaze, marinade, or dipping sauce.
DIETARY INFORMATION
- Vegetarian
- Dairy-free
- Can be made vegan (most mirin is vegan; check label)
- Can be made gluten-free (use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce)
Low-calorie option: Reduce sugar slightly or use a natural low-calorie sweetener like monk fruit.
Alcohol-free option: Substitute sake with water or low-sodium broth and use alcohol-free mirin.
Authentic Japanese Teriyaki Sauce – Quick & Easy Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup mirin
- ¼ cup sake
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 tsp sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- Add soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar to a small saucepan.
- Heat over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves.
- Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 8–10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and let cool before serving.
- Sprinkle in some sesame seeds, if desired.
Notes
Total Fat: 0g (0% DV)
Sodium: 900mg (39% DV)
Total Carbohydrates: 10g (4% DV)
Sugars: 9g
Protein: 2g (4% DV)
Recipe Tips
- Simmer gently—boiling too hard can make the sauce taste salty.
- The sauce thickens more as it cools.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze in small portions for meal prep.
- For thicker American-style teriyaki sauce, whisk 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water and simmer briefly.
Substitutions:
- Gluten-free: Use tamari or coconut aminos.
- Vegan: Ensure mirin contains no honey (most traditional versions do not).
- Lower sodium: Use low-sodium soy sauce.
- Paleo option: Substitute coconut aminos and skip sake.
Serving Ideas
This easy homemade teriyaki sauce pairs perfectly with:
- Teriyaki Chicken
- Teriyaki Salmon
- Teriyaki Tofu
- Grilled shrimp skewers
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Rice bowls and bento boxes
- Japanese grilled eggplant
Drizzle it over steamed jasmine rice or use it as a glaze for oven-baked chicken thighs.
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @wokwithsam on Instagram and hashtag it #wokwithsam.
