Teriyaki sauce is such a worldwide popular Japanese sauce because it can make nearly anything taste super delicious and it can be used to flavour so many different dishes! It goes well with fish, beef, chicken, noodles, rice, and even burgers.
4 ingredients to make the best Teriyaki sauce
This delicious teriyaki sauce reflects the philosophy of simplicity of Japanese cuisine. It is way better than store bought bottles of Teriyaki sauce! And it requires only four ingredients: Soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar.
The Golden Ratio of mixing Teriyaki sauce
The Golden ratio of things is called “Ogonhi” in Japanese and there are many. Ogonhi of 4 ingredients of Teriyaki sauce is 2:2:2:1. 2 Soy sauce, 2 Sake, 2 Mirin and 1 Sugar. Does not matter what you use to measure. If I am making a small amount, I use a teaspoon with that ratio. When I am making a bigger batch, I use a ladle or a cup with the ratio.
How to make Teriyaki Sauce
It is super simple if you can get access to all ingredients. Sake and mirin might be hard to get for some people, but I see mirin at local supermarkets and sake for cooking can be bought online. Mix them and heat up to reduce to 70%. Done. You will never want to go back to bottled teriyaki sauce with preservatives and additives. I grew up with homemade teriyaki sauce and never bought a bottle because it is not what Japanese people buy, they make it at home.
How to store and how long does it last?
It will keep for a few weeks in a container or a jar like mason jar in the fridge. I use a Weck jar. I usually just make a small amount and use it all in one go. But if you want to save cooking time, I would make a batch and keep it in the fridge.
Teriyaki sauce is NOT just for “Teriyaki Chicken”
“Teriyaki” is a Japanese cooking technique. Teri means lustre or shine and yaki means fry or grill. The sauce is reduced and thickened in the cooking process and it gives the lustre or shine on the ingredients surface. And the teriyaki sauce is not just for Chicken! Teriyaki sauce is used for “Teriyaki salmon” “Buri teriyaki” “Teriyaki meat balls” “Teriyaki Rice Burger” and more.
Variations of teriyaki sauce
You can also change the consistency and the thickness of the sauce to make it suit different dishes so it’s really super versatile! I love ginger flavour so I usually add sliced ginger and crushed garlic to give basic teriyaki sauce a nice flavour.
It’s so easy to make so you never need to buy the bottled teriyaki sauce again! Bottled teriyaki sauce that you can buy in grocery stores is full of nasty preservatives and additives and it’s NOT Japanese! Luckily, this recipe is authentically Japanese and is what I grew up making at home in Japan. Unlike store-bought teriyaki sauce which have many unnecessary ingredients.
Here is my recipe for Teriyaki sauce and If you liked it, please rate it and leave a comment below. Also, don’t forget to follow me on Youtube, Pinterest, Facebook , Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with all the latest happenings on Chopstick Chronicles. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #ChopstickChronicles so I can see your wonderful creations!
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients into a small sauce pan.
- Cook over medium-high heat and stir continuously until all the sugar has dissolved.
- Turn the heat down to low and simmer for about 5 minutes to reduce to 70 % and thicken.
- Remove from heat and use on whatever dish or store in a jar/container and leave in the fridge.
Hello, thank you for your recipes, I love them!
I live in a small city in Italy and it’s very difficult find sake…..what else can I use?
Best regards!
Hi Paula, try to substitute sake with sherry 😀
This is fantastic Shihoko, I just had to pin this for future reference. Now I’ll never be without it 🙂
Thank you. Miss Food Fairy 😀
Looks great. How long will it keep in the refrigerator?
Hi Becca, It will keep 2-3 weeks in a fridge 😀
Hi,
Is there a type of soy sauce you use?
I use Kikkoman usually. It is in the shop 😀
Great thank you !
thank you too 🙂
Japanese cuisine is much healthier compared to American cuisine. So go with the original
Thank you for your comment 😀
I made this last night… seriously, it was the best chicken I ever had because of that simple 4 ingredient sauce! It was so much better than the store-bought sauce I couldn’t believe it! (And so easy to make too!
Thank you Michele 😀 Yay homemade teriyaki sauce rock!
This Teriyaki sauce is so simple and so delicious!
It is isn’t it? Thank you Nellie 😀
Teriyaki sauce is SO good. I love to use it on the grill! I love how simple this recipe is.
Thank you April. It is simple and versatile 😀
I’m becoming more and more aware of preservatives etc in pre-made stuff, so it’s great to know I can make this myself!
Interesting that you add sake AND mirin!
Thanks for the tips – very interesting post!
Thanks for this great, simple recipe. I love teriyaki sauce on my salmon, chicken and more. This is wonderful.
That’s what I do too! Thank you Liz
What a great homemade sauce! It’s perfect for so many recipes.
Thank you Christina 😀
Teri – yaki … thanks for the meaning of the word Shihoko.
I think I’ll call it “Teriyummy” though.
Arigatou Clayton 😀 Love your humour ! you are funny 😂 and yes it is yummy 😋 so we should call it Teriyummy indeed!
Wonderful teriyaki sauce recipe! Ratios are exactly how my Japanese grandmother used to make this sauce. I agree that adding a little garlic and ginger makes the basic sauce even more special! Love the little screw-top glass jar with the vine pattern that appears in the first photo. Can you let me know where to buy a similar one or the manufacture’s name? Much appreciated 🙂
Hi Carol, Thank you for your lovely comment on the sauce. Yes, most Japanese make their own teriyaki sauce 😀 My mother taught me the ratio. That bottle was given by someone and not sure where you can buy those. But I saw them at Kmart. Are you in Australia?
Thank you for your quick reply. I live near Los Angeles, California. Would love to see Australia someday- it is on my travel wish list. You’ve definitely inspired me to go back to my cultural roots and incorporate more Japanese dishes in my weekly menu planning, Thank you for making Japanese cooking very “do-able” while keeping the essence of traditional recipes. Keep up the terrific work 😊!
Hi Carol, You are welcome. I think those bottles are Italian made 😀
I’ve never made my own Teriyaki sauce, but now I love this recipe and how easy it is! Can’t wait to use this on your Teriyaki Chicken recipe 🙂
Ohhh Thank you Aimee 😀
I never knew how easy it was to make teriyaki sauce! Thank you for the recipe and tutorial 🙂
You are welcoe Taryn 😀
Love your recipes ! May I ask what sake you are using?
Hi Stacey, I use sake for cooking that you can get from Japanese grocery stores 😀
I never even considered making my own teriyaki sauce before, so this is perfect for me! I had no idea it was so easy to do and now I’ll be making it all the time! Your photos make a great tutorial 🙂
Thank you Sues 😀
I love Teriyaki and your homemade version sounds delish! Thanks for a shout-out for my Sugar-Free Teriyaki Sauce!
You are welcome and thank you too 😀
What mirin should I use? If I can’t find Takara as they only have Tanaka. What brand was yours? Sake is expensive here so sherry will taste the same or similar?
Hi El the brand I have in my pantry at the moment is “Hinode” brand. I don’t have any particular brand that I prefer, but more importantly, buy real Mirin NOT Mirin style seasoning. Mirin is made from glutinous rice, rice koji and Shochu mixed and matured for about three months and then filtered. The sweetness is produced while aging. On the other hand Mirin style seasoning, the sweetness made by adding and mixing sugar, syrup and glucose.
+ orange zest
Thank you for your suggestion Victor. I usually add some grated ginger 😀
I’m excited to try this recipe, but the one I normally follow includes chicken stock – do you ever add stock before reducing?
Hi Jeremy, No. Adding chicken stock does not sound authentic Japanese recipe, I am afraid.
Also (not sure if last comment posted – about adding chicken stock?), do you use dry or sweet sake?
Hi Jeremy, I use Sake for cooking 😀
Hello Shihoko,
thank you very much, I publish this recipe on my french blog : La tendresse en cuisine for Cooking for peace. I was so happy to taste this wonderful sauce !
This is the national day of Japan today 🙂
Have a nice day !
The national day of Japan 🇯🇵 Appropriate day to make Teriyaki sauce 😀