Teriyaki sauce

Tips: Making the best teriyaki sauce

With its sweet and umami flavours, teriyaki sauce is suitable for several delicious dishes. Read below for some of our best tips to get the best result!

Alternative ingredients for mirin

If you do not have mirin, you can still make a tasty teriyaki sauce. Mix some sherry or sweet white wine with a bit of sugar to capture mirin’s sweet and deep flavour. You can also make an alcohol-free alternative by mixing apple cider vinegar and sugar or rice vinegar and sugar.

Meal-prep and store it properly

Make a large batch of teriyaki sauce to save time when you need it. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight glass or plastic container. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks to keep it fresh. For longer storage, freeze the sauce in an ice cube tray and then store the cubes in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. This ensures you have delicious teriyaki sauce on hand whenever you need it.

Balancing flavours

While the honey and brown sugar add a lovely depth and sweetness, make sure to taste as you go and adjust according to your preference. If it is too sweet, you can balance it out with a little more tamari soy or a splash of rice vinegar for some acidity.

Prepare a homemade teriyaki sauce

Do your meals a big favour and make this delicious teriyaki sauce. With a glossy finish and rich flavours, it is the perfect condiment for noodles, rice, vegetables, meat, and much more. Teriyaki is a gem of Japanese cuisine and is a must-have in any kitchen, letting you flavour quick dishes and fancy sides with just one simple sauce.

Perfect mix of sweet, savoury, and umami flavours

Bring a touch of elegance to any dish with our teriyaki recipe. The classic ingredients from Japanese cuisine create a base that has a little bit of everything from sweet honey and brown sugar to savoury soy sauce and tangy mirin. This blend allows the natural sweetness to caramelise during cooking, while the umami from soy deepens the flavour. Subtle hints of ginger add a spicy kick, elevating the overall taste and making this sauce a perfect complement to a wide array of dishes.

What is teriyaki sauce?

Teriyaki sauce is derived from the Japanese words “teri,” meaning shine, and “yaki,” which refers to grilling. It is often used for marinating and glazing meats and vegetables and as a dipping sauce. It is popular in various Asian-inspired dishes as well as for barbecuing. Traditionally, this sauce was a simple blend of soy sauce, sake or mirin, and sugar, used primarily as a light marinade and glaze for grilled fish. Today, however, the version we know best has undergone a significant transformation. It was adapted by Japanese immigrants in America to appeal to local palates, adding, for example, ginger and brown sugar, resulting in a thicker and sweeter sauce like the texture in our recipe.

Discover the many uses for teriyaki sauce

Picture succulent salmon marinated in teriyaki and then grilled to a perfect glaze. For a quick dinner and a delicious weeknight meal, stir-fry your favourite vegetables with slices of chicken or beef in teriyaki sauce and serve over steamed rice or noodles.

Use it for your next barbecue night, marinating beef, onion, and sweet pepper skewers in teriyaki. You can also prepare teriyaki-glazed tofu, baked or pan-fried until crispy, adding a flavourful punch to salads or stir-fries.

For a creative twist, use teriyaki sauce on homemade pizza, replacing traditional tomato sauce with teriyaki and topping with mozzarella, chicken, and red onions. Or transform classic burgers by mixing teriyaki sauce into the patties.

Check out some of our recipes from Asian cuisine: maki sushi with salmon, tuna, or turbot, nigiri with fish or avocado, or Vietnamese pho.

Add your own touch

Consider adding lemon or orange zest to introduce a bright, citrusy note that pairs well with the sweetness of the brown sugar and honey. If you enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a small amount of finely chopped chilli pepper would add a warm, spicy layer that balances the sweetness.

You can also infuse the sauce with fresh garlic or fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary as it simmers to bring in subtle herbal notes. This will be delicious with meats like chicken or pork. Adding a splash of rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar can introduce a tangy contrast to the sweet ingredients. For a fruity touch, replace some of the water with fruit juices such as pineapple or apple juice. It adds extra flavour and helps the sauce caramelise better.