There’s something incredibly satisfying about making sweet teriyaki sauce from scratch especially when it takes just 10 minutes and uses pantry staples I always have on hand. I’ve made this easy teriyaki sauce recipe more times than I can count, tweaking the balance of soy sauce, brown sugar, and honey until it hit that perfect sweet-and-savory note.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make teriyaki sauce at home that tastes better than bottled versions, this honey teriyaki sauce is the one I reach for again and again.
Ingredient Roll Call
This honey teriyaki sauce keeps things simple, but every ingredient has a purpose.
Ingredients for Teriyaki Sauce
With only 6 ingredients, this recipe is so quick and easy to throw together while veggies are sautéing, or chicken breasts are grilling.
- Water ~ creates the base of the sauce
- Soy Sauce ~ brings that classic salty, umami backbone that makes teriyaki unmistakable
- Brown Sugar ~ adds richness and depth, giving the sauce its signature sweetness without tasting flat
- Honey ~ softens the edges and gives this sweet teriyaki sauce a glossy finish
- Ginger ~ adds a gentle warmth, while fresh garlic infuses the sauce with bold flavor
- garlic ~ Adds flavor you need
- Corn Starch ~ thickening hero, turning this into a silky sauce that clings beautifully to noodles, rice, and protein.
The Must-Haves
- Small bowl – for mixing the cornstarch slurry so it blends smoothly
- Saucepan – gives you even heat and control while thickening
- Whisk or spoon – keeps the sauce lump-free as it cooks
Let’s Make It (Quick Prep)
- Measure all ingredients so everything is ready to go
- Mince the garlic finely for even flavor
- Mix the cornstarch and water first and set it aside
Sweet Teriyaki Sauce - Stove Top Directions
- In a sauce pan combine water, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, ginger and garlic. In a separate bowl mix ¼ cup water with corn starch and add to your sauce pan. Over medium/high head stir constantly.
- As it gets warmer you will notice as you scrape the bottom of the pan the sauce getting thicker. Keep stirring! Soon the dark liquid will turn more opaque and thicken.
- Bring to a slow rolling boil and allow to boil for 2 minutes. Then remove from heat. Sauce will thicken as it cools. Store excess sauce in the refrigerator for later use.
Kitchen Secrets
Teriyaki sauce thickens quickly once the cornstarch is added, so don’t walk away from the stove. Constant stirring keeps the sauce smooth and prevents clumping.
If the sauce feels slightly thin when you remove it from the heat, don’t worry—that’s normal. As it cools, the texture settles into that classic honey teriyaki consistency.
Using fresh garlic instead of garlic powder gives this sauce a cleaner, brighter flavor that really shines in simple dishes like noodles or rice bowls.
Fridge & Freezer Magic
Store this easy teriyaki sauce recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s perfect for quick weeknight meals and reheats easily on the stovetop or in the microwave with a quick stir.
Kitchen Q&A & Got Questions?
Not as written, since traditional soy sauce contains gluten. You can swap in a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari if needed.
Yes! It works beautifully as a quick marinade for chicken, steak, or vegetables before cooking.
It likely cooked a bit too long. Next time, remove it from the heat as soon as it reaches a gentle boil and thickens.
This recipe will last 5-6 days if stores properly in the refrigerator.
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce is perfect on a rice bowl with veggies, chicken, or steak. Add a little of the sauce when you are cooking each of these ingredients to add extra tangy sweet flavor to your dish.
This question depends on how much Stir Fry you are making. I alway start with ¼ cup of sauce and add more to taste. You don't want to over do it. Less is more and work up to the flavor you like.
Well of course we think ours is! But truly it depends on what you like. Do you like a sweeter sauce, or thinner sauce? Go with what you like. After all YOU are eating it!
Soy Sauce is the main ingredient in Teriyaki Sauce. Where Soy Sauce is a thin liquid with a salty taste, Teriyaki Sauce is thicker and sweetened with Brown Sugar and honey.
Unfortunately these two sauces are very different in taste and consistency. Teriyaki Sauce would not work well as a substitute for Soy Sauce in a recipe even though Soy Sauce is a main ingredient.
How to Use Teriyaki Sauce
Now that I've shown you have easy it can be to make this delicious sauce, I want to make sure you know how to use it.
As I stir fry up Teriyaki veggies I will add this homemade sauce towards the end and give a quick saute. It's a quick favorite for use.
A simple Rice bowl is also a favorite of my picky eater. With plain white rice he will pour his sauce on top. Yum! Also, here's a fun Japanese Ginger Salad Dressing Recipe.
But that's not all, I've got a recipe everyone is loving, it's Air Fryer Spam an easy snack or side to your dinner or lunch plate. Then add Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken, Teriyaki Beef, Huli Huli Chicken, or even Teriyaki Noodles. Now you've got a complete meal which choices to spare.
Teriyaki Sauce is also perfect on noodles! Who knew! Teriyaki noodles recipe is the best for a quick lunch or after school snack.
Make some of your own with this recipe. You will be forever changed, I promise.
I often make Teriyaki Chicken or Teriyaki Beef too. Both are tried and true recipes that are excellent and kid approved. And don't forget you can also make Teriyaki Vegetables too. So good with a hint of sweet and full savory flavors.
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We know you like this recipe, so how about other great recipes?
- Teriyaki Chicken Fingers
- Ginger Salad Dressing
- Japanese Rice Bowl
- Teriyaki Noodles
- Mongolian Beef
- Cashew Chicken
- Lettuce Chicken Wraps
Easy Teriyaki Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Cup water
- ¼ Cup Soy Sauce
- 4 Tbls Brown Sugar
- 1 Tbls Honey - *Heaping
- ½ teaspoon Ginger
- 1 clove garlic
- ¼ cup water
- 2 Tbls Corn Starch
Instructions
Stove Top Directions
- In a small bowl mix ¼ cup water and corn starch and set aside
- In a sauce pan combine over medium/high heat: 1 cup water, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, garlic, and ginger. Stir to combine.
- Add corn starch and water mixture to sauce pan. Stir
- Continue to stir over medium/high heat. Bring to a slow rolling boil and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Sauce will thicken as it cools. Store in refrigerator.
- Serve over rice, with vegetables, chicken, steak, or any other dish you want a sweet tangy teriyaki sauce on. Enjoy!
Instant Pot Directions
- In the Instant Pot add 1 Cup COLD water, Brown Sugar, Garlic, Ginger, and Soy Sauce and Stir.
- In a separate bowl combine ¼ Cup water and 2 Tbs Corn Starch and pour into Instant Pot
- Set Instant Pot to Manual (Pressure Cook) High Pressure for 0 (Zero) Minutes.
- Quick Release and Turn off Instant Pot. Open Lid and Stir
- Sauce is ready to be served over Rice, Noodles, Veggies, Steak, Chicken or Fish. Enjoy!
- *TIP~ It's Important and Necessary to use COLD water when making this recipe in the Instant Pot. Instant Pot should be room temperature as well. The Cornstarch will thicken immediately when opening releasing the pressure and opening the lid. Using warm or hot water will cause burn notice.
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.
Nutrition
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Brianna
Do you think this recipe would freeze well? Wanting to freeze so I always have some made and on hand.
Devour Dinner
Hi Brianna,
I actually freeze the leftovers in ice cube trays so I have a perfect amount to add when I stir fry veggies or noodles or whatever. I can add one or two depending on portion size. Works perfectly!
Leney
Went from reading this to shrimp teriyaki noodles in about 30 minutes. Loved the sauce. I never thought to make my own but will do so from now on. Thanks!
Devour Dinner
I love this! Yes, we love this sauce and it's so easy to make too. I bet it really make your shrimp teriyaki noodles amazing.
Nicolette
I love teriyaki sauce! I never thought about making my own. Great recipe!
Devour Dinner
Thanks Nicolette! You will love this recipe. It's amazing!
Vicki Belanger
I never thought it would be so easy to make my own teriyaki sauce - definitely giving this a try!
Devour Dinner
It's crazy how easy this recipe truly is. Makes me wonder why I would ever by a bottle!
Kristin's Peppermints and Cherries
I knew I would be pinning this recipe when I clicked on it! 😉 I have needed a teriyaki sauce recipe for quite some time, but I haven't bothered to look for one. All of your ingredients are staples, and I'm sure the sauce is delicious!
Devour Dinner
Hi Kristin! I love to use staples in all my recipes. It makes a recipe so much easier with those common ingredients you have. This sauce is delicious! Hope you enjoy it.
Mrs. SBF
I love making sauces from scratch. This recipe sounds delicious.
Shelley
Looks yummy as well as easy. I am a huge fan of easy recipes. Blessings
Edel
Wow! I love an easy recipe and this one is easy enough that I'll dare myself to make it. Thanks for sharing!
Devour Dinner
I love easy recipes too. This one makes me wonder why I would ever buy a bottled sauce, it's just so quick and easy and sooo delicious!
Chris
Your 1/2 tsp ginger... fresh, or dried/ground?
Devour Dinner
I use ground Ginger. But you could use Fresh if you prefer. I'd useless as the Fresh has much better flavor!