Japanese · Sauce · All year
Teriyaki Sauce
4.6 · community
2m
Prep
10m
Cook
Easy
Level
60
Energy
Real teriyaki is four ingredients in equal parts — soy, sake, mirin, sugar — reduced to a lacquer. No cornstarch, no garlic powder, no bottle.
What you need
Ingredients
Servings
6
Before you start
Mise en place
Yield: About 250 ml
Equipment
Small saucepan
Whisk
2 steps
Method
1
Stir everything in a small saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
1 min — timer available in cooking mode
2
Simmer 6–8 minutes until reduced by a third and thick enough to coat a spoon with a slow drip. It thickens more as it cools — stop early.
7 min — timer available in cooking mode
Why this works
The 1:1:1:1 ratio is the recipe. Memorize it and you'll never buy the bottle again.
From the pass
Chef's notes
Taste before serving and adjust salt and acid — the last 30 seconds of seasoning matter more than any single ingredient.
Adapt it
Dietary swaps
Gluten-free
Use tamari 1:1.
Afterwards
Keep, reheat & pair
Storage
Airtight jar in the fridge, 3–5 days. Press plastic wrap onto the surface of starch-thickened sauces to stop a skin forming.
Freezing
Most sauces freeze 2–3 months; freeze in ice-cube trays for single portions. Emulsified butter/egg sauces don't freeze — they break on thawing.
Reheating
Reheat gently over low heat, whisking; butter- and egg-based sauces split when boiled. Loosen with a spoonful of warm water or stock.
Make ahead
Most sauces keep 3–5 days refrigerated and freeze in ice-cube trays for instant single portions. Emulsified butter sauces are best made within the hour.
Wine pairing
Follows the dish it dresses.
Beer pairing
Follows the dish it dresses.
On the plate
Serve it with
Sides
Glazed salmon or chicken thighs
Brushed on grilled anything
Drizzled over rice bowls
Garnish
A final swirl of butter or oil
Fresh herbs
Taste map
Flavour profile
Sweet
1
Salty
3
Sour
2
Bitter
0
Umami
4
Heat
0
Per serving
Nutrition
60
kcal
1g
protein
12g
carbs
0g
fat
3g
fiber
10g
sugar
520mg
sodium
Just for you
Your notes
Keep exploring
Related