With just 4 simple ingredients, you can make a deliciously easy Teriyaki Sauce to share with the kids. Try it with stir-fries, chicken, shrimp, and rice dishes.
Years ago, when I was developing the recipes for my cookbook Dinnertime SOS, I included this easy Teriyaki Sauce as a flavorful addition to rice, chicken, and shrimp dishes. I wanted to add it to my website now since I have refined the technique so the texture is now more similar to the store-bought kind…and the flavor is SO much better.
This homemade sauce requires just 4 ingredients and about 10 minutes. It’s easy, flavorful, and one of our favorite sauces and dips for kids.
You can adjust it for allergies as needed and serve it with a range of dishes including stir-fries, stir-fry noodles, chicken and rice, and more.
(You may also like my Cucumber Yogurt Sauce, Cauliflower Cheese Sauce, Cheese Sauce for Broccoli, and easy Peanut Sauce for more flavorful sauce options.)
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Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to make this teriyaki simple sauce to ensure you have what you need on hand.
- Reduced-sodium soy sauce: This is the base of the teriyaki sauce. I prefer to use reduced-sodium soy sauce here to keep the sauce from becoming too salty. To make this gluten-free, use tamari, which has similar flavors.
- Maple syrup: To balance out the soy sauce, we add maple syrup for sweetness. You can also use honey for kids over age two.
- Ginger: I like to use fresh (or frozen fresh) ginger root here to add a lot of flavor that works well in the mix with the other ingredients. If you freeze the fresh ginger root, it is easier to grate.
- Garlic: Using fresh garlic adds delicious flavor to this easy Teriyaki Sauce. In a pinch, you can use powdered dried garlic, though it is less flavorful.
- Cornstarch: You can optionally mix cornstarch with cold water and add it to the sauce to make a thicker final sauce.
- Sesame seeds: These are optional for texture and additional flavor, but recommended.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Below is an overview of how to make this easy Teriyaki Sauce so you know what to expect from the process. Scroll down to the end of the post for the full information, including the amounts and the timing.
Step 1. Add the soy sauce, maple syrup, grated garlic, and grated ginger to a jar. Stir.
Step 2. To thicken the sauce, add to a pot. Stir in cornstarch slurry and simmer to thicken.
TIP: The flavors meld as the sauce cools, so try to let it cool at least slightly. (That is, it may taste very salty right out of the pot, but as it sits, the flavors balance out.)
Foods to Serve with Teriyaki Sauce
Try this easy sauce with rice, Boiled Broccoli, Pan-Seared Chicken, rice, Chicken Fritters, Chicken Bites, Salmon Bites, Stir Fry Noodles, Baked Tofu, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s a simple mixture with equal parts soy sauce and sweetener, like maple syrup or honey. It also has additional flavor from ginger and garlic.
After three rounds of testing, I find the 1:1 ratio of soy sauce to maple syrup to be the ideal mixture to have a pleasant, not too salty or sweet sauce. Feel free to change this if you want to, but know this is my recommendation.
Try offering it in a small dip bowl so the kids can control how much goes onto their food to start. And model how you like to eat it in front of them so they can copy what you do.
How to Store
Store the cooled Teriyaki Sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month
Best Tips for Success
- Skip the cornstarch step, if desired, and simply stir the other ingredients together. The sauce will be thinner, but still flavorful.
- Skip the sesame seeds if needed for an allergy.
- To make this gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
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Add the soy sauce and maple syrup to a jar.
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Use a microplane to grate in the garlic and ginger. Stir.
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Optional, but recommended for a thicker sauce: Add mixture to a pot over low heat and bring to a simmer.
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Meanwhile, add the cornstarch to a small bowl with 1 tablespoon water. Stir to dissolve the cornstarch.
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Stir in the cornstarch mixture and whisk to thicken the sauce. Simmer for 2 minutes, remove from heat, and let cool.
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Stir in sesame seeds, if desired.
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(If you skip the heating and skip cornstarch and simply mix the other ingredients together, the sauce will be less thick but still yummy.)
- Store the cooled sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month.
- Skip the cornstarch step, if desired, and simply stir the other ingredients together. The sauce will be thinner, but still flavorful.
- Skip the sesame seeds if needed for an allergy.
- To make this gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
Serving: 2 tablespoons, Calories: 37kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 0.3g, Saturated Fat: 0.04g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 288mg, Potassium: 56mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 0.1IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 19mg, Iron: 0.2mg