A Japanese sauce that is sweet, savory, and has a glossy appearances, commonly used as a marinade, glaze, or dipping sauce for a variety of dishes, particularly grilled or broiled meats and fish.

The key ingredients in teriyaki sauce typically include soy sauce, mirin (a sweet Japanese rice wine), sugar, and sake (a Japanese rice wine). These ingredients are simmered together to create a thick, flavorful sauce.

Teriyaki sauce is known for its perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, with the sugar caramelizing during cooking to create a slightly sticky texture. It’s often used in Japanese cuisine to add depth and flavor to dishes like teriyaki chicken, teriyaki salmon, and beef teriyaki. Here’s Japanese Teriyaki Sauce, and here’s how you make it!

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)

1/4 cup sake

2 tablespoons sugar

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Stir well to dissolve the sugar.
2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to simmer gently for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering sauce, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
4. Continue to simmer the sauce for another 2-3 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly and intensify in flavor.
5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the teriyaki sauce cool to room temperature. It will thicken slightly as it cools. Serve the teriyaki sauce as a glaze or marinade for your favorite dishes.
6. Any leftover teriyaki sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

TOP 10 TIPS AND TRICKS IN MAKING TERIYAKI SAUCE

1. Use High-Quality Ingredients: Since teriyaki sauce has few ingredients, using high-quality soy sauce, mirin, and sake can significantly enhance the flavor of the sauce.
2. Adjust Sweetness and Saltiness: Depending on your preference, you can adjust the amount of sugar or soy sauce to make the sauce sweeter or saltier.
3. Add Umami: Enhance the umami flavor of the sauce by adding a splash of fish sauce or a dashi stock.
4. Fresh Ginger and Garlic: Using fresh ginger and garlic can add a depth of flavor to the sauce that powdered or pre-minced versions may lack.
5. Thickening Agent: If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) towards the end of cooking to thicken the sauce.
6. Simmer to Reduce: Allowing the sauce to simmer and reduce helps intensify the flavors and thicken the sauce naturally.
7. Marinate Before Cooking: For meats, marinating them in teriyaki sauce for a few hours or overnight can enhance the flavor and tenderness.
8. Brush or Glaze: When grilling or broiling, brush or glaze the meat with teriyaki sauce during the cooking process to create a shiny, flavorful exterior.
9. Use as a Dip: Teriyaki sauce can also be used as a dipping sauce for sushi, spring rolls, or grilled vegetables.
10. Store Properly: Store homemade teriyaki sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.