Talk about finger-lickin’ good… this teriyaki is one of my most popular homemade sauce recipes and is taking things up a notch.

Hand is pulling small spoon out of jar of teriyaki sauce.

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Once my teriyaki phase started, I knew a homemade version of this salty, sweet, tangy sauce was the only option I wanted to have for my favorite teriyaki dinners, like these saucy teriyaki noodles, with a little spice added.

And if you love making Asian-inspired homemade sauces that are incredibly versatile, just like my 5-star stir fry sauce recipe, then you’re gonna love this one, too.

Watch How It’s Made

mini bowls of ingredients for homemade teriyaki sauce

Reader review

4.97 (32 ratings)

So glad I found this recipe! Try to keep some in the frig, but it goes quickly because my family agrees it makes everything taste better!

– Leigh

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Let’s Make Spicy Teriyaki Sauce Step-By-Step

First, this version of teriyaki sauce is not the most authentic, and it is definitely Americanized.

Take a look at this authentic teriyaki sauce if you’re looking for a traditional sauce. The post explains that “teriyaki” actually translates to mean “luster” and “grilled,” referring to the cooking method, typically meaning grilled or pan-fried food with a shining glaze. Outside of Japan, the word teriyaki has come to refer to the actual sauce, not the cooking process.

Sauce pan with ingredients for teriyaki sauce with red pepper flakes on top.
Just add everything to a saucepan – except the corn starch.
Corn starch in small bowl with sauce.
Use water or remove some of the sauce to make a corn starch slurry.
Corn starch slurry in bowl.
Which means just stir it together before adding it back to the saucepan (this helps it incorporate smoothly)
Jar of Teriyaki Sauce in front of lettuce wrap.
Let the sauce simmer for several minutes until it has thickened to your desired consistency.

The possibilities are endless for this delicious, sweet, spicy, sticky sauce! Use it right away in your favorite vegetarian lettuce wraps, or make a super easy baked salmon dinner. Toss it with chicken wings for game day, or even roasted broccolini for your next side dish. You’ll never run out of ways to enjoy it!

Gray plate with three lettuce wraps and lime wedges next to small bowl of scallions.

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!

Spicy Teriyaki Sauce in jar with spoon.
4.97 (32 ratings)

Get the Recipe 10-Minute Spicy Teriyaki Sauce

Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 7 minutes
Servings: 8 servings (2 TBSP)
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Spice up your next meal with homemade Spicy Teriyaki Sauce. This easy and quick 10-minute recipe is made with chili garlic sauce for an added kick. It's excellent in stir fry, over chicken, fish, vegetarian wraps, or in a salad dressing!

Ingredients

  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons honey, omit or sub brown sugar to make vegan
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons chili garlic paste, or sub 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • ¾ teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 ½ Tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 1 Tablespoon corn starch, less for thinner sauce

Instructions
 

  1. In a saucepan, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, ginger, garlic, chili paste, sesame oil, and rice vinegar (all ingredients except for the corn starch and water).
    ½ cup soy sauce, ⅓ cup brown sugar, 2 Tablespoons honey, 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, 1 clove garlic, 2 teaspoons chili garlic paste, ¾ teaspoon sesame oil, 2 ½ Tablespoons rice vinegar
  2. Bring it to a low boil over medium heat and let the sugar dissolve for approximately 1-2 minutes.
  3. In a small bowl, stir together the water and cornstarch to make the cornstarch slurry. Once it's combined, pour it into the saucepan and whisk to incorporate it into the sauce. Bring back to a boil, then lower the temperature and simmer the sauce for an additional 4-5 minutes until sauce thickens, continuing to stir occasionally. If it isn't thick enough at that point, you can simmer for up to 10 minutes.
    2 Tablespoons water, 1 Tablespoon corn starch
  4. Remove from heat and use immediately as desired or let cool slightly before transferring to a jar for storage. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Notes

  • This recipe makes approximately 1 cup of teriyaki sauce.
  • Storage: in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Serving: 2tbsp, Calories: 70kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 814mg, Potassium: 54mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 3IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 12mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Sauce
Author: Becca Mills
Cuisine: Asian
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!