An easy homemade teriyaki sauce that’s full of flavour and made without any nasty ingredients! Easily made gluten-free and vegan, it’s so good that you’ll never go back to store-bought.
I’ve got a quickie for you guys today!
Well, a quick recipe. And an easy one. And one I feel like should be a staple in everyone’s recipe books… at least if you like stir fries. Which I do.
Actually, stir fries were one of the only ways my mom could get me to eat vegetables as a child… and even then I’d do my best to pick out as many veggies as I could without it being too obvious. Except the carrots. Carrots were okay in my books.
Looking back at it, though, I’m pretty sure the only reason I tolerated veggies in stir fries were because they were covered in sauce. Homemade teriyaki sauce…
How To Make Healthy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
It’s so quick and easy that I’m betting you never go back to the store-bought kind! So let’s start by talking about what goes into the sauce:
- I like to used a reduced-sodium soy sauce because I find the regular kind a little too overpoweringly salty for my tastes, and even so, the sauce is still pretty salty. And because most soy sauces contain wheat, be sure to use a certified gluten-free tamari if you need this sauce to be gluten-free.
- Most teriyaki sauce recipes call for water to dilute the soy sauce, but I like to use orange juice instead. I find it adds some extra sweetness, tanginess, and depth to the flavour.
- For sweetness, I use a combination of honey and coconut sugar because I find it gives the best taste and texture. If you need this sauce to be vegan, you can just use coconut sugar, but you need to increase the amount to 1/2 cup (100 g).
- Rice vinegar. Used mostly to balance out the sweetness. If you don’t have rice vinegar, you can substitute with apple cider.
- I know it’s a little bit of extra work, but fresh ginger and garlic really do make a difference. If you don’t have them on hand, you can use 1/2 tsp of each, ground.
- Cornstarch is used to thicken the sauce, otherwise it would be super runny instead of nice and saucy. Combine it with a tablespoon of water before adding it to the sauce just to get any clumps out and make sure it’s nice and smooth. And if you’re avoiding corn, arrowroot works fine as well.
See? All good stuff and none of the nasties that you often find in store-bought sauces.
Okay, But What’s It Like?
Salty. Sweet. Tangy… Saucy? There’s really not much else to say about a sauce.
I made a few different versions of this sauce and these quantities ended up being my favourite, but your tastebuds probably differ from mine so don’t be afraid to do some experimenting! Want a sweeter sauce? Add more sugar. Saltier? Add a few more splashes of soy sauce. Thicker? More cornstarch. That’s one of the best things about making things at home! Well, that and it lets you avoid a lot of the preservatives that end up in store-bought sauces.
As for how to use this sauce, my favourite is obviously in a stir fries (I’ve got a recipe coming up for you guys soon!), but it also works great as a marinate. I hope you love it!
Happy eating!
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easy homemade teriyaki sauce
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari*
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) orange juice
- 1/4 cup (80 g) honey**
- 2 Tbsp (24 g) coconut sugar**
- 1 Tbsp (15 ml) rice vinegar
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp (7 g) cornstarch***
- 1 Tbsp (15 ml) water
Instructions
- In a small saucepan set over medium heat, combine the soy sauce, orange juice, honey, sugar, vinegar, ginger, and garlic. Bring it to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally.
- In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and water, mixing until smooth. Add this mixture to the sauce, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken, about 1 minute.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool completely before transferring it to a sealed container and storing in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Use as desired.
Notes
* Use a certified gluten-free tamari if you need this to be gluten-free. I also recommend using a reduced-sodium version so that you have more control over how salty it is.
** Omit the honey and increase the sugar to 1/2 cup (100 g) if you need this sauce to be vegan.
*** You can use arrowroot powder instead.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
Looking for more tasty vegan recipes? Try one of these!
Healthy Vegan Mac & Cheese
Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos
Instant Pot Black Bean Burrito Bowls
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I tried this recipe last night and it was surprisingly quick to whip up with pantry staples. The flavor was rich without being too sweet, which I really appreciated. Has anyone tried substituting coconut aminos for tamari to make it nut-free as well?
I love how simple and balanced this teriyaki sauce recipe is—using pantry staples without too much sugar really keeps it light. It reminds me that small, mindful choices in the kitchen can make a big difference over time. For anyone also looking to bring that same gentle approach to movement, I’ve been enjoying **taichiwalk.org**: free, beginner-friendly tai chi walking routines that focus on balance and calm, with no sign-up required. It feels like a natural companion to home cooking—both are about slowing down and listening to your body. Have you ever tried pairing a relaxing walk with a homemade meal like this?
This was one of those articles that keeps you interested from beginning to end. The content is informative, the writing is smooth, and the insights are valuable. I appreciate the effort that went into ensuring readers can easily understand and apply the information presented.
This looks delicious—can’t wait to try making it at home!
Great article, thanks for sharing this. The explanation was clear and helpful.
I’ve tried a few homemade teriyaki sauces before, but this one really nails the balance of sweet and savory without being too heavy. The soy sauce and honey combo is a simple trick that makes a huge difference in stir-fries or as a marinade. Speaking of fine-tuning processes—whether it’s a sauce recipe or studying for a certification like the Claude Certified Architect exam, having the right structure matters. I’ve been using a set of domain-aligned guides and timed mock exams to stay on track, and it feels similar to following a good recipe step by step. Have you found any study methods that work especially well for you?
This article was exactly what I needed today. So great!!
Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe! Homemade teriyaki sauce is such a great way to add fresh, rich flavor to meals, and it’s always satisfying to make it from scratch.
I love how this recipe keeps it simple with clean ingredients—no hidden sugars or preservatives! The gluten-free and vegan tweaks make it perfect for everyone. Definitely trying this soon.
Homemade teriyaki sauce? My instant ramen just got a serious upgrade, prepare for a flavor explosion.
This teriyaki sauce recipe looks so simple, my cooking skills might actually be able to handle it. Now I just need to find someone who will brave eating my first attempt.