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
*Disclosure: Some of the links included in this post may be affiliate links, meaning I’ll earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and believe will add value to my readers. Thank you so much for helping support Spoons!
This homemade teriyaki sauce looks incredible! I love that it’s gluten-free and vegan without those nasty additives. Having a healthy sauce recipe is a total game changer for my weekly stir fries.
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I’m so tired of buying store-bought teriyaki sauce that’s loaded with stuff I can’t even pronounce. The fact that you can make it gluten-free and vegan is a game changer since I have friends with different dietary restrictions. Your point about stir fries being a gateway to eating veggies really resonates with me – I’m going to try this with my picky eater and hopefully have the same success your mom did!
Thanks for the recipe. Will def try it out.
Using orange juice instead of water is such a smart twist! I have been looking for a good homemade teriyaki sauce recipe and this one sounds perfect. Love that it can be made gluten-free too.
This looks amazing! I love the idea of using orange juice instead of water – such a clever way to add natural sweetness and depth. As someone who values clean, simple ingredients, this recipe is a game-changer. It’s perfect for my weekly meal prep, and I can’t wait to try it with some stir-fried veggies. Your approach to making classic sauces healthier really resonates with the ethos at Artiflux, where we focus on smart, sustainable solutions. Thanks for sharing!
Just tried this teriyaki sauce recipe and it’s amazing how simple ingredients can create such flavor! The balance of soy sauce, honey, and ginger is perfect. What I love most is how adaptable it is – you can tweak the sweetness or savory notes to match any dish.
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This teriyaki sauce recipe looks so simple! I’ve always bought mine pre-made, but the ingredients list on those bottles are always a little scary. I might give this a try this week.
It’s funny how the word “teriyaki” itself doesn’t really tell you much about the flavor, does it? I was just thinking about how some words are so descriptive, while others are more like clues. When I’m stuck on word meanings or just enjoy some wordplay, I sometimes check out cluesbysamanswer.com – it’s a place I occasionally use.
This homemade teriyaki sauce is a game-changer! I love how easy it is to make and that it’s free of nasty ingredients. I’m definitely going to try this recipe out.
I’m also excited to try it as a marinade for chicken or tofu. I think it would be a great way to add some flavor to a simple meal. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
This is such a game-changer! I’ve been buying those bottled teriyaki sauces forever without realizing how easy it is to make at home. The fact that it’s naturally gluten-free and vegan is a huge bonus since I have friends with different dietary restrictions. I’m definitely adding this to my rotation – your point about stir fries being a veggie gateway is so true, and homemade sauce will make them taste even better than the store-bought version.
This homemade teriyaki sauce recipe looks amazing! So easy and healthy too. For food bloggers and recipe creators, ActDirector’s AI video tool is perfect for creating beautiful recipe tutorial videos!
I’ve been meaning to stop buying bottles of teriyaki that are basically just corn syrup and unpronounceable preservatives. The idea of having a homemade version that’s actually gluten-free and ready for weeknight stir fries is exactly what I needed. Definitely adding this to my regular rotation instead of reaching for the store-bought stuff.
This teriyaki sauce recipe is a game changer! I’ve been making it for months now and it’s so much better than store-bought. The honey and soy sauce combination gives it the perfect balance of sweet and savory. I love that it only takes a few minutes to throw together on the stovetop. My family uses it for everything – stir fry, glazing salmon, even as a dipping sauce for potstickers. It’s become our go-to for quick weeknight dinners. Thanks for sharing this easy recipe! I also make my own quick weeknight dinners with similar simple sauces
Homemade teriyaki sauce is a game changer! So much better than bottled versions.
What a mouthwatering Easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce (gluten-free, vegan) recipe! The combination of flavors sounds perfect. Already added the ingredients to my shopping list.
What a fantastic recipe! As a travel designer for kiki holidays (kikiholidays.com), I am always looking for ways to bring the authentic flavors we encounter on the Tea and Horse Caravan Road back to my own kitchen. The use of fresh ginger and garlic is so central to the vibrant cuisine of Yunnan and Sichuan, and I love your clever twist of using orange juice for that extra tang and depth. It reminds me of the fresh citrus we find in the lush valleys of the Himalayan Plateau. Truly, ‘Traveling Better’ starts with eating better, and this healthy, ‘no-nasties’ sauce is a perfect example of that!
This homemade teriyaki sauce recipe is so simple! Way better than store-bought.
Homemade teriyaki sauce is so much better than store-bought! Love how simple this recipe is. Will definitely be making this regularly!
I can’t believe I didn’t make my own teriyaki sauce sooner. This recipe is foolproof and takes just 10 minutes. It has that authentic, glossy finish and deep flavor that you just can’t get from a bottle. Way better than takeout!
So much better than store-bought! This recipe is incredibly easy to throw together with pantry staples. It has the perfect balance of sweet and savory, and it thickens beautifully. We’ve used it on chicken, salmon, and even as a stir-fry sauce—it’s a new weekly staple.
This recipe looks amazing! I love that it’s gluten-free and vegan, and making teriyaki sauce at home sounds so easy. Can’t wait to try it for a healthier option.
This homemade teriyaki sauce recipe sounds fantastic! I love how you emphasize using wholesome ingredients while keeping it gluten-free and vegan. It’s great to have a versatile sauce that can enhance so many dishes, from stir-fries to grilled veggies. I appreciate your mention of adjusting the sweetness to personal taste; that’s such a helpful tip! For those looking to explore more easy and healthy recipes, I recently came across some similar ideas on my site, RemoveVideo, where we delve into various homemade sauces and cooking tips. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe—I can’t wait to give it a try!
Just made this teriyaki sauce and wow, the simplicity of it all really got me thinking about how we often overcomplicate things in life. Sometimes going back to basics and making something with our own hands brings such clarity. Reminds me of how MindLens helps me when I’m stuck—it’s like having a fresh perspective when everything feels tangled. This sauce came together in minutes and already made my weeknight dinner feel so much more intentional. Have you tried making your own sauces at home? What simple things have brought you unexpected clarity lately?
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This homemade teriyaki sauce recipe is fantastic! Love that it’s both gluten-free and vegan. So much better than the store-bought versions with all the additives. Will definitely be making this for my next stir-fry night!
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This homemade teriyaki sauce recipe is absolutely brilliant! I love that you use orange juice instead of water – that’s such a clever twist that must add incredible depth of flavor. The tip about using reduced-sodium tamari for gluten-free is super helpful. I’ve been making cooking tutorial videos and recently discovered freevideogenerator.io – it’s a fantastic free video generator that makes creating clear recipe videos incredibly easy. Can’t wait to try this sauce in a stir fry!
I was curious if this would work well as a marinade too, so I tried it on chicken overnight and it was seriously tasty!
This recipe looks amazing! I love that it’s gluten-free and vegan, and making teriyaki sauce at home sounds so easy and healthy. Can’t wait to try it out for my next meal.
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Ooh, this homemade teriyaki sauce recipe looks amazing! I’m always looking for healthier options. I wonder if this sauce will give me the same freedom as Soflo Wheelie Life: The Ultimate Motorcycle Stunt Game. Can’t wait to try it out in my next stir-fry!
Wow, this easy homemade teriyaki sauce recipe looks amazing! Perfect for a quick weeknight meal. I bet it’s way better than the stuff I usually buy.
This sounds fantastic! I’m always looking for easy homemade sauce recipes, and the fact that this teriyaki is gluten-free, vegan, and made without ‘nasty ingredients’ is a huge win. It’s great to have a healthier, flavourful option. Can’t wait to give this a try!
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I want to keep the honey but don’t have coconut sugar can you use granulated sugar instead? If so, what adjustments need to be made?
Looks yummy! Can’t wait to try it!
You could use regular sugar in the same quantities, Gina, and nothing else would have to be adjusted. You can also use brown sugar if you have it!
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