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!
I’d love to know if you make this recipe! Leave a comment and rating down below to let me know what you think, and subscribe to our mailing list to receive new recipes in your inbox!
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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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What strikes me most about this sauce recipe is the small “upgrade” of using orange juice instead of water to dilute the soy juice—it adds layers of flavor and naturally balances the saltiness and sweetness, making it far superior to the flat, overly salty taste of store-bought bottles. Additionally, the clearly outlined gluten-free and vegan substitutions make it perfect for today’s “one family, many dietary preferences” scenarios, allowing a single stir-fry sauce to cater to everyone. For me, these kinds of basic sauce recipes with simple, clean ingredients are like organizing my own game list—they are essential little “infrastructures” of daily life.
This homemade teriyaki sauce is a game-changer! I love how simple it is to make and the fact that it’s both gluten-free and vegan. The blend of orange juice, honey, and ginger gives it such a lovely depth of flavor. I’ll definitely be making this again — thank you for the delicious recipe!
Love how this teriyaki sauce skips the junk and still nails that salty‑sweet takeout vibe.
Using orange juice instead of water is such a smart trick for extra flavor without extra effort.
Really appreciate the clear notes for gluten‑free and vegan swaps—it makes cooking for mixed diets so much easier.
This is the kind of simple, make‑ahead sauce that turns basic veggie stir fry into an easy weeknight favorite.
This recipe is such a game-changer! I’ve been trying to move away from store-bought sauces because of all the hidden additives and heavy sodium, but I always found homemade versions a bit bland. Your balance of flavors is spot on—that hint of ginger really makes it pop! I made a batch last night to stir-fry with some tofu and broccoli, and it was honestly better than takeout. It’s so refreshing to find a version that’s naturally gluten-free and vegan without having to compromise on that classic sticky texture.
Speaking of simplifying daily tasks, I’ve actually been documenting some of my own experiments with kitchen efficiency and automation over at CLI Anything. It’s been a fun project to bridge the gap between cooking and tech. Thanks for sharing this; it’s definitely going into my weekly meal rotation!
Solid breakdown. I found the key points very actionable. — Harper cqv4
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I have been searching for a clean-label alternative to bottled sauces, so I really appreciate you sharing this method. It is amazing how much better fresh ingredients taste compared to the preservatives found in most store-bought versions. I am definitely bookmarking this for my next stir-fry night!
This recipe sounds absolutely perfect! I completely agree that homemade sauces, especially when they’re easy, gluten-free, and vegan like this one, are so much better than store-bought. I’m excited to try this for my next stir-fry night; it sounds like it will definitely become a staple!
I liked the point you made about Easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce (gluten-free, vegan). Thanks for sharing a practical perspective on it.
Just tried making this teriyaki sauce and it’s absolutely delicious! So much fresher than store-bought and the ginger really makes it pop. Love that it uses simple ingredients I always have on hand. Cooking at home has never been easier.
By the way, if you’re like me and tend to have a million windows open while following recipes online, you might want to check out SnapWind – it’s a handy little tool that keeps your desktop organized so you can focus on what matters, like perfecting that teriyaki glaze. Perfect for recipe hunters and multitaskers!
Do you have any other easy sauce recipes to share? 🍳
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I’m so tired of buying bottled teriyaki sauce that’s loaded with weird additives, so making my own is such a game-changer. Love that it can easily be made gluten-free and vegan too since my partner has dietary restrictions. Your point about stir fries being a gateway to eating veggies really resonates with me – I’m definitely going to try this on my kids!
It is surprisingly difficult to find a store-bought version that doesn’t rely on additives or hidden gluten, so I am thrilled to try this cleaner alternative. The simplicity of your method makes it feel like a perfect weeknight solution for my stir-fry routine. I am definitely bookmarking this for the next time I need a quick and flavorful glaze.
I’ve been looking for a good Easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce (gluten-free, vegan) recipe and this is exactly what I needed. The photos make it look so appetizing!
Just made this teriyaki sauce recipe and it turned out amazing! So much fresher than store-bought and so easy to put together. My family loved it. What I really appreciate is how clear the instructions are — perfect for busy weeknights.
By the way, if you’re looking to streamline your cooking workflow and other daily tasks, I’ve been using QClaw.link as my AI desktop assistant. It helps me organize recipes, set cooking reminders, and automate so many little things around the kitchen. It’s been a game changer for staying organized.
Do you have any tips for making the sauce extra glossy? 🍳
Just tried making this teriyaki sauce and it turned out amazing! The balance of sweetness and savory is perfect. What I love about recipes like this is how they encourage us to slow down and be present in the kitchen. On a related note, I’ve been using box-breathing.org lately to manage stress and improve focus. It’s a simple breathing technique that only takes a few minutes but really helps calm the mind. Has anyone else tried incorporating mindful breathing into their daily routine alongside cooking?
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I can’t tell you how timely this post was for me. I was running into this exact issue earlier today and was having a hard time finding a clear solution until I landed here. Your step-by-step approach made it so much easier to understand where I was going wrong. Thank you for taking the time to write this out—it was exactly what I needed!
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I’m always buying those bottled teriyaki sauces loaded with weird additives, so I’m excited to try making my own. The fact that it’s naturally gluten-free and vegan is a huge bonus since I have friends with different dietary needs. I totally relate to your point about stir fries being a gateway to eating more vegetables – I’m definitely going to use this sauce to trick my picky eater into eating more greens!
This homemade teriyaki sauce is so easy and delicious! I love that it’s gluten-free and vegan too. Making it at home is so much better than store-bought. Can’t wait to try this with stir-fry!
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Making teriyaki sauce from scratch is one of those small upgrades that makes a huge difference. Once you taste the homemade version, bottled sauce just does not compare.
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I’m so tired of buying bottled teriyaki sauce loaded with preservatives and weird ingredients I can’t pronounce. The fact that you can easily make it vegan and gluten-free is a game-changer for me since I cook for guests with different dietary needs. I love that you mentioned stir fries too – my kids are the same way with vegetables, so having a homemade sauce that actually tastes good might finally get them to eat their broccoli without complaining!
I really like the idea of using orange juice instead of water in the sauce. That’s not something I would have thought of, but it sounds like it would add a really nice balance of sweetness and acidity. I might try this the next time I make a quick stir fry at home.
This looks amazing! I’ve been buying those store-bought teriyaki sauces forever, not realizing how easy it is to make it at home without all the weird additives. I’m definitely trying this since I’m always looking for ways to sneak more veggies into my kids’ meals, and honestly teriyaki is one of the few things they’ll actually eat without complaining. Can’t wait to see how much better the homemade version tastes!
I love that you use orange juice instead of water in your teriyaki sauce. I’m always looking for ways to sneak extra flavor into my sauces, and the little bit of tanginess sounds perfect. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe soon!
I love that you use orange juice instead of water! I never would have thought of that, but it sounds like it adds a great depth of flavor. I’m definitely going to try this recipe out this week.
I love how simple and customizable this teriyaki sauce recipe is! The option to adjust the sweetness and saltiness really makes it easy to tailor it to personal taste. I also appreciate the tip about using tamari for a gluten-free version — that’s a must for my diet. Definitely going to try this next time I make stir fry! – Emily from PromptGather
I made this teriyaki sauce last weekend and the way you explained balancing the sweetness with soy sauce really helped — I ended up adding just a bit more rice vinegar than usual and it gave the chicken a nice tang
Love this easy teriyaki sauce! The simple ingredients and quick method make it perfect for weeknight dinners. I appreciate the clear steps and the tip about adjusting sweetness—definitely trying it this weekend. On a different note, I’ve been curious about personal growth tools and recently discovered Human Design Chart (humandesignchart.org). It gives a free, detailed chart of your energetic type, strategy, authority, and profile, which can be a fun complement to exploring new kitchen experiments. It also helps you understand your decision‑making style, which could be handy when planning meals. Have you ever looked into your Human Design?
I have been searching for a clean, reliable teriyaki recipe that doesn’t rely on pre-packaged bottles filled with preservatives. This version hits all the right notes, and I love that it is so easy to adapt for dietary needs. It is definitely going to become a regular part of my weeknight dinner rotation.
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I’m so tired of buying store-bought teriyaki sauce that’s loaded with weird additives, so the fact that this is homemade and can be made gluten-free is perfect for my family. I love that it’s also vegan-friendly since my daughter is trying to reduce meat, so we can all enjoy the same stir fry together. Your point about stir fries being a gateway to eating more veggies really resonates with me too—I’m definitely stealing that strategy!
Just made this teriyaki sauce and it turned out amazing! So much fresher than the store-bought versions, and I love that you can adjust the sweetness to your taste. The instructions are super clear – even my first attempt came out perfect. This is going to be my go-to recipe from now on. By the way, if you enjoy discovering free online tools like I do, Gratis Dog has a nice collection of useful services. What’s your favorite homemade sauce or condiment to make at home?
Just made this teriyaki sauce and it’s incredible how such simple ingredients can create so much flavor! The honey and soy sauce combination is perfect, and I love that it’s ready in just minutes. This will definitely become my go-to recipe for stir-fries and grilled dishes.
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What’s your favorite homemade sauce recipe? Would love to hear your recommendations!
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I’m so tired of buying bottled teriyaki sauce that’s loaded with weird additives and way too much sodium. The fact that you can make it gluten-free and vegan is a game-changer because my daughter has celiac disease and my partner is vegan, so this will finally be something we can all enjoy together. I’m definitely adding this to my regular rotation since stir fries are basically a weeknight staple in our house anyway.
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I’m so tired of buying bottled teriyaki sauce that’s loaded with preservatives and weird ingredients I can’t pronounce. The fact that you can make it gluten-free and vegan without sacrificing flavor is a game-changer for my household since we have guests with different dietary restrictions. I’m definitely adding this to my regular rotation – stir fries have been my go-to weeknight dinner too, and having a homemade sauce option will make them taste so much better.
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I’m always buying those bottled teriyaki sauces and never really knowing what’s actually in them, so making my own without all the weird additives sounds perfect. The fact that it’s naturally vegan and gluten-free is such a bonus too since I have friends with dietary restrictions I’m always trying to cook for. Definitely adding this to my stir fry rotation – honestly can’t believe I haven’t made my own sauce before!
love the idea of using orange juice instead of water—that’s such a clever way to add depth to the flavor! My kids are notoriously picky eaters, so this ‘veggie gateway’ sauce is exactly what I need. I’m actually planning to meal prep a large batch of this for the freezer. Since I’ve been reorganizing my pantry and shipping some of my homemade sauces to family, I’ve been using Cubic Ft Calc to help figure out the storage and box dimensions. It’s been a lifesaver for my kitchen organization! Thanks for the healthy recipe!