Teriyaki is a term that refers to a cooking method in Japan. Two other cooking methods include, “yakitori” and “sukiyaki.”
If you noticed, all three methods contain a common denominator, that being, “yaki,” which means in Japanese, “grilled.”
So you may be asking, is teriyaki sauce used in one or more of these Japanese cooking methods? The answer is “No.”
Teriyaki sauce originated outside of Japan, though the sauce was invented with Japanese influence. And the sauce actually has nothing to do with the Teriyaki cooking method.
The origins of teriyaki sauce is traced to Japanese immigrants settling in Hawaii starting around 1885.
They brought with them their cooking techniques and culinary flavors. And as such, in time, led to the invention of teriyaki sauce.
Japanese Immigrants Laboring On Spreckelsville Plantation, Maui
The sauce got its start with using pineapples grown on the island of Hawaii. The pineapple juice was mixed with brown sugar and soy sauce.
Today, teriyaki sauce contains a few more ingredients that make it more accessible to the general public.
You well find recipes using brown sugar, cornstarch, garlic, mirin (rice wine), sake, soy sauce, and more sugar.
Traditionally, teriyaki was often used as a marinade or a glaze for meats and fish. But today it is used more as a stir-fry or cooking sauce. In fact, teriyaki sauce has become as popular as ketchup.
Read More About Cooking A Savory Stir-Fry
This homemade savory teriyaki sauce has amazing flavor. It’s an inspiration of the original invented sauce, but with the addition of ginger and garlic. The pineapple juice is replaced with brown sugar and honey for sweetness.
Read More Here: Cooking Asian Inspired Food
It’s great for chicken or beef. Like this Teriyaki Cheesesteak Sandwich. Use it as well with Japanese noodle stir-fries. Like this Stir-Fried Chicken & Vegetables With Udon Noodles In Peanut Sauce.
The amazing thing about teriyaki sauce, it’s versatile. Prepare this homemade sauce, and keep it handy for just about any dish you prepare.
Including, adding it to salads and soups or as a dipping sauce and a basting sauce when barbecuing.
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup mirin
5 teaspoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey, or more to taste
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
In a small saucepan, over medium-high heat combine soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, honey, ginger and garlic.
While ingredients are warming, stir the mixture well.
Lower heat to medium and bring sauce to a boil, then turn down the heat to low. Simmer sauce for a few minutes until it reduces slightly.
If you wish to thicken the sauce, do the following.
Combine in a small glass 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water and whisk with a fork to make a slurry.
Add the slurry to the sauce and whisk in and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to low and simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens.
Remove pan from heat and allow teriyaki sauce to cool.
Let sauce set for 24 hours for flavors to meld and give you the authentic flavor that teriyaki sauce is known for.
Use This Homemade Teriyaki Sauce With These Recipes
- Teriyaki Bacon Wrapped Green Beans
- Garlic-Soy Pork Noodles
- Thai Chicken Pizza
- Sautéed Asparagus Garlic & Smoked Bacon
More Deliciously Yummy Recipes
- Romaine Lettuce Boats With Marinated Mozzarella Pearls & A Tomato Basil Vinaigrette
- Homemade Hash Browned Potatoes
- Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
- Cooking With Coriander
- Cooking With Walnuts
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