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Small white bowl filled with dark Kecap Manis next to a pile of crushed palm sugar on a wooden board.

4-Ingredient Teriyaki Sauce Recipe (So Easy!)

Whip up a delicious homemade teriyaki sauce in minutes with just four pantry staples! This super simple recipe delivers a perfectly balanced sweet and savory flavor that's fantastic for marinades, glazes, or dipping.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 7 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Condiment, Marinade, Sauce
Cuisine: Asian, Japanese-inspired
Calories: 30
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup Low-sodium Soy Sauce
  • 1/4 cup Packed Light Brown Sugar
  • 1/4 cup Water plus 2 tablespoons for slurry
  • 1 tbsp Cornstarch

Equipment

  • Small saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. In a small saucepan, combine the low-sodium soy sauce, packed light brown sugar, and 1/4 cup of water. Place the saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Whisk the mixture continuously until the brown sugar has completely dissolved and the sauce begins to lightly simmer. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
  3. While the sauce is heating, in a small separate bowl, whisk together the 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with the remaining 2 tablespoons of cold water until a smooth, lump-free slurry forms.
  4. Once the main sauce is simmering and the sugar is dissolved, slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the saucepan while continuously whisking. Continue to cook and whisk for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. It should coat the back of a spoon.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Your 4-ingredient teriyaki sauce is ready to use! Enjoy it immediately as a glaze, marinade, or dipping sauce, or let it cool completely before storing.

Notes

This sauce makes approximately 1 cup. For a touch of garlic or ginger, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder or ginger powder (or both!) to the saucepan along with the soy sauce and sugar. Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. It may thicken further upon cooling; simply add a splash of water and reheat gently to thin it out if needed.