Pantry-Style Teriyaki Sauce: Homemade Magic - Quick, Affordable, and Accessible

There’s something deeply satisfying about crafting your own sauce from pantry staples—and few are as versatile, crave-worthy, and crowd-pleasing as teriyaki sauce. If you're anything like me, having a go-to pantry-style teriyaki sauce recipe is a weeknight dinner game-changer.

Thanks to this recipe you can make restaurant-quality teriyaki sauce at home without exotic ingredients or a trip to the store. It’s bold, sweet-savory, thickened just right, and endlessly customizable. Whether you drizzle it on stir-fries, glaze salmon, toss it with noodles, or use it as a dipping sauce, this pantry-style teriyaki brings the umami punch you’ve been craving.

Let’s explore how to make this version of teriyaki sauce, its best uses, and why it deserves a permanent place in your fridge.

Rich and glossy pantry-style teriyaki sauce, sprinkled with sesame seeds, simmers perfectly in the pan.

What Is Pantry-Style Teriyaki Sauce?

Teriyaki sauce originates from Japan, where “teri” means luster or shine, and “yaki” means to grill. Traditional teriyaki often combines soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar to create a glossy glaze for grilled meat or fish.

But pantry-style teriyaki—like the one shown on here on the Sauce and Gravy Channel—reimagines this classic using common pantry staples while keeping the deep, layered flavor of the original.

What’s in It?

This homemade version simplifies the ingredients while delivering that signature sweet-savory kick:

• Soy sauce – for salty umami depth

• Brown sugar – for sweetness and stickiness

• Garlic and ginger powder – easy, shelf-stable flavor boosters

• Cornstarch slurry – to thicken and create that luscious, glossy texture

• Water – to adjust consistency

• Optional: a dash of rice vinegar, sesame oil, or chili flakes for added personality

No mirin? No problem. This pantry-style blend swaps out harder-to-find Japanese ingredients with what’s already in most home kitchens, making it quick, affordable, and accessible.

Mixing soy sauce into a pan with brown sugar for a flavorful teriyaki sauce.

How to Make Pantry Teriyaki Sauce (Quick Recipe)

Ingredients:

·       4 Garlic Cloves

·       1/2 cup or 100g light brown sugar

·       1 cup or 125ml low sodium soy sauce

·       2 tbsp or 30 ml rice vinegar

·       1/2 tsp ground ginger

·       2 tsp sesame oil

·       3 tbsp or 24g cornstarch

·       4 tbsp or 30ml water

·       1 tbsp sesame seeds

Makes 1 ½ cups or 375ml

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, and ginger over medium heat.

2. Stir until the sugar dissolves and mixture begins to simmer.

3. In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry.

   

   Preparing a cornstarch slurry to thicken a sweet teriyaki sauce in the pan below.

4. Whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce and cook until thickened—about 2–3 minutes.

5. Taste and tweak. Add sesame oil, a splash of vinegar, or chili flakes if desired.

6. Let cool. Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for roughly 1 week.

Top 5 Ways to Use Teriyaki Sauce

Once you have your pantry-style teriyaki sauce ready, the real fun begins. This sauce isn’t just for chicken (though it’s great for that). Here are some of my favorite uses:

1. Teriyaki Chicken Bowl

Grill or pan-sear chicken thighs, slice, and drizzle with teriyaki over steamed rice and vegetables. Finish with sesame seeds and green onions.

2. Teriyaki Glazed Salmon

Brush on salmon fillets during the last few minutes of baking or grilling. It creates a caramelized glaze that’s perfect with a side of jasmine rice or sautéed greens.

3. Stir-Fry Sauce

Toss your favorite veggies, tofu, or shrimp in this sauce after a quick sauté. It clings beautifully and elevates any midweek veggie stir-fry.

4. Teriyaki Noodles

Cook soba or ramen noodles, stir in the sauce, and add shredded chicken or sautéed mushrooms. A one-bowl wonder.

5. Dipping Sauce for Dumplings or Spring Rolls

Use it as a sweet-savory dip. Add a splash of vinegar or lime juice for zing, and watch your guests double-dip.

Mixing sesame seeds into a rich, glossy teriyaki sauce in a pan for added flavor and texture.

Why This Sauce Stands Out

• Shelf-Friendly Ingredients: No sake, no mirin, no problem. Every ingredient is likely already in your kitchen.

• Quick to Make: 10 minutes from start to finish.

• Versatile: It’s as good on grilled meat as it is on roasted veggies or noodles.

• Cost-Effective: Way cheaper than store-bought sauces or takeout meals.

• Flavorful and Balanced: Sweet, salty, tangy, umami-rich—what more do you need?

This formula is rich but not too salty, sweet but not cloying, thick enough to glaze but thin enough to stir into noodles or rice.

Tips and Tricks

• Want extra kick? Add a teaspoon of Sriracha or a pinch of chili flakes.

• Like it less salty? Use less soy sauce and top it off with water (3/4 cups soy and 1/4 cup water).

• Prefer a thinner sauce? Use less cornstarch or thin with a splash of water.

• Cooking for kids? Skip the heat and emphasize sweetness with honey.

• Marinade mode: Double the batch and use it as a quick marinade for pork, beef, or tofu.

Rich and flavorful homemade teriyaki sauce with sesame seeds, ready to enhance your favorite dishes.

Final Thoughts

Homemade sauces have soul—and pantry-style teriyaki is one of the easiest, most rewarding sauces to master. It transforms simple meals into something memorable, and once you’ve made it, you’ll never reach for store-bought teriyaki again.

This version is a staple in my kitchen. Try it once, and you’ll see why it deserves a front-row spot in your fridge.

Check out The Sauce and Gravy Channel’s cookbook Made Simply series for more delicious homemade sauces and gravies recipes.