Have you ever been getting ready to make dinner and then found out you were out of something you needed for the recipe? Well, thanks to this easy homemade microwave teriyaki sauce recipe, I’ve dodged more than one call to the takeout place and saved dinner!
You can make this microwave teriyaki sauce in under 5 minutes, with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Even if not, there are a ton of substitutions that work to make this sauce come together, so you’re sure to find something that works.
I actually prefer it to store bought in many cases, as I can adjust the seasonings to our personal tastes, and cut down on the sugar versus some of those sickly sweet versions.
After all, if you’re going to be cooking some Air Fryer Salmon Bites with teriyaki sauce, why not make your own?
Ingredients List
½ cup low sodium soy sauce
¼ cup water
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp pineapple juice
1 Tbsp mirin
1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
½ tsp minced ginger
½ tsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp cornstarch
2 Tbsp water
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
You can also use regular soy sauce (though it will be saltier) or if you have a soy allergy, liquid aminos are a great substitute
Add up to a ¼ cup brown sugar if you like it sweeter, or if you want you can substitute it for the honey and/or pineapple juice. You can also use Splenda in place of the sugar
Mirin is a sweet wine (though I keep a non-alcoholic version in my cooking cabinet). You can also use sake, or omit it entirely without a problem
If you don’t have rice wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar is the next best choice. You can use red wine vinegar or orange juice as well
The ginger and garlic may be fresh or dried, depending what you have on hand
If you want to make your teriyaki sauce without cornstarch, arrowroot powder, xanthan gum, or potato starch work as alternatives, or you may cook it longer so it thickens and reduces naturally
This group of ingredients should give you a nice balance of salty, sweet, acidic, and umami flavors. However, you can adjust quantities and ingredients to your preferred taste
How to Make Teriyaki Sauce in the Microwave
Combine all ingredients except for the cornstarch and 2 Tbsp of water in a microwave safe bowl, and stir to distribute everything evenly
Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes on high, until you see the mixture bubble
Dissolve the cornstarch into the remaining 2 Tbsp of water
Add the cornstarch slurry to the rest of the sauce and stir to incorporate
Cook on high for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until teriyaki sauce thickens
Use immediately, or store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week
How to Use Teriyaki Sauce
Traditionally, teriyaki sauce is used as a marinade, glaze, dipping sauce, basting sauce, or cooking ingredient with:
Salmon
Chicken
Tofu
Stir fry vegetables
Noodles
Rice
Potstickers
Spring rolls
Of course, you can use teriyaki sauce with other meats and fish as well, but these are some of the most popular.
To use as a marinade, place your protein in a bowl with the teriyaki sauce and let it sit for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours. Otherwise, baste or glaze with it during cooking.
Yes, you can microwave teriyaki sauce. Whether heating a bottled sauce or using it to make a homemade version, the microwave is a great option for teriyaki sauce.
Always make sure to use a microwave safe container to heat it in, removing it from the original jar if it’s store bought.
How Do You Thicken Teriyaki Sauce in the Microwave?
To thicken teriyaki sauce in the microwave, add a slurry of 1 Tablespoon cornstarch and 1 Tablespoons water to the sauce. Stir thoroughly, and cook for an additional 30-60 seconds to thicken.
If you want to make your teriyaki sauce without cornstarch, substitute arrowroot powder or potato starch instead. Alternatively, you may cook for an additional 1-3 minutes to boil off some of the excess moisture. If you do this, use care when removing the bowl as it will be hot.
How Do You Liquify Teriyaki Sauce?
To liquify teriyaki sauce, simply add more water in 1 Tablespoon increments until the desired consistency is achieved.
Your teriyaki sauce may look like jelly if you add too much cornstarch, so this will help you get it back to a sauce-like state.
Can You Heat Up Teriyaki Sauce?
Yes, you can heat up teriyaki sauce. Place it in a microwave safe bowl, heat on high for 30 seconds, then stir. Add an additional 15-30 seconds if needed for your desired heat level.
This method works with both previously homemade and store bought bottled teriyaki sauce.
Can Teriyaki Sauce Be Eaten Without Cooking?
Yes, teriyaki sauce can be eaten without cooking. Often, this is done when it is being used as a marinade or dipping sauce.
That said, while it is safe, the flavors will not blend together as well in the sauce prior to heat being applied during cooking.
Does Teriyaki Sauce Go On Before or After Cooking?
Teriyaki sauce can go on either before or after cooking. Typically meat is marinated prior to cooking. However, a glaze or sauce is usually applied after cooking.
It largely depends how you’d like to serve your dish, whether you want the sauce incorporated or on the top. However, either is completely fine.
What Does Teriyaki Sauce Taste Like?
Teriyaki sauce tastes like soy sauce mixed with honey as a base. It is salty, sweet, and savory all in one.
However, there are many variations of teriyaki sauce that add other flavors in, such as garlic, shallots, ginger, or vinegar. These add more depth of flavor and additional elements to the taste profile.
Is Teriyaki Sauce Good For Meat?
Yes, teriyaki sauce is good for meat. It may be used as a marinade, glaze, or dipping sauce. Common preparations include baked, stir fried, or grilled.
While it is most commonly used on chicken or salmon, teriyaki sauce is equally delicious on steak and pork.
Is Teriyaki Sauce Spicy?
No, teriyaki sauce is not considered spicy.
However, if you would like your sauce to be spicy, add some sriracha, sambal, or gochujang for heat. These pepper-based sauces will complement the flavor while adding spice.
Recipe Pro Advice & Safety Tips
My mixture cooked for 1 ½ minutes to bubble in a 1000W microwave. I needed 2 ½ minutes additional cooking time to thicken. Other wattages of microwaves may require more or less time
You’ll know the mixture has begun to thicken when it turns from a milky, opaque color to a translucent sauce
Safety note: the sauce is going to be very hot when you remove it from the microwave, as it will have boiled. Use oven mitts if necessary to grab the bowl and allow it to cool slightly before tasting
The amount of ingredients listed makes approximately 1 cup of teriyaki sauce when finished
This easy homemade microwave teriyaki sauce is the perfect recipe any time you want that sweet, salty, delicious combination of Asian inspired flavors.
Keep it thin and use it as a marinade, or add the cornstarch to thicken it up and have a great glaze or drizzle. Teriyaki is my favorite for salmon, but it’s great on chicken, steak, tofu, and mixed in with your stir fried veggies or noodles too.
I love that this recipe is so versatile, so you can swap in ingredients or tweak amounts to find the perfect balance for your taste buds and what you have on hand.
This easy homemade microwave teriyaki sauce is salty, sweet, and savory all in one. It’s a very adjustable recipe to use whatever is in the pantry, and takes under 5 minutes to cook!
Combine all ingredients except for the cornstarch and 2 Tbsp water in a microwave safe bowl, and stir to distribute everything evenly
½ Cup low sodium soy sauce, ¼ Cup water, 3 Tbsp brown sugar, 1 Tbsp honey, 1 Tbsp pineapple juice, 1 Tbsp mirin, 1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar, ½ Tsp ginger, ½ Tsp garlic
Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes on high, until you see the mixture bubble. Mine took 1 ½ minutes in a 1000W microwave
Dissolve the 1 Tbsp cornstarch cornstarch into the remaining 2 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp cornstarch, 2 Tbsp water
Add the cornstarch slurry to the rest of the sauce and stir to incorporate
Cook on high for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until teriyaki sauce thickens. Mine took about 2 ½ minutes in a 1000W microwave
Use immediately, or store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week
Notes
You can also use regular soy sauce (though it will be saltier) or if you have a soy allergy, liquid aminos are a great substitute
Add up to a ¼ cup brown sugar if you like it sweeter, or if you want you can substitute it for the honey and/or pineapple juice. You can also use Splenda in place of the sugar
Mirin is a sweet wine (though I keep a non-alcoholic version in my cooking cabinet). You can also use sake, or omit it entirely without a problem
If you don’t have rice wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar is the next best choice. You can use red wine vinegar or orange juice as well
The ginger and garlic may be fresh or dried, depending what you have on hand
If you want to make your teriyaki sauce without cornstarch, arrowroot powder, xanthan gum, or potato starch work as alternatives, or you may cook it longer so it thickens and reduces naturally
This group of ingredients should give you a nice balance of salty, sweet, acidic, and umami flavors. However, you can adjust quantities and ingredients to your preferred taste
You’ll know the mixture has begun to thicken when it turns from a milky, opaque color to a translucent sauce
Safety note: the sauce is going to be very hot when you remove it from the microwave, as it will have boiled. Use oven mitts if necessary to grab the bowl and allow it to cool slightly before tasting
The amount of ingredients listed makes approximately 1 cup of teriyaki sauce when finished
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, substitutions and adjustments, and total quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
