Spicy Teriyaki Sauce

Spooning out some teriyaki sauce from a jar with a small plate of sesame seeds in the background.

5 from 1 vote

Umami, sweet, and mildly spicy, this spicy teriyaki sauce instantly elevates any dish! All you need are 10 minutes and a few simple ingredients to make this recipe.

Prep Time5

Cook Time5

Total Time10

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American, Japanese

Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: servings (2 tablespoons per serve)

Calories: 49kcal

Author: Meesha

Ingredients

½ cup water
½ cup Japanese soy sauce or regular soy sauce
½ cup mirin see notes*
2 tablespoons maple syrup or adjust to taste
1 tablespoon cornstarch
½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
1 teaspoon chili flakes or red pepper flakes

Instructions

In a pan or saucepan, add all ingredients, except cornstarch. Cook over medium heat until the mixture starts to simmer.
In the meantime, make the cornstarch slurry by combining the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water.
Once the mixture starts simmering, add slurry and mix well. Let the sauce simmer for another few minutes, or until the sauce is thick and glossy.
Remove from heat, and let it cool down slightly. You can now use your spicy teriyaki sauce or store it in a jar for later use.

Notes

*Mirin - Can be substituted with the same amount of sake or rice vinegar for an alcohol-free version, but you will need to increase the amount of maple syrup used by 1-2 tablespoons.

Helpful tips

Sauce will thicken as it cools – It is normal for it to be slightly runnier right after cooking.
Adjust sauce thickness – For a thicker sauce, add up to 11/2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Use half the amount or omit cornstarch for a runnier consistency.
Adjust taste to preference – add more sweetener for sweetness, soy sauce for saltiness, and chili flakes to dial up the heat.
Make it spicier – In addition to increasing chili flakes, you can also add other seasonings, such as sriracha, garlic chili sauce, or chopped fresh chilies.

Nutrition