Easy Teriyaki Marinade

Ready in just 5 minutes, this homemade Teriyaki Marinade recipe is perfect for adding authentic Japanese flavor to chicken, beef, veggies, or tofu!

With just a few simple ingredients and a couple of minutes of your time, you can elevate your everyday meals with the irresistible flavors of homemade teriyaki marinade.

Whether you're grilling up juicy chicken skewers, tossing together a quick stir-fry, or experimenting with new flavor combinations, this versatile marinade is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

Sure, you could buy kikkoman teriyaki sauce, or a version from Trader Joe's or Costco, but making it yourself from scratch is sooooo easy.

Seriously. Just gather the ingredients and whisk. That's it!

I love making marinades, dips, dressings and seasonings myself from scratch.

They're so easy and homemade allows you to control the ingredients, customize the flavor to your preferences, and avoid preservatives and additives commonly found in store-bought alternatives.

If you love this marinade, be sure to also try Unagi Sauce (also called Eel Sauce), Furikake, or Schichimi Togarashi (Japanese 7-Spice)!

What is Teriyaki?

Teriyaki is a Japanese flavor characterized by a sweet and savory soy sauce-based glaze or sauce.

Traditionally, teriyaki marinade or sauce is made from soy sauce, sugar, and mirin (a sweet rice wine), often with the addition of ingredients like garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. This flavorful sauce is commonly used to marinate and glaze grilled or broiled meats, fish, or vegetables, giving them a deliciously caramelized exterior and a tender, juicy interior.

Teriyaki dishes are popular worldwide for their irresistible combination of sweet, savory, and umami flavors.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

1. Control Over Ingredients: By making your own teriyaki marinade at home, you can ensure that it's free from artificial additives and preservatives.
2. Customization: Adjust the sweetness, saltiness, and spiciness of the marinade to suit your taste preferences.
3. Cost-Effective: Homemade marinades are often more budget-friendly than store-bought alternatives, especially when using pantry staples.
4. Versatility: This teriyaki marinade is incredibly versatile and can be used with a variety of proteins, from chicken and beef to tofu and vegetables.

Ingredients

You only need simple pantry ingredients for this recipe!

• Soy Sauce: Adds salty umami flavor to the marinade. Substitute with tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option.
• Water: Helps to dilute the soy sauce and balance the flavors.
• Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and caramelization when cooked. Substitute with coconut sugar or maple syrup.
• Honey: Adds additional sweetness and helps to balance the flavors. Substitute with agave nectar or maple syrup for a vegan option.
• Garlic: Infuses the marinade with aromatic flavor. Fresh minced garlic is preferred, but garlic powder can be used as a substitute.
• Ginger: Adds warmth and depth of flavor to the marinade. Fresh minced ginger is recommended, but ground ginger can be used in a pinch.
• Mirin / Rice Wine: Mirin is a type of sweet rice wine commonly used in Japanese cooking to add sweetness and depth of flavor to dishes. It has a lower alcohol content compared to sake and a distinct sweet taste. Substitute: rice vinegar
• Sesame Oil (Optional): Adds nutty flavor to the marinade. Omit if preferred or substitute with another flavorful oil like avocado oil or chili oil.

See the recipe card for quantities and method.

How to Make Teriyaki Marinade

Follow these step-by-step instructions, then scroll down for the full ingredients list and method.

In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, honey, minced garlic, minced ginger, and rice vinegar. Mix well until the sugar has dissolved.

If using sesame oil, add it to the mixture and stir to combine. The sesame oil adds a nutty flavor to the marinade.

Taste the marinade and adjust the sweetness or saltiness according to your preference. You can add more brown sugar for sweetness or more soy sauce for saltiness.

Note: This makes a thin marinade. 

Tip: If you would like to turn it into a thicker teriyaki sauce, then whisk in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons of water, and heat, stirring often, in a pan over a low/medium heat until thick.

Scroll down for the full ingredients list and method.

Serving Suggestions

Teriyaki marinade is incredibly versatile and can be used in various ways to add flavor to a wide range of dishes. Here are some creative ways to use teriyaki marinade:

1. Marinate Proteins: The most common use of teriyaki marinade is to marinate proteins such as chicken, beef, pork, tofu, or seafood. See below for full instructions.
2. Grilling: Grill your marinated chicken skewers, beef kebabs, or tofu steaks for a mouthwatering meal that's sure to impress.
3. Stir-Frying: Use teriyaki marinade as a flavorful sauce for stir-fried dishes. Heat a wok or skillet over high heat, add your marinated protein and vegetables, and stir-fry until cooked through.
4. Glazing: Use teriyaki marinade as a glaze for roasted or grilled vegetables. Brush the marinade onto vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and eggplant before cooking for a sweet and savory flavor boost.
5. Dipping Sauce: Teriyaki marinade can also be used as a dipping sauce for appetizers or snacks. Serve it alongside spring rolls, potstickers, chicken wings, or sushi rolls for a tasty dipping option that's packed with flavor.
6. Rice Bowls: Create flavorful rice bowls by serving cooked rice topped with teriyaki-marinated proteins and steamed or stir-fried vegetables. Drizzle extra teriyaki marinade (reserve some before marinating any meats to avoid contamination) over the rice bowl for added flavor and enjoy a simple yet delicious meal that's perfect for lunch or dinner.

Experiment with these different ways to use teriyaki marinade to add a deliciously sweet and savory flavor to your favorite dishes. Whether you're grilling, stir-frying, baking, or sautéing, teriyaki marinade is sure to elevate your meals and impress your taste buds.

How to Use Japanese Teriyaki Marinade

1. Marinate the Protein: Place the chicken or beef pieces in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag and pour the teriyaki marinade over them, making sure they are fully submerged. Use your hands or a spoon to coat the protein evenly with the marinade. Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
2. Optional: Reserve Some Marinade: If you plan to use the marinade as a sauce for serving, reserve a portion of it before adding it to the raw chicken or beef. This prevents cross-contamination and ensures that the sauce is safe to consume.
3. Marinating Times: The marinating time can vary depending on the thickness of the chicken or beef pieces. As a general rule, marinate chicken for 30 minutes to 2 hours, and beef for 1 to 4 hours. Avoid marinating for too long, as the proteins can become mushy from prolonged exposure to the acidic ingredients in the marinade.
4. Cooking Methods: Once the chicken or beef has finished marinating, you can cook it using your preferred method. Grilling, broiling, pan-searing, or baking are all excellent options for cooking teriyaki-marinated proteins. Cook the chicken or beef until it reaches the desired level of doneness, brushing with additional marinade or sauce during cooking for extra flavor.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Once cooked, serve the teriyaki-marinated chicken or beef hot, garnished with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or chopped cilantro for added freshness and flavor. Enjoy your delicious homemade teriyaki dishes with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

How to Marinade Safely

Using marinades safely is essential to prevent foodborne illness and ensure that your dishes are not only delicious but also safe to consume. Here are some tips on how to use marinades safely:

1. Refrigerate: Always marinate proteins in the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth, and never leave them at room temperature.
2. Use Non-Reactive Containers: Choose glass, stainless steel, or food-grade plastic containers for marinating to avoid reactions with acidic ingredients.
3. Discard Used Marinade: Never reuse marinade that has come into contact with raw meat, poultry, or seafood to prevent cross-contamination.
4. Thorough Cooking: Ensure that marinated proteins are cooked thoroughly to the recommended internal temperature to kill any bacteria present.
5. Prevent Cross-Contamination: Use separate utensils and containers for raw and cooked foods to avoid spreading harmful bacteria.

Storage

Store leftover teriyaki marinade in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Shake or stir well before using, as the ingredients may separate over time.

Recipe Tips

1. Marinate proteins for at least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight, for maximum flavor penetration.
2. Reserve some marinade before adding it to raw proteins to use as a sauce for serving.
3. Don't skip the optional cornstarch if you prefer a thicker teriyaki sauce for coating grilled or roasted dishes.
4. Experiment with different ratios of ingredients to customize the flavor of the marinade to your liking.

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📖 Recipe

Teriyaki Marinade

This 5-minute homemade Teriyaki Marinade recipe is perfect for adding authentic Japanese flavor to chicken, beef, veggies, or tofu.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Condiments

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: teriyaki marinade

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 78kcal

Author: Kate | You Say Potatoes

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

• Bowl
• Whisk

Ingredients

• ½ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger minced or grated
• 2 tablespoons mirin / rice wine
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil optional, for added flavor
• Optional: 1 tablespoon cornstarch if you want to thicken the marinade into a sauce

Instructions

• In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, honey, minced garlic, minced ginger, and mirin. Mix well until the sugar has dissolved.
• If using sesame oil, add it to the mixture and stir to combine. The sesame oil adds a nutty flavor to the marinade.
• Taste the marinade and adjust the sweetness or saltiness according to your preference. You can add more brown sugar for sweetness or more soy sauce for saltiness.
• Note: This makes a thin marinade.
• Tip: If you would like to turn it into a thicker teriyaki sauce, then whisk in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons of water, and heat, stirring often, in a pan over a low/medium heat until thick.

Tried this recipe?Head down to the comments and give it a star rating!

Nutrition

Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 0.03g | Saturated Fat: 0.003g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 1127mg | Potassium: 62mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 0.1IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.