Simply put, this homemade Spicy Teriyaki Sauce is bold, flavorful, and easy to make! It’s perfect for stir-frying, marinating, or drizzling over your favorite dishes. Made in just 10 minutes, it is the best sauce you will ever make—better than takeout!
I make this teriyaki sauce almost every other week. The simple reason is that my family loves it(also this spicy garlic edamame).
This delicious sauce is made with soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper. It's a fabulous sauce with fresh flavors that will keep you returning for more.
Just stir, simmer, and serve—follow these simple steps for a delicious homemade spicy teriyaki sauce in no time!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
⭐️Ready in less than 10 minutes.
⭐️Budget-friendly and a customizable recipe!
⭐️Better than the takeout and store-bought sauce!
Ingredients
- Soy sauce: For this recipe, choose low-sodium or light soy sauce. If using dark soy sauce, reduce the quantity and adjust to taste, as it is more concentrated and saltier.
- Corn starch thickens the sauce. You can substitute it with arrowroot starch or tapioca starch.
- Brown sugar: I prefer using brown sugar because of its mild flavor and color. However, you can substitute with brown sugar or honey.
- Rice vinegar: Adds mild tanginess and authentic Asian flavor. However, if it's not available, you can skip using it.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is an essential ingredient for the rich flavors.
- Ginger: Minced ginger gives a rich, earthy flavor, but it's optional in this recipe.
- Crushed red pepper: Adjust the quantity according to your heat tolerance.
How To Make Spicy Teriyaki Sauce
- Combine soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, light brown sugar, minced garlic, ginger, crushed red pepper, and cornstarch in a mixing bowl.
- Stir well until the cornstarch dissolves completely.
- Place a pan over low heat and pour in the prepared mixture. Keep the heat on a low-medium to avoid burning the sugar.
- Stir continuously as the sauce begins to thicken. Cook for about 2-3 minutes or until it reaches a smooth, glossy consistency that coats the back of a spoon, and start using.
♨️How To Adjust The Heat Level
This spicy teriyaki sauce has a noticeable heat, mainly from crushed red pepper, while garlic and ginger add warmth and depth.
If you prefer a milder sauce with low or no heat, you can reduce or skip the crushed red pepper based on your spice tolerance.
For extra heat, you can add Sriracha sauce, Thai chili paste, or even use some Asian-style Sichuan chili flakes for an extra kick.
How To Use
This spicy teriyaki sauce is incredibly versatile! Here are some delicious ways to use it:
- Marinade: Perfect for chicken, vegetables, or like this Tofu steak.
- Stir-fry sauce: Great for cooking vegetables or proteins like chicken or shrimp.
- Dipping sauce: Ideal for appetizers like dumplings and spring rolls.
- Noodle sauce: Toss it with noodles for a flavorful dish.
The Leftovers
- Store the sauce in the refrigerator for about a week or freeze it for up to three months.
- To thaw frozen sauce, place it in the refrigerator overnight or for at least eight hours. You can also defrost it gently in the microwave.
- When reheating, warm it over the stovetop or in the microwave. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water to loosen up the texture and stir well while reheating to prevent hot spots.
FAQ
The sauce is ready when it evenly coats the back of a spoon and has a glossy, slightly thickened texture. It should become smooth and slightly transparent. This happens quickly, so always cook on low heat and keep an eye on it to avoid over-thickening.
Yes, you can use this same hot teriyaki sauce as a marinade for the meat and veggies. Allow chicken to marinate for about 30 minutes to 1 hour. For seafood, at least 15 minutes will work better.
Absolutely! You can prepare this sauce and store it in the refrigerator for about a week. When ready to use, add a little water and reheat it quickly.
What variations can I try to make it more special?
You can add sesame seeds, chopped pineapple for a hint of sweetness, or sliced jalapeños for a fusion of flavors and extra heat.
More Asian Style Recipes To Try
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know your thoughts in the 📝 comments section below the recipe.
📖 Recipe
Spicy Teriyaki Sauce(Homemade)
Ingredients
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger minced
- ½ tablespoon crushed red pepper
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, light brown sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, crushed red pepper, and cornstarch.
- Stir well until cornstarch dilutes.
- In low to medium heat, add this mixture to a pan.
- Stir continuously, and cook it until the sauce thickens to the desired consistency.
Notes
- Adjust the heat level by reducing or skipping crushed red pepper for a milder version, or add Sriracha, Thai chili paste, or Sichuan chili flakes for extra spice.
- Use it as a marinade for chicken, seafood, or tofu, as a stir-fry sauce for vegetables and proteins, or as a dipping sauce for dumplings and spring rolls.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for three months. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of water if it thickens too much.
Ruxana says
The sauce looks so easy to make and perfect.
robert harvison says
very easy to follow
thank you very much
Sujatha Muralidhar says
Thanks and glad it is helped you!
Ken W. says
This is excellent sauce! I even use it to make beef jerky!
Sujatha Muralidhar says
Thank You Ken, And I love the combo too!