Teriyaki Sauce
Create a rich, sweet teriyaki sauce using soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake with a simple reduction technique.
Contents (3 sections)▾
Ingredients
- 100 ml soy sauce
- 100 ml mirin
- 50 g sugar
- 100 ml sake
Steps
In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of soy sauce, 1/2 cup of mirin, 1/4 cup of sugar, and 1/4 cup of sake. Stir well to dissolve the sugar.
Place the saucepan over medium heat (approximately 180°C / 350°F) and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Allow the sauce to simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a glaze-like consistency.
Remove from heat and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before using. The sauce will thicken further as it cools.
Why this works
The magic of teriyaki sauce comes from the careful reduction of sugar and soy sauce, which meld together to create a rich glaze. The soy sauce provides umami depth, while mirin adds a subtle sweetness and complexity through its fermentation process. Sugar acts as a key ingredient that caramelizes during cooking, enhancing the overall flavor profile. If the sauce seems too thin after cooking, simply return it to the heat for an additional 2-5 minutes to achieve the desired thickness. Conversely, if it becomes too thick, you can add a splash of water to adjust the consistency. This technique ensures a balanced and flavorful sauce that can elevate any dish, whether used as a marinade, glaze, or dipping sauce. The precision of time and temperature in this recipe is crucial, as it ensures that the ingredients meld properly, resulting in a well-rounded flavor that is both sweet and savory.
Revision log (Autopilot revise)
- 2026-06-12T07:37:02.765Z · fields: en:steps, en:whyThisWorks, ja:steps, ja:whyThisWorks, imageSpec · reason: auto-revise of quality