Teriyaki Marinade and Sauce

Teriyaki Marinade and Sauce ~ 

A quick and delicious way to bring authentic Japanese-inspired flavor to your meals. 

Use as a marinade or sauce for tofu, veggies, and more!

Homemade Teriyaki Marinade and Sauce

I like this recipe because it’s all about balancing flavors—savory, sweet, and just a hint of tanginess. To make the marinade, all you do is whisk together tamari, sake, mirin, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Then toss it with your protein or veggies, let them soak up all that flavor, and you’re ready to cook. For the sauce, the marinade is heated with a little cornstarch until it thickens into a shiny glaze. 

This recipe works for a variety of meals. The marinade is great for meal prep; just pour over tofu or veggies to soak in the flavors ahead of time, then toss them into a stir-fry or bake for an easy dinner. The sauce also doubles as a great dipping option for spring rolls or potstickers, making it a handy addition to your weekly meal plan.

Used as either a marinade or sauce, this is a fresh and flavorful way to elevate your dinner with minimal effort.

​One Recipe – Multiple Uses

The marinade and sauce aren’t just for one type of dish—they’re versatile and can be incorporated into a variety of meals. Here are some ideas on how you can use them in different ways:

• Rice Bowls: Drizzle the marinade over cooked rice and top with sautéed vegetables, crispy tofu, or grilled tempeh for a complete, flavorful meal.
• Wraps: Use the sauce as a spread inside wraps, along with fresh veggies, your choice of protein (like marinated tofu or tempeh), and a handful of greens.
• Noodle Dishes: Toss cooked noodles with the marinade for a zesty kick. Add in your favorite sautéed veggies and proteins for a quick stir-fry or noodle bowl.
• Grilled Skewers: Marinate your protein and veggies, then skewer them for grilling or broiling. The sauce adds a delicious glaze as they cook.

Ingredients for Teriyaki Marinade and Sauce 

You will need the following:

• For Marinade:
• 1/2 cup sake 
• 1/2 cup mirin
• 6 tablespoons tamari
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, chopped
• Additional Needed for Sauce
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Ingredient Notes

• Sake: A Japanese rice wine that adds a rich, savory depth to the marinade. Dry sherry or rice vinegar can be used as a substitute, if needed.
• Mirin: This sweet rice wine balances the saltiness of tamari and gives the marinade its signature flavor.
• Tamari: A gluten-free alternative to soy sauce with a slightly richer, smoother taste. Soy sauce can also be used although it is slightly saltier than tamari, so you may want to adjust to taste.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness to the marinade and helps the sauce caramelize beautifully when cooked.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic brings a bold, aromatic kick to the marinade.
• Fresh Ginger: Adds warmth and a touch of spice that perfectly complements the other ingredients.
• Cornstarch: Used to thicken the marinade into a glossy sauce. 

Marinating Times

Marinating your ingredients is key to infusing them with flavor. For best results, follow these recommended times:

• Vegetables: Marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow the flavors to penetrate without losing their freshness.
• Tofu & Tempeh: 1–2 hours or overnight for a deeper, more intense flavor.
• Seitan & Plant-Based Meat: Marinate for 1 hour to overnight, depending on the desired flavor strength.

For quicker prep, you can also marinate ingredients in the fridge while you prepare the rest of your meal.

How to Make Teriyaki Marinade and Sauce 

For Teriyaki Marinade:

STEP ONE: Combine ingredients.In a small bowl, whisk together sake, mirin, tamari, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger.

STEP TWO: Add to protein or veggies. Use the marinade to flavor tofu, vegetables, or other ingredients of your choice.

For Teriyaki Sauce:

STEP ONE: Pour the prepared marinade into a small saucepan over medium-high heat.

STEP TWO: Whisk in cornstarch and stir continuously as the mixture comes to a boil and thickens.

STEP THREE: Remove from heat and serve warm or at room temperature as a glaze or dipping sauce.

FAQs

• Can I use this marinade for other dishes besides tofu and veggies? Yes! It works wonderfully on plant-based proteins like seitan or tempeh and even as a stir-fry sauce.
• What’s the difference between the marinade and sauce? The marinade is for soaking ingredients to absorb flavor, while the sauce is thickened with cornstarch to use as a glaze or topping.
• How do I avoid lumps when thickening the sauce? Whisk the cornstarch into the marinade while heating and stir continuously until the sauce thickens.
• How long should I marinate tofu or veggies? For tofu, aim for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to absorb. For veggies, 15–20 minutes is sufficient.
• Is this recipe gluten-free? Yes, as long as you use tamari (not soy sauce) and ensure your other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Storage

• Store any leftover teriyaki marinade or sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat the sauce gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the consistency.

More Recipes You’ll Love!

• Stir Fry Sauce​
• Garlic Sesame Noodles​
• Vegan Teriyaki Meatballs​
• Miso Grilled Tofu​
• Ramen Stir Fry​

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