Teriyaki marinade and sauce is a versatile and flavorful addition to many grilled dishes. Whether you're marinating chicken, beef, seafood, or vegetables, this recipe will give your griddled creations a delicious teriyaki twist. Here's how to make your own teriyaki marinade and sauce:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup soy sauce (use low-sodium for a milder flavor)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- Optional: Red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce for heat (adjust to your spice preference)
Instructions:
1. Preparing the Marinade:
- In a saucepan, combine the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, granulated sugar, mirin, minced garlic, minced ginger, and honey.
2. Simmering the Sauce:
- Heat the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugars and incorporate the flavors.
- Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5-7 minutes, or until it starts to thicken slightly.
3. Creating the Slurry:
- In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry.
4. Thickening the Sauce:
- Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering sauce while continuously stirring.
- Continue to cook and stir for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the teriyaki sauce has reached your desired thickness.
5. Adjusting the Flavor:
- Taste the teriyaki sauce and adjust the sweetness or spiciness according to your preference. You can add more sugar, honey, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.
6. Cooling and Storing:
- Remove the teriyaki sauce from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- Once cooled, transfer the teriyaki sauce to an airtight container for storage.
7. Using the Teriyaki Marinade and Sauce:
- You can use the teriyaki sauce as a marinade for your choice of protein (chicken, beef, seafood) or vegetables. Simply marinate for at least 30 minutes before grilling.
- When grilling, baste the protein or vegetables with the teriyaki sauce as they cook for added flavor.
- The teriyaki sauce can also be used as a dipping sauce for your grilled items.
Enjoy your homemade teriyaki marinade and sauce on your griddled dishes. It adds a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors to your grilled creations.