HOW TO: TERIYAKI SAUCE
Did you see those collard green and teriyaki jackfruit egg rolls AP posted on Instagram? When she called and told me about them, I know I had the perfect and simple teriyaki sauce recipe for these egg rolls. This teriyaki sauce is proof that many times 1) homemade tastes better and 2) sometimes we imagine things are harder to make than they really are. Not only is this an easy recipe, but you will likely have everything you need already in your cupboard.
So what is Teriyaki Sauce? The simple answer is teriyaki sauce is a soy sauce-based condiment that can also be used as a marinade. However, if you’ve ever had teriyaki sauce, you know it is so much more than that. It is a little taste of heaven. With its origins in Hawaii, teriyaki sauce is a fusion of tropical and Asian flavor profiles. The sauce was born, so to speak, when the newly arrived Japanese combined local ingredients like pineapple and brown sugar with soy sauce. I am excited to share my version of this delicious treat with you today.
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HOW TO MAKE TERIYAKI SAUCE
Into a small pan, add 1 cup water, 6 tablespoons of packed brown sugar, ¼ cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, and ¾ teaspoon powdered ginger. Bring to a soft boil, stir occasionally. As you wait for the mixture to boil, mix ¼ cup of lukewarm water with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in a small bowl.
Once the liquid has reached a soft boil, turn the heat off and slowly stir the cornstarch mixture into the hot soy sauce mixture. The liquid will thicken into a beautiful dark brown sauce. Carefully pour into a clean pint-size canning jar or another container with a tight-fitting lid. Avoid using a plastic container because the plastic may stain and absorb some of the soy-ginger fragrance. You’re all done! Talk about easy.
ARE YOU FEELING ADVENTUROUS?
This basic teriyaki sauce is delicious by itself, but we always love good flavor options. Here are a few ways you can amp up the flavor in your sauce:
Substitute half the water with orange juice, pineapple, or mango juice. Why not a mixture of all three? The fruit juice will add brightness to the sauce.
Add a tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds for an added nutty flavor and increased health benefits.
Out of Brown Sugar? Substitute white granulated sugar, honey, or agave. Next time I make this, I will add a touch of Ginger Syrup to up the spiciness. You can purchase my favorite ginger syrup, The Ginger People – Fiji Ginger Syrup on Amazon. If you want some fancy glass jars – to store your sauce or give as gifts – try these jars I found on Amazon.
TIPS FOR USING TERIYAKI SAUCE
I like to use the teriyaki sauce on baked tofu slices, roasted parsnips, and roasted carrots. You can also toss some cooked chickpeas in this sauce for a high-protein snack or side-dish.
Let’s not forget grilling Portobello mushroom caps and then using the caps for a Teriyaki Mushroom sandwich.
Speaking of grilling, if pineapples are in season in your area, grill pineapple and peaches with this Teriyaki sauce as a glaze. You can thank me later.