If you’re still using teriyaki sauce from a bottle, you’re doing it all wrong. And you’re depriving yourself of the awesomeness that is homemade teriyaki.
I didn’t set out to master DIY teriyaki sauce, but my 11-year-old suddenly started craving the stuff. Not even sure where he ate it that it was so good to inspire almost nightly requests for it. But knowing how simple this potent sweet-savory sauce is to make, I refused to buy it. It took a few attempts, but eventually I nailed an incredibly versatile and delicious version.
And by versatile, I mean I slather it on whatever protein I have on hand — chicken, steak, pork or salmon. I’ve included the basic recipe for the sauce, as well as instructions for using it on each of those dishes.
TERIYAKI SAUCE
Start to finish: 5 minutes
Makes 1 cup
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons Sriracha (or other hot sauce)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and whisk until the sugar is dissolved.
CHICKEN
Slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts into thin strips. Add them to the sauce, then refrigerate up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, set a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Coat the rack with cooking spray.
Arrange the chicken strips in an even layer on the rack, then set under broiler on the oven’s middle shelf for 3-5 minutes, or until just starting to brown. Flip the chicken pieces, then cook for another 3-5 minutes. Meanwhile, pour the marinade into a small saucepan over medium-high and boil for 3 minutes. When chicken comes out of the oven, drizzle boiled marinade over the pieces.
PORK
Substitute pork tenderloin, similarly sliced, for the chicken breasts above and follow the same method.
STEAK
Cut a 1 1/2-pound flank steak against the grain into thin strips. Add to teriyaki sauce and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add a couple tablespoons of canola, vegetable or sesame oil. When oil is hot, use tongs or fork to remove steak from marinade and add to skillet. Cook 2-4 minutes. You want it barely cooked.
Add marinade to pan and bring to a simmer. Cook for another 1-2 minutes. Serve steak and sauce over rice or noodles.
SALMON
Arrange 4 salmon fillets on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Brush each liberally with teriyaki sauce. Broil on oven’s middle shelf 1-2 minutes, then brush with additional teriyaki. Repeat this process 3-4 times, or until salmon is just cooked and well glazed, a total of about 6-8 minutes under the broiler. Garnish with chopped scallions, sesame seeds or both.
food recipes teriyaki sauce
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