Healthy Homemade Teriyaki Marinade
This quick and flavorful healthy homemade teriyaki marinade comes together in just 5 minutes and works beautifully for chicken, steak, seafood, or vegetables. It’s a small-batch, easy-to-customize recipe that you’ll want to keep on hand for all your weeknight meals.
Looking for more versatile condiments? Try Ginger Scallion Sauce, Original Buffalo Sauce, or Stone Ground Mustard Sauce next.
Introduction
I’ve tried a lot of teriyaki marinades over the years, but this homemade version is the one I keep coming back to. It’s rich, savory-sweet, and comes together with ingredients I always have on hand. Whether you’re marinating meat, tofu, or vegetables, it soaks in beautifully and delivers big flavor every time.
This recipe is great for both weekly meal prep and quick weeknight dinners. I often mix up a batch ahead of time so it’s ready to go — it’s one of those simple kitchen staples that makes home cooking easier and a whole lot more flavorful.
If you’re craving something with an Italian twist instead, my vegan Italian dressing also works beautifully as a marinade.
Why This Recipe Works
- Ready in just 5 minutes, this marinade requires no cooking — just measure, mix, and go.
- Made with everyday pantry staples, so there’s a good chance you already have everything you need.
- Versatile enough to use on meat, seafood, or vegetables, which makes it easy to work into any meal plan.
- Perfect for prepping in advance, just like my garlic butter medallions — both can be made ahead and served across multiple meals throughout the week.
- Keeps well in the fridge, giving you a flavorful marinade that’s ready to use whenever you need it.
Ingredients For Homemade Teriyaki Marinade
These ingredients are simple, but they pack in flavor.
- Fresh ginger: I always use fresh over powdered in this marinade — it adds brightness and an earthy depth that dried versions just can’t replicate.
- Honey and brown sugar: I like using both these sweeteners because they bring different qualities to the sauce — the honey gives a smooth, natural sweetness, while the brown sugar adds richness and helps the marinade cling to whatever you’re cooking.
- Sesame oil: This is one ingredient I never skip or substitute. It brings that essential toasty, nutty flavor that gives teriyaki its signature taste. A little goes a long way.
See recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
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Variations or Substitutions
- Add a little heat with red pepper flakes or a spoonful of chili paste — both offer a subtle kick that plays well with the sweet and savory base.
- Use maple syrup or coconut sugar only if that’s what you have on hand — they’ll sweeten the marinade, but won’t bring the same depth or balance as the honey and brown sugar combination.
- Try citrus zest or juice to add a fresh, bright note — lemon, lime, or orange juice all work well. You can also freeze any excess citrus juice leftover from this recipe using the same method I use freeze fresh lemon juice.
- Soy sauce or tamari can be substituted in place of liquid aminos if needed. The flavor will shift slightly, but they’ll still get the job done in a pinch.
How To Make Teriyaki Marinade
This simple marinade comes together in three quick steps.
Step 1: Add all ingredients to a medium mixing bowl and whisk until the sugar dissolves and everything is well combined.
Step 2: Once smooth, your teriyaki marinade is ready to use right away or store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to one week.
Recipe FAQS
Not directly. It’s a thin marinade designed to flavor food while cooking. For a sauce, reduce it on the stove or add cornstarch to thicken.
At least 30 minutes. Overnight is ideal for deeper flavor.
Only if it hasn’t come into contact with raw meat. Otherwise, discard after use.
Yes, as long as you confirm all individual ingredients are gluten-free versions.
Yes. Freeze in portions for easy use later.
Serve
This teriyaki marinade is incredibly versatile and works beautifully on everything from chicken thighs and steak tips to pork chops and shrimp. I like to marinate proteins a few hours ahead of time, then grill or pan-sear them until caramelized and flavorful. It’s also a great way to bring life to weeknight meals — just toss it with vegetables and rice in a hot skillet for a quick, homemade teriyaki stir-fry.
For an extra layer of flavor, finish your dish with toasted sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or a few pineapple rings to add a bright, tropical twist. And if you’re serving marinated meats, my vegan Korean pancakes make a savory, crispy side that fits right in with the flavor profile. Whether you’re cooking indoors or firing up the grill, this marinade turns simple ingredients into something truly satisfying.
Expert Tips
- Add heat: For a spicy kick, try adding red pepper flakes or chili paste to the marinade.
- Sweetness adjustment: Adjust the sweetness by adding more honey or brown sugar based on your taste preferences.
- Marinate longer: For a deeper flavor, let the meat or vegetables marinate for at least an hour, or longer, in the fridge. Overnight is optimal.
- Storage tip: Store leftover marinade in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Batch prep: Double the recipe if you plan to use it on both meat and vegetables.
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Homemade Teriyaki Marinade
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup liquid aminos (soy sauce can be substituted)
- 2 tbls honey
- 2 tbls brown sugar packed
- 2 tbls rice wine vinegar
- 2 tbls sesame oil
- 1 tbls fresh ginger chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together all the ingredients until the sugar has dissolved and the marinade is smooth.
- Adjust Flavor: Taste the marinade and adjust sweetness or tang by adding more honey, sugar, or vinegar if desired.
- Store or Use: Once combined, your teriyaki marinade is ready to use immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Video
Notes
- Add Heat: For a spicy kick, try adding red pepper flakes or chili paste to the marinade.
- Sweetness Adjustment: Adjust the sweetness by adding more honey or brown sugar based on your taste preferences.
- Marinate Longer: For a deeper flavor, let the meat or vegetables marinate for at least 30 minutes (or longer in the fridge).
- Storage Tip: Store leftover marinade in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Wow this looks delicious!
Thank you!
This was so easy to assemble. It’s nice to make home made sauces when I can. Thanks for your tips and easy instructions.
Thanks so much! I agree that homemade sauces are best when they can be done.
my mouth is watering. im excited to givc this recipe a try!
I do hope you love it as much as I do. I use it all the time 😉
This homemade teriyaki marinade is packed with bold, delicious flavor and is so easy to make. It’s perfect for marinating chicken, beef, seafood, or veggies, giving them the perfect balance of sweet and savory. If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think. Be sure to leave a review and let me know how it turned out for you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments — I’m happy to help!