Are you a fan of teriyaki sauce but don’t have mirin or sake on hand?
Don’t worry, you can still make a delicious teriyaki sauce with just a few simple ingredients.
This versatile sauce is perfect for marinating and glazing proteins, vegetables, and even tofu.
In this article, we’ll show you how to make teriyaki sauce without mirin or sake, and answer some common questions about this popular Japanese condiment.
So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
How To Make Teriyaki Sauce Without Mirin Or Sake?
To make teriyaki sauce without mirin or sake, you’ll need the following ingredients:
– 1 cup (8 oz) water
– 5 tablespoons (67 g) packed light brown sugar
– 1/4 cup (2 oz) low sodium soy sauce
– 1-2 tablespoons honey
– 1 large clove garlic, minced
– 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
– 2 tablespoons cornstarch
– 1/4 cup (2 oz) cold water
First, combine the water, brown sugar, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Add the cornstarch mixture to the saucepan and stir until well combined.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for 5-10 minutes, or until it thickens to your desired consistency. Be sure to stir the sauce frequently to prevent it from burning.
Once the sauce has thickened, remove it from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes before using it as a marinade or glaze.
What Is Teriyaki Sauce?
Teriyaki sauce is a popular sauce that originated in Japan and is now enjoyed all around the world. It has a distinct savory-salty-sweet flavor with lots of umami undertones. Traditionally, teriyaki sauce is made with soy sauce, mirin, and sake, with a few pinches of sugar and ginger in some cases. However, many people in America add brown sugar or honey, garlic, ginger, pineapple juice, and sesame seeds to their teriyaki sauce. This variation actually hails from Hawaii, where Japanese immigrants introduced the concept, and locals mixed in their local addition of pineapples and began using it as a marinade and sauce on chicken and pork especially.
The golden ratio of ingredients for teriyaki sauce is called “Ogonhi” in Japanese. For the 4 ingredients of teriyaki sauce, the ratio is 2:2:2:1 – 2 parts soy sauce, 2 parts sake, 2 parts mirin, and 1 part sugar. It doesn’t matter what you use to measure; you can use a teaspoon for a small amount or a ladle or cup for a larger batch.
If you don’t have mirin or sake on hand or prefer not to use them in your teriyaki sauce recipe, you can still enjoy this delicious sauce by using the ingredients listed above. The brown sugar adds sweetness while the soy sauce provides saltiness and umami flavor. Honey adds an extra layer of sweetness and helps to thicken the sauce. Garlic and ginger add depth of flavor while cornstarch helps to thicken the sauce to your desired consistency. Overall, teriyaki sauce is a versatile and flavorful addition to any dish.
Why Make Teriyaki Sauce Without Mirin Or Sake?
While traditional teriyaki sauce recipes call for mirin and sake, it’s not always easy to find these ingredients at your local grocery store. Additionally, some people may prefer to avoid alcohol in their cooking or simply want to make a teriyaki sauce with fewer ingredients.
This recipe for teriyaki sauce without mirin or sake uses pantry staples like soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, garlic, and ginger to create a bold and flavorful sauce that can be used as a marinade or as a glaze for your favorite meats and vegetables.
By omitting the mirin and sake, you also eliminate the need for specialty ingredients that may not be readily available in your area. This recipe is easy to make with ingredients that you likely already have on hand.
Furthermore, this recipe allows for customization based on personal taste preferences. You can adjust the amount of honey or brown sugar to make the sauce sweeter or less sweet, and you can add more garlic or ginger for extra flavor.
Ingredients Needed To Make Teriyaki Sauce Without Mirin Or Sake
If you want to make teriyaki sauce without mirin or sake, you can use the following ingredients:
– 1 cup (8 oz) water
– 5 tablespoons (67 g) packed light brown sugar
– 1/4 cup (2 oz) low sodium soy sauce
– 1-2 tablespoons honey
– 1 large clove garlic, minced
– 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
– 2 tablespoons cornstarch
– 1/4 cup (2 oz) cold water
These ingredients will give your teriyaki sauce a sweet and savory taste without the need for mirin or sake. The soy sauce provides the salty base, while the honey and brown sugar add sweetness. The garlic and ginger add depth of flavor, while the cornstarch thickens the sauce to a beautiful shiny glaze.
To make the teriyaki sauce, simply combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Whisk together the cornstarch and cold water in a separate bowl, then add it to the saucepan and stir until well combined.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for 5-10 minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency. Be sure to stir it frequently to prevent burning.
Once your teriyaki sauce has thickened, remove it from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes before using it as a marinade or glaze. With these simple ingredients, you can enjoy delicious homemade teriyaki sauce without having to use mirin or sake.
Tips For Using Teriyaki Sauce In Your Cooking
Teriyaki sauce is a versatile and flavorful condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some tips for using teriyaki sauce in your cooking:
1. As a marinade: Teriyaki sauce makes an excellent marinade for meats, such as chicken, beef, or pork. Simply marinate the meat in the sauce for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight) before cooking.
2. As a glaze: Brush teriyaki sauce onto grilled or roasted meats, seafood, or vegetables during the last few minutes of cooking to add a sweet and savory glaze.
3. In stir-fries: Use teriyaki sauce as a flavoring agent in stir-fries by adding it to the pan along with your vegetables and protein.
4. As a dipping sauce: Serve teriyaki sauce as a dipping sauce for appetizers such as spring rolls, dumplings, or chicken wings.
5. In rice bowls: Drizzle teriyaki sauce over rice bowls (such as poke bowls or bibimbap) to add flavor and moisture.
6. As a salad dressing: Mix teriyaki sauce with rice vinegar, minced shallot, lime juice, and olive oil to make a delicious dressing for salads.
7. Customize the recipe: Experiment with adding different ingredients to the basic teriyaki sauce recipe to customize it to your liking. For example, try adding pineapple juice for a tropical twist or hot sauce for some heat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teriyaki Sauce Without Mirin Or Sake
If you’re looking to make teriyaki sauce without mirin or sake, you may have some questions. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to help you out:
1. What can I use instead of mirin in teriyaki sauce?
If you don’t have mirin, you can substitute it with sake or white wine. Alternatively, you can use half the amount of rice vinegar instead.
2. What can I use instead of sake in teriyaki sauce?
If you don’t have sake, you can substitute it with dry sherry or white wine. You could also use more mirin and reduce the honey.
3. Can I skip the mirin and sake in teriyaki sauce?
Yes, you can make teriyaki sauce without mirin or sake using the recipe provided above.
4. Will the taste be different without mirin or sake?
Yes, the taste may be slightly different without mirin or sake, but it will still be a delicious teriyaki sauce.
5. How can I thicken teriyaki sauce without cornstarch?
You can thicken teriyaki sauce by reducing it on the stove until it becomes thick and syrupy. Alternatively, you can use arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch.
6. Is teriyaki sauce without mirin or sake still healthy?
Yes, teriyaki sauce without mirin or sake can still be healthy if used in moderation and combined with nutrient-rich food products. It is a good source of protein and other nutrients and has negligible amounts of fat. However, be mindful of its high sodium content.
By following these tips and tricks, you can make delicious teriyaki sauce without mirin or sake and enjoy it with your favorite dishes.
