Hawaiian Teriyaki Sauce

Hawaiian teriyaki sauce combines the savory flavor of soy sauce with sweetness from sugar, pineapple, or honey. This simple sauce works as both a marinade and a glaze, adding balanced, tropical flavor to meats, seafood, and vegetables.

Unlike traditional Japanese teriyaki, the Hawaiian version often uses local ingredients for a lighter, fruitier taste.

This sauce has become a staple in island-inspired cooking because it tenderizes and adds flavor at the same time. Brush it on grilled chicken, toss it with stir-fried vegetables, or use it as a dipping sauce.

Its balance of sweet and savory makes it easy to pair with many dishes. You can quickly make Hawaiian teriyaki sauce at home with just a few ingredients and a few minutes on the stove.

Once you know the basics, you can adjust the recipe to fit your taste and use it in different meals throughout the week.

Why You Will Love Hawaiian Teriyaki Sauce

She first discovered Hawaiian teriyaki sauce while trying to recreate a dish from a trip to the islands. The sauce stood out because it balanced sweetness, saltiness, and a touch of ginger heat in a simple, satisfying way.

At a family cookout, she used it as a marinade for chicken thighs. The meat came off the grill tender, with a glossy coating that everyone wanted seconds of.

What impressed her most was how little effort it took—just a short simmer of everyday ingredients. He later tried the sauce on vegetables and a quick stir-fry.

Each time, the flavor adapted without overpowering the dish. The versatility made it easy to use for both small and large meals.

Reasons people enjoy it:

• Works as both a marinade and a glaze
• Uses common pantry ingredients like soy sauce and sugar
• Stores well in the fridge or freezer
• Complements chicken, beef, pork, seafood, and vegetables

Feature	Benefit
Sweet + Savory	Balances flavors in one sauce
Quick to make	Ready in about 10 minutes
Adaptable	Pairs with many cooking methods
Customizable	Adjust garlic, ginger, or spice

She found that once the sauce became part of her routine, it replaced bottled versions. The homemade taste felt fresher, and she could easily adjust sweetness or thickness.

How To Make Hawaiian Teriyaki Sauce

Hawaiian teriyaki sauce blends soy sauce, sugar, and ginger into a base that is both sweet and savory. Some cooks add pineapple juice for a tropical flavor that helps tenderize meat and balance the saltiness.

The process is simple and requires only a few tools.

Ingredients

The classic Hawaiian teriyaki sauce recipe uses soy sauce, sugar, and fresh ginger. A 1:1 ratio of soy sauce to sugar is common in Hawaii, giving the sauce its signature sweetness.

White sugar gives a clean flavor, but brown sugar or honey can be used for a deeper taste. Grate or finely chop fresh ginger to add brightness and slight heat.

Garlic is optional but often included for extra depth. For variation, many people add pineapple juice, which gives a fruity note and helps tenderize meat.

Rice vinegar or a splash of sake can be used if available, but they are not required.

A simple ingredient list:

Ingredient	Amount (base recipe)
Soy sauce	1 cup
Sugar	1 cup
Fresh ginger	2–3 tablespoons
Pineapple juice*	¼ cup (optional)
Garlic*	1–2 cloves, minced

*Optional additions depending on taste.

Instruments

You only need basic kitchen tools to make this sauce. Use a small saucepan for heating and combining the ingredients.

A wooden spoon or heat-safe spatula helps stir the mixture evenly. Use a fine grater or microplane for fresh ginger.

If using garlic, a knife or garlic press works well. Measuring cups and spoons ensure the right balance of sweet and salty flavors.

A small whisk can help dissolve sugar quickly. Store the finished sauce in a glass jar with a tight lid.

Once cooled, refrigerate the sauce for several weeks. A clear container makes it easy to check freshness.

Step-By-Step Instruction

1. 
   

   Combine ingredients
   
   Place soy sauce, sugar, and grated ginger in a small saucepan. Add pineapple juice or garlic if desired.

   
   
2. 
   

   Heat and dissolve
   
   Set the pan over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Avoid burning or boiling too quickly.

   
   
3. 
   

   Simmer
   
   Lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. This blends the flavors and thickens the sauce slightly.

   
   
4. 
   

   Optional thickening
   
   For a glaze, mix 2 teaspoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water. Stir this into the simmering sauce until it thickens.

   
   
5. 
   

   Cool and store
   
   Remove the pan from heat and let the sauce cool. Pour it into a clean glass jar and refrigerate.

   
   

Use the sauce as a marinade, glaze, or dipping sauce with chicken, beef, fish, tofu, or vegetables. Pineapple juice adds a distinctly Hawaiian touch.

Tips & Tricks

She found that the flavor of Hawaiian teriyaki sauce depends on fresh ingredients. Fresh garlic, ginger, and pineapple juice make the sauce brighter and more balanced.

Even small swaps, like using fresh lime instead of bottled juice, made a noticeable difference. She always added sugar gradually to control sweetness.

Some recipes use molasses, while others rely on white or brown sugar. Tasting as the sauce simmers helps balance salty and sweet flavors.

Flavor Too Strong	How to Fix It
Too salty	Add pineapple juice or water
Too sweet	Add soy sauce or rice vinegar
Too sour	Add a pinch of sugar
Too thin	Simmer longer to reduce

Letting the sauce rest for at least 30 minutes in the fridge helps the flavors meld. This makes it more effective as a marinade or glaze.

She preferred light soy sauce for a milder taste. A splash of sesame oil at the end adds depth without overpowering the sweetness.

The sauce shines when paired with grilled foods. The char from the grill matches the sweet-salty glaze, making chicken, beef, or vegetables more flavorful.

Ingredient Substitute

Cooks often adjust Hawaiian teriyaki sauce ingredients based on what they have at home. Simple swaps keep the flavor balanced and let you customize the sauce.

Many people use low sodium soy sauce to reduce saltiness. This works well when using the sauce as both a marinade and glaze.

For sweetness, white sugar is traditional, but brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup offer different flavors. Molasses adds a darker, slightly smoky taste.

Quick ingredient swaps:

Original Ingredient	Substitute Options	Flavor Notes
Soy Sauce	Low sodium soy sauce, tamari	Less salty, smoother
White Sugar	Brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, molasses	Deeper or more natural sweetness
Ginger	Ground ginger (if fresh not available)	Milder, less sharp
Vinegar (optional)	Rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, white vinegar	Light tang, varies by type

If you add garlic, you can swap it for garlic powder if needed. Each change shifts the flavor slightly, but the sauce stays versatile.

What To Serve With Hawaiian Teriyaki Sauce

Hawaiian teriyaki sauce pairs well with both proteins and vegetables. Its sweet and savory flavor works in many meals.

Grilled meats like chicken, beef, and pork absorb the sauce well. Brush it on during cooking or use it as a finishing glaze.

Fish, especially salmon, also tastes great with this sauce. Grilled or baked preparations work best.

Vegetables like grilled pineapple, onions, or bell peppers bring out the sauce’s sweetness. Steamed broccoli or stir-fried cabbage add a fresh, crisp contrast.

Some serving ideas:

Food Type	Examples	How to Use Sauce
Proteins	Chicken, beef, pork, salmon	Marinade, glaze, or dip
Vegetables	Pineapple, onions, bell peppers	Grill or sauté, then drizzle
Carbs	Rice, noodles, brioche buns	Serve as base or sandwich side

Carbohydrates help round out the meal. White rice, fried rice, or noodles soak up the sauce well.

Buns can turn teriyaki chicken into a sandwich with grilled pineapple and onions. Some enjoy the sauce with snacks like Spam musubi, where rice and Spam are wrapped in seaweed and topped with teriyaki sauce.

How To Store Hawaiian Teriyaki Sauce

She once forgot a half-used bottle of Hawaiian teriyaki sauce in the pantry for weeks. When she opened it, the smell was sour, and the flavor was off.

Unopened bottles last 1–2 years in a cool, dry place. Store them on a pantry shelf away from sunlight.

After opening, keep the sauce in the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C). Cold storage preserves flavor and slows spoilage.

Most opened bottles stay good for about 6 months. For homemade sauce, refrigerate and use within 2–3 days.

Freezing small portions can extend its use to around 6 months.

Quick checklist:

• Unopened: Pantry, 1–2 years
• Opened: Refrigerator, up to 6 months
• Homemade: Refrigerator, 2–3 days
• Frozen: Up to 6 months

If you notice mold, a sour odor, or unusual texture, throw the sauce away. Safe storage keeps the flavor fresh and prevents foodborne illness.

Nutrition Breakdown

Hawaiian teriyaki sauce is low in calories but high in sodium. A typical serving of 1 tablespoon (15g) contains about 20 calories, with most of those calories coming from sugar.

It provides almost no fat or protein.

Here is a quick snapshot per 15g serving:

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value*
Calories	20	1%
Total Fat	0g	0%
Protein	0g	0%
Carbohydrates	4g	1%
Total Sugars	4g	8%
Sodium	620mg	26%

*Based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

The sauce mainly contains water, sugar, and soy sauce. This combination gives it a sweet, salty taste and a thin texture.

It does not offer meaningful amounts of vitamins or minerals. The sodium content is significant.

Just one tablespoon provides about one-quarter of the daily sodium limit. People who watch their salt intake may want to use smaller portions.

Since the sauce contains sugar without fiber, protein, or fat, it can raise blood sugar levels quickly.

Pairing the sauce with lean protein and vegetables can help balance a meal. Using it as a light glaze instead of a heavy pour keeps sodium and sugar intake lower.