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Mo Bettahs Teriyaki Sauce

Mo Bettahs Teriyaki Sauce

This homemade Mo Bettahs teriyaki sauce is a sweet, savory, glossy sauce made with soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, garlic, ginger, and a little rice vinegar. It is easy to make in one saucepan and works especially well with grilled chicken, rice, steak, vegetables, and stir-fries.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Hawaiian-style
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup 100% pineapple juice
  • 3 garlic cloves finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Equipment

  • small saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Fine grater
  • Airtight container for storage

Method
 

  1. Combine the sauce ingredients: Add the soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, minced garlic, grated ginger, and rice vinegar to a small saucepan.
  2. Warm the mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and whisk until the brown sugar has dissolved completely.
  3. Simmer gently: Reduce the heat slightly and let the sauce simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Make the slurry: In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with cold water until completely smooth.
  5. Thicken the sauce: Slowly pour the cornstarch mixture into the simmering sauce while whisking continuously.
  6. Cook until glossy: Continue cooking for about 30–60 seconds, until the sauce becomes smooth, glossy, and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  7. Finish the sauce: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the toasted sesame oil.
  8. Rest before serving: Let the sauce sit for about 5 minutes. It will thicken slightly more as it cools.

Notes

Recipe Notes

  • Use fresh ginger when possible for a brighter flavor.
  • Do not add dry cornstarch directly to the hot sauce because it can create lumps.
  • Do not over-boil the sauce after adding the cornstarch.
  • For a less sweet sauce, reduce the brown sugar to ⅓ cup.
  • For a thinner sauce, whisk in a little water or pineapple juice.
  • For a thicker glaze, add a small additional cornstarch slurry.
  • If using it as a chicken marinade, reserve a clean portion for serving before adding raw chicken.

Storage

Cool the sauce completely and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to about 1 week for best quality.

Serving Ideas

Serve Mo Bettahs teriyaki sauce with:
  • Grilled teriyaki chicken
  • Jasmine or white rice
  • Steamed vegetables
  • Teriyaki steak
  • Stir-fried vegetables
  • Shrimp
  • Tofu
  • Rice bowls
Mo’ Bettahs itself lists its Teri Sauce as a sweet-and-savory sauce and pairs it with entrées including Teriyaki Chicken and Teriyaki Steak.

Nutrition Note

Nutrition will vary depending on the ingredients and serving size. The restaurant's own nutrition information lists 50 calories for one Teri Sauce cup, but that figure should not be used as the nutrition value for this homemade recipe.