Ever found yourself in the middle of cooking only to realize you’re out of teriyaki sauce? You’re not alone! People are now discovering how easy and affordable it is to make your own teriyaki sauce with just two simple ingredients: soy sauce and brown sugar. TikToker Rachel Appley (@hey.im.rach) recently shared this straightforward recipe in one of her viral videos, racking up over 1.2 million views.
How to Make Homemade Teriyaki Sauce Rachel’s “In case your mom didn’t teach you” series on TikTok has quickly become a go-to for simple, practical life hacks. Her teriyaki sauce recipe couldn’t be more straightforward. Simply combine soy sauce and brown sugar in a pot, stir over heat until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens, and voila—homemade teriyaki sauce! The simplicity of this recipe has surprised many. Some commenters even realized they’d been making teriyaki sauce all along without knowing it. It’s a perfect example of how the internet can turn everyday kitchen skills into viral moments.
Is It Cheaper to Make? The real question—does making your own teriyaki sauce save money? It depends on what you have in your pantry. With soy sauce available for as little as $1.79 and brown sugar for around $2.50, the homemade version could save you money, especially if you already have the ingredients at home. Plus, you’ll have plenty of brown sugar left over for future recipes. If you’re watching your sugar intake, you can easily swap the brown sugar for a low-calorie sweetener of your choice, and if you prefer a thicker sauce, just add a bit of cornstarch to get that perfect consistency. 
Why DIY? Aside from saving a few bucks, making your own teriyaki sauce gives you complete control over what goes into it. Want to avoid certain additives or food dyes? Or maybe you have a specific allergy? When you make it at home, you’re in charge of what goes in—and what stays out. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also experiment with adding garlic, ginger, or even honey for a more customized flavor.
@hey.im.rach If you’re feeling fancy you can add ginger, garlic, etc. Sky’s the limit! ✨ I love you forever! Xoxo, your tiktok mom 💕 • • #teriyaki #cooking #tiktokmom #fyp ♬ Baby I’m Yours – Arctic Monkeys
More Sauces to Try This trend isn’t limited to teriyaki sauce. TikTokers are sharing a variety of quick homemade sauces. One user suggested an easy General Tso’s recipe: “Add garlic, crushed red pepper, ginger, rice vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, and chili garlic paste.” Another fan favorite is a homemade BBQ sauce using just brown sugar, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Next time you’re running low on your favorite sauce, why not try whipping up your own version at home? It’s quick, easy, and may even taste better than store-bought.
