Yakiniku is a social trend popular throughout Japan that entails cooking bite-sized meats and vegetables on tabletop open-flame grill and dipping them into a tangy sauce called yakiniku sauce. While the meat often steals the show, I would argue that the yakiniku sauce is the key ingredient when making yakiniku. This mix of savory, sweet, and sometimes spicy flavors is hard to beat. In fact, my family likes it so much that we use yakiniku sauce in several other dishes as well.
In this article and video we will walk you through how to make this quick and delicious sauce step-by-step.
Table of Contents
What is Yakiniku Sauce?
Yakiniku sauce is a tangy Japanese take on Korean barbecue. It is composed of soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, sugar and roasted sesame seeds which gives it a mix of savory and sweet flavors. In addition, I like to add crushed red pepper to give it a spicy kick.
Widely used as a dipping sauce for yakiniku beef and vegetables, this sauce is a must try for anyone that enjoys anything on the grill.
How to Make Yakiniku Sauce
As with many sauces, yakiniku sauce is surprisingly quick and easy to make. As mentioned above, I like to add crushed red pepper as it gives the sauce a spicy kick. If you enjoy a little heat in your sauce, I would add one tablespoon as the recipe calls for. For those who really love spicy food, you can try two tablespoons of crushed red pepper. If you don’t like spicy food, I would leave the crushed red pepper out.
Below are step-by-step instructions on how to prepare this flavorful sauce.
1. Assemble the ingredients. I always like to pre-measure all the ingredients prior to cooking. I think this takes the stress out of it and allows you to move quickly when things are cooking.
2. Roast sesame seeds in pot over medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Once the sesame seeds are browned and releasing aromas, remove from heat.
3. Combine all ingredients except the sesame seeds into a sauce pan and stir to combine.
4. Heat over medium heat and bring to a simmer stirring constantly. Reduce heat once the sauce comes to a boil, and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes continuing to stir frequently.
5. Remove from heat and allow to cool for at least 20 minutes (the longer the better).
6. Strain into a mixing bowl.
7. Add sesame seeds and gently stir sesame seeds into sauce.
8. Your sauce is ready! Enjoy!
Yakiniku Sauce Recipe
Yakiniku Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Sauce pan
- 1 Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Soy sauce
- 1/4 Cup. Mirin
- 1/4 Cup Sesame oil
- 3 Cloves Garlic Minced
- 1/4 Cup Sugar
- 1 Tbsp. Crushed red pepper
- 1 Tbsp. Fresh ginger grated
- 1 Tbsp. White sesame seeds
Instructions
- Roast sesame seeds in pot over medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Once the sesame seeds are browned and releasing aromas, remove from heat.
- Combine all ingredients except the sesame seeds into a sauce pan and stir to combine.
- Heat over medium heat and bring to a simmer stirring constantly. Reduce heat once the sauce comes to a boil, and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes continuing to stir frequently.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool for at least 20 minutes. This allows all the flavors to meld together making for a more complex sauce.
- After sauce has cooled and rested, strain into a mixing bowl, mix in the sesame seeds and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Is yakiniku sauce gluten-free?
Most yakiniku sauces are not gluten-free as they contain soy sauce. However, you can make it gluten-free by using a gluten-free soy sauce in your recipe. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Where is yakiniku sauce used?
Yakiniku sauce is most widely used as a dipping sauce for Japanese style grilled meats (yakiniku). However, it can be used as a seasoning or condiment in many other dishes as well.
Final Thoughts on Yakiniku Sauce
Yakiniku sauce is a quick sauce to make that my whole family loves. While most often used as a dipping sauce for yakiniku beef, I also think it goes well with chicken or pork. However you use it, we hope this recipe is helpful in spicing up whatever you make. Happy cooking!
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