Grilled Meat
Japanese BBQ sauce is fantastic on grilled beef, pork, lamb, and chicken. The sauce coats the meat and chars beautifully on the grill, providing plenty of sticky-sweet, salty, smoky flavor.
Steak
Brush strips of flank steak, skirt steak, or flat iron steak with the sauce before and during grilling. The umami-rich Japanese BBQ sauce enhances the beefy flavor.
Pork Chops
Plain pork chops come alive when grilled with Japanese BBQ sauce. The sweet soy flavor pairs amazingly well with the pork. Baste bone-in or boneless chops as they cook.
Chicken
Chicken thighs, drumsticks, wings, tenderloins all take well to yakitori sauce. Grill the chicken over medium heat, basting with sauce frequently to develop a nicely charred exterior.
Lamb
Lamb chops and kebabs marinated in Japanese BBQ sauce then grilled develop such intense, complex flavor. The sauce also works well with grilled lamb loin or leg of lamb.
Sausages
Bratwurst, Italian sausage, chorizo, and other sausages sizzled on the grill gain great flavor from a coating of yakitori sauce. Brush on the sauce in the last few minutes of grilling.
Seafood
The sweet soy flavor of Japanese BBQ sauce pairs beautifully with grilled shrimp, scallops, fish, and calamari.
Shrimp
Skewered shrimp basted with the sauce as they grill develop amazing caramelized flavor. The sauce also pairs well with grilled shrimp tacos.
Scallops
Sea scallops grilled until nicely browned develop a lovely glaze when frequently basted with yakitori sauce.
Firm Fish
Salmon, halibut, cod, tuna, and swordfish hold up well on the grill. Baste frequently with Japanese BBQ sauce for irresistible flavor.
Calamari
Grilled calamari or squid coated in the sweet-salty Japanese sauce makes a delicious appetizer or main course.
Vegetables
In addition to protein, Japanese BBQ sauce adds flavor complexity to grilled veggies like:
- Asparagus
- Zucchini
- Eggplant
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Bell peppers
- Corn on the cob
- Cherry tomatoes
Brush cut veggies with oil first, then coat with the sauce before and during grilling. The sauce caramelizes nicely on the vegetable’s surface.
Kabobs and Skewers
Combine meat, seafood, and/or veggies onto skewers or kabobs and coat with Japanese BBQ sauce for well-rounded flavor. Great ingredient combos include:
- Beef and bell peppers
- Shrimp and zucchini
- Chicken and pineapple
- Lamb and eggplant
- Scallops and cherry tomatoes
Rice Bowls
Drizzle Japanese BBQ sauce over rice bowl ingredients for delicious flavor:
- Grilled chicken or shrimp over rice
- Kimchi fried rice
- Bibimbap with meat and veggies
The sweet-salty sauce acts as the ideal topping for rice bowls. Add sesame seeds and sliced green onions for extra flavor and crunch.
Sandwiches and Burgers
Use Japanese BBQ sauce as a condiment for burgers, chicken sandwiches, grilled veggie sandwiches, and more. The sauce adds flavor complexity and acts as the perfect sweet and salty sandwich spread.
Salads
Whisk a bit of oil into the Japanese BBQ sauce to make an excellent salad dressing. Toss the sauce with mixed greens, grilled chicken or shrimp, veggies, noodles, and other salad ingredients.
FAQs
How is Japanese BBQ sauce different from other Asian sauces?
Japanese BBQ sauce has a sweeter, less spicy flavor compared to Korean gochujang or Chinese char siu sauce. It also relies on soy sauce for saltiness rather than fish sauce like Vietnamese nuoc cham.
What are the key ingredients in Japanese BBQ sauce?
The main ingredients are soy sauce, mirin (sweet rice wine), sake or rice wine, sugar, and spices like garlic, ginger, and sesame.
Is Japanese BBQ sauce the same as teriyaki sauce?
While similar, teriyaki sauce tends to be thicker and sweeter than yakitori or Japanese BBQ sauce. Teriyaki also often contains cornstarch as a thickener.
Can you use Japanese BBQ sauce as a marinade?
Absolutely! The sauce makes an excellent marinade for proteins like chicken, beef, and pork. Let the meat marinate for 30 min to overnight before grilling.
What’s the best way to use Japanese BBQ sauce on vegetables?
Quickly blanch or microwave vegetables first to soften them a bit. Then coat with oil and brush with sauce before grilling to add maximum flavor.
Conclusion
With its addictive sweet-salty-umami flavor, Japanese BBQ sauce takes proteins and veggies to the next level when grilling. Brush on the sauce while cooking everything from steak to shrimp to zucchini. Use it as a condiment or salad dressing. Or simply drizzle over rice for an easy weeknight meal. Experiment with this versatile sauce to add sticky-sweet flavor to all kinds of dishes.