The 5 Best Sauces for Hibachi Grilled Meats

Hibachi grilling is a traditional Japanese cooking style where a flat iron griddle is heated to high temperatures and used to cook meats, seafood, and vegetables.

The key to a great hibachi meal is not just the quality of the ingredients, but also the sauces that are used to enhance the flavors.

In this article, I will be sharing my top five favorite sauces for hibachi grilled meats.

From the classic teriyaki sauce to the lesser-known spicy mustard sauce, I’ll be sharing the recipes and pairing suggestions for each sauce to help you elevate your hibachi cooking game.

The 5 Best Sauces for Hibachi Grilled Meats

1. Teriyaki Sauce

Teriyaki sauce is a classic Japanese sauce that is often used in hibachi cuisine.

It is made with soy sauce, sugar, sake (or mirin), and ginger, and it is known for its savory and sweet flavor.

The sauce is usually brushed onto meats and vegetables during the grilling process and also as a dipping sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup sake (or mirin)
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 1 clove of minced garlic (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the soy sauce, sugar, sake (or mirin), ginger, and garlic (if using).
2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
3. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes, or until it thickens slightly.
4. Remove from heat and let it cool.

Teriyaki sauce pairs well with meats such as chicken, beef, and fish, and also vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms.

You can brush the sauce onto the meats and vegetables during the grilling process or serve it as a dipping sauce.

To make it more flavorful you can also add a touch of honey or fruit juice like pineapple or orange.

It’s also important to note that teriyaki sauce can also be used as a marinade before grilling, this will give a deeper flavor to the meats and vegetables.

Marinate the meats or vegetables in teriyaki sauce for at least 30 minutes before grilling.

2. Yum Yum Sauce

Yum Yum sauce, also known as “white sauce” or “hibachi sauce,” is a creamy, slightly sweet sauce that is commonly served with hibachi-style meals.

It is made with mayonnaise, tomato paste, butter, sugar, and a blend of spices such as paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.

The sauce is usually served as a dipping sauce for meats and vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the mayonnaise, tomato paste, butter, sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until the butter is melted and the sauce is smooth and well combined.
3. Remove from heat and let it cool.

Yum Yum sauce pairs well with meats such as chicken, steak, and shrimp, and also vegetables such as broccoli, zucchini, and carrots.

This sauce can be served as a dipping sauce or poured over the meats and vegetables.

The sauce also works great as a salad dressing, adding a creamy and slightly sweet taste to the greens.

It’s also worth noting that the recipe can be adjusted to your preference, for example if you prefer a sweeter sauce you can add more sugar, or for those who like a bit of heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Experiment with the ingredients to find the perfect balance of flavors for your taste buds.

3. Garlic Butter Sauce

A rich and buttery sauce that can take your hibachi meal to the next level.

Garlic butter sauce is made with butter, minced garlic, and a blend of herbs and spices.

It is the perfect dipping sauce for seafood, steak, and vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon of dried parsley or 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• a pinch of black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic, parsley, salt and pepper.
3. Stir everything together and let it cook for a couple of minutes or until the garlic becomes fragrant.
4. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

The Garlic butter sauce is very versatile, it can be used as a dipping sauce, a basting sauce or even as a topping sauce.

The buttery and garlicky flavor makes it perfect to pair with meats such as steak, chicken, and shrimp, and also vegetables such as asparagus, mushrooms, and bell peppers.

For added flavor, you can add some lemon juice or a dash of white wine before removing from heat.

You can also add some grated Parmesan cheese for a richer and creamier flavor.

4. Ginger Sauce

A flavorful and refreshing sauce that’s perfect for hibachi dishes.

Ginger sauce is made with fresh ginger, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar.

It’s a perfect balance of sweet and tangy and it’s a great dip for seafood and vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup grated fresh ginger
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, mix together the grated ginger, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
3. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water together to make a slurry.
4. Slowly pour the slurry into the saucepan while stirring constantly.
5. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens.
6. Remove from heat and let it cool.

Ginger sauce is perfect for seafood such as shrimp, scallops, and fish and also for vegetables such as broccoli, mushrooms, and bell peppers.

It can be used as a dipping sauce, a marinade or even as a dressing for salads.

For added flavor, you can add some sesame oil or chili flakes for a little heat.

You can also substitute honey for sugar to make it sweeter.

This sauce can also be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

5. Spicy Mustard Sauce

A bold and spicy sauce that adds a kick to your hibachi dishes.

Spicy mustard sauce is made with Dijon mustard, honey, soy sauce, and hot sauce.

It’s perfect for those who like a bit of heat in their meals.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (or more to taste)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, mix together the Dijon mustard, honey, soy sauce, and hot sauce.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
3. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water together to make a slurry.
4. Slowly pour the slurry into the saucepan while stirring constantly.
5. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens.
6. Remove from heat and let it cool.

This sauce is perfect for meats such as chicken, steak and shrimp, and also for vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms.

It’s a great dip or marinade and can also be used as a basting sauce.

The level of spiciness can be adjusted to your preference, you can use more or less hot sauce to make it milder or spicier.

You can also use other types of mustard, such as stone-ground or honey mustard.

This sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Conclusion

Hibachi grilling is a traditional Japanese cooking style that is known for its delicious and flavorful meats, seafood, and vegetables.

The key to a great hibachi meal is not just the quality of the ingredients, but also the sauces that are used to enhance the flavors.

In this article, I have shared my top five favorite sauces for hibachi grilled meats: Teriyaki Sauce, Yum Yum Sauce, Garlic Butter Sauce, Ginger Sauce, and Spicy Mustard Sauce.

Each sauce has its unique flavor profile and pairs well with different meats and vegetables.

1. Teriyaki sauce is savory and sweet, and pairs well with chicken, beef, and fish.
2. Yum Yum sauce is creamy and slightly sweet, and pairs well with chicken, steak, and shrimp.
3. Garlic Butter Sauce is rich and buttery, and pairs well with steak, chicken, and shrimp.
4. Ginger sauce is flavorful and refreshing and pairs well with seafood and vegetables.
5. Spicy Mustard Sauce is bold and spicy, and pairs well with chicken, steak, and shrimp.

I encourage you to experiment with different sauces and flavor combinations to find the perfect balance of flavors for your taste buds.

Try marinating your meats and vegetables in the sauces, or brushing them on during the grilling process.

You can also use the sauces as dips or dressings.

Remember to always adjust the ingredients to your preference, add more or less of any ingredient to make it milder or spicier.

In conclusion, sauces play an essential role in hibachi cuisine, they add a depth of flavor and make the meal more enjoyable.

I hope this article has helped you discover new sauces to try and new ways to elevate your hibachi grilling game.

Happy cooking!