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8 Tasty Sauces For Poke Bowls

Are you a fan of poke bowls?

If so, you know that the right sauce can make all the difference.

Poke bowls are delicious and nutritious meals made with raw fish, vegetables, and other toppings.

But without the perfect sauce to tie it all together, your bowl can end up tasting bland or unappetizing.

That’s why I’ve compiled this list of eight tasty sauces for poke bowls – each one is sure to add an extra layer of flavor and texture to your meal!

From creamy mayonnaise-based sauces to spicy sesame oil-based ones, there’s something here for everyone.

So let’s get started!

Read Also: 15 Tasty Poke Bowl Toppings

What Are Poke Bowls?

Poke Bowl

Poke bowls are a popular Hawaiian dish that have recently become popular in the United States.

Poke (pronounced poh-keh) is a traditional Hawaiian dish made with raw fish, usually tuna or salmon, marinated in soy sauce and sesame oil.

The fish is then served over rice and topped with vegetables such as cucumber, avocado, seaweed salad, edamame beans, and pickled ginger.

Poke bowls can be customized to suit individual tastes by adding different toppings such as nuts or seeds for crunchiness; fruits like mango or pineapple for sweetness; sauces like sriracha mayo or spicy aioli for heat; and herbs like cilantro or scallions for freshness.

They make an excellent light meal that’s packed with flavor and nutrition.

8 Best Sauces For Poke Bowls

Poke bowls are a delicious and healthy meal, but they can be even better with the right sauce.

Here are eight of the best sauces to use for poke bowls, each offering a unique taste that will take your bowl to the next level:

1. Spicy Mayo

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise

How to Make It

  1. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and whisk until smooth.
  2. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.

Serving Tips

Spicy Mayo is the perfect accompaniment for poke bowls!

Drizzle it over your favorite poke bowl ingredients such as sushi grade tuna, salmon, avocado, edamame, cucumber, carrots and more.

You can also use it as a dipping sauce for tempura vegetables or fried shrimp.

For an extra zesty kick, add some sriracha or chili flakes to the mix!

2. Sweet Chili Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup gluten free soy sauce or tamari
  • 2 tablespoons sambal oelek (ground fresh chili paste)
  • 3 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
  • 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger root
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

How to Make Sweet Chili Sauce

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sambal oelek, honey, rice vinegar and ginger.
  2. Add the minced garlic and stir until combined.
  3. Let sit for at least 10 minutes before using so that the flavors can meld together.

Serving Tips

This sweet chili sauce is great on poke bowls as well as other dishes such as grilled fish or chicken. It can also be used as a dipping sauce for spring rolls or dumplings.

For an extra flavor boost, add some fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley when serving.

The sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks if stored in an airtight container.

3. Teriyaki Sauce

Ingredients

How to Make It

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, garlic powder and ground ginger until combined.
  2. Set aside.
  3. Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the teriyaki sauce mixture.
  4. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3 minutes or until thickened slightly.
  5. Remove from heat and let cool before using in your poke bowl.

Serving Tips

The teriyaki sauce can be used as an ingredient in your poke bowl or as a topping for it.

If you’re using it as an ingredient, mix it into the base of your poke bowl before adding all of the other ingredients on top (such as rice, veggies, fish).

If you’re using it as a topping, drizzle some over the top of your finished poke bowl just before serving.

4. Ponzu Sauce

  • Ingredients: Ponzu sauce is a Japanese condiment made with soy sauce, dried bonito flakes, lemon juice, dried kelp, and sugar.
  • How to Make Ponzu Sauce: To make ponzu sauce, mix 1/2 cup of soy sauce with 1/4 cup of lemon juice in a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of sugar and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Then add 1 teaspoon of dried bonito flakes and 1 teaspoon of dried kelp. Stir all ingredients together until combined.
  • Serving Tips: Ponzu sauce is perfect for adding an extra flavor boost to poke bowls or other dishes that feature raw fish or vegetables. It can also be used as a dipping sauce for tempura or gyoza dumplings. For a lighter version, use less soy sauce and more lemon juice when making the ponzu sauce. To give it an extra kick, add some grated ginger or garlic before serving.

5. Homemade Eel Sauce (Unagi Sauce)

Homemade Eel Sauce (Unagi Sauce)

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Japanese sweet wine (mirin)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar

How To Make It

  1. In a small saucepan, combine the mirin, soy sauce and sugar.
  2. Heat over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.
  3. Simmer for about 5 minutes or until the mixture is thickened and syrupy.
  4. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature before using.

Serving Tips

This eel sauce can be used as a marinade for grilled fish or chicken, as a dipping sauce for tempura vegetables, or as an accompaniment to poke bowls.

You can also use it as a glaze for broiled salmon or other seafood dishes.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

6. Sesame Soy Sauce

Sesame Soy Sauce
  • Ingredients You’ll Need: To make sesame soy sauce, you will need 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame oil, 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds, 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • To Make It: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce and sesame oil until combined. Add in the toasted sesame seeds and stir until evenly distributed. Finally add in the red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper. Stir everything together until fully incorporated.
  • Serving Tips: Sesame soy sauce is best served cold or at room temperature as a condiment for poke bowls or other dishes such as steamed vegetables or seafood. It can also be used as a marinade or dipping sauce for fried foods like tempura shrimp or egg rolls. For an extra kick, try adding some freshly grated ginger to your mix!

7. Wasabi Aioli

  • Ingredients You’ll Need: To make wasabi aioli, you will need 1 tablespoon of wasabi powder, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 clove of minced garlic, and 1/2 cup of mayonnaise.
  • To Make It: Start by combining the wasabi powder with 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes to let the flavor develop. In another bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and garlic until blended. Add in the mayonnaise and mix until smooth. Then add in the wasabi mixture and stir until everything is well combined.
  • Serving Tips: This wasabi aioli can be served as a dip or topping for poke bowls or other dishes like fish tacos or grilled vegetables. It also makes an excellent condiment for burgers or sandwiches! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Enjoy!

8. Sriracha Mayo

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons Sriracha chili sauce
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic

How To Make It

  1. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, Sriracha chili sauce, lemon juice, and garlic.
  2. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
  3. Taste and adjust flavors as desired.

The resulting sauce should have a balance between sweet and spicy with a hint of acidity from the lemon juice.

Serving Tips

This sriracha mayo is perfect for adding to poke bowls or served as a dipping sauce for chips or vegetables.

For best results, make sure to use freshly squeezed lemon juice as it will give the most flavor to your dish.

If you want an extra kick of heat, add more Sriracha chili sauce according to your taste preference!

Conclusion

In conclusion, poke bowls are a delicious and healthy meal option that can be enjoyed any time of the day.

To take your poke bowl to the next level, it is important to choose the right sauce.

The best sauces for poke bowls are spicy mayo, sweet chili sauce, teriyaki sauce, ponzu sauce, homemade eel sauce (unagi sauce), sesame soy sauce, wasabi aioli, and sriracha mayo.

Each of these sauces provides a unique flavor and texture that can be used to enhance the overall flavor of your bowl.

By experimenting with different sauces, you can create delicious and flavorful poke bowls that will keep you coming back for more!

Sauces

8 Best Sauces For Poke Bowls

When you pick the right sauce for poke bowls, it can take your meal from good to great! In this article, I'm sharing my 8 favorite sauces to use for poke bowls. I'll give you a brief overview of each one, including tips on how to make the most flavorful sauce. I'll also provide suggestions on how to combine different sauces to create the perfect flavor combination.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Sauce
Cuisine American, Asian
Servings 4 people
Calories 251 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Spicy Mayo
  • Sweet Chili Sauce
  • Teriyaki Sauce
  • Ponzu Sauce
  • Homemade Eel Sauce (Unagi Sauce)
  • Sesame Soy Sauce
  • Wasabi Aioli
  • Sriracha Mayo

Instructions
 

  • Select your favorite recipe.
  • Organize all the required ingredients.
  • Prep a sauce recipe in 20 minutes or less!
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Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.