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The 6 Best Sauces for Spam Musubi

Spam musubi is a popular Hawaiian snack that combines the salty flavor of Spam with the sweetness of sushi rice.

The combination of flavors makes it an irresistible treat, and there are many different ways to enjoy it.

But what really makes spam musubi stand out is its sauces!

From spicy mayo to teriyaki glaze, these sauces can transform your spam musubi into something truly special.

If you’re looking for some inspiration on which sauces to use for your next spam musubi creation, look no further!

Here are 6 of the best sauces for spam musubi.

What is Spam Musubi?

Spam Musubi

Spam Musubi is a popular snack in Hawaii that consists of grilled Spam, sushi rice, and nori (seaweed).

It is often served as an appetizer or side dish at Hawaiian-style parties.

The traditional version of the dish involves pressing a block of sushi rice into a rectangular mold, topping it with a slice of grilled Spam, and wrapping it all up in nori.

However, there are many variations on this classic recipe.

Some people like to add teriyaki sauce or furikake seasoning to their musubi for extra flavor.

Others prefer to use different types of meat such as chicken or beef instead of Spam.

No matter how you make it, Spam Musubi is sure to be a hit!

Why Serve A Sauce with Spam Musubi?

Serving a sauce with Spam Musubi is an essential part of the dish.

The combination of salty, savory spam and sticky rice can be quite dry on its own, so adding a flavorful sauce helps to bring out the best in this classic Hawaiian snack.

Here are three reasons why you should serve a sauce with your Spam Musubi:

  • To add flavor – A good sauce will enhance the flavors of both the spam and rice, creating a more complex and interesting taste experience. Sauces like teriyaki or soy-based sauces work well as they complement the saltiness of the spam while also providing sweetness that pairs nicely with the sticky texture of the rice.
  • To add moisture – As mentioned before, Spam Musubi can be quite dry without any additional moisture added to it. Adding a sauce helps to keep everything moist and prevents it from becoming too hard or crunchy when served cold or at room temperature.
  • To make it easier to eat – Finally, having a sauce makes eating Spam Musubi much easier since it provides something for you to dip each piece into before taking a bite. This way you don’t have to worry about pieces falling apart as you try to pick them up!

The 6 Best Sauces for Spam Musubi

Spam Musubi is a popular snack in Hawaii and Japan.

The key to making it just right is the sauce.

If you want to create the perfect Spam Musubi, here are six sauces that will give your dish an extra oomph of flavor:

1. Teriyaki Sauce

Teriyaki sauce is a sweet and savory Japanese condiment made from soy sauce, mirin (a type of rice wine), sake, sugar, and ginger.

It has a thick consistency and can be used as both a marinade and glaze for meats or vegetables.

  • To Make It: To make teriyaki sauce at home, combine equal parts soy sauce and mirin in a small pot over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar per cup of liquid mixture to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to low and simmer until it reduces by half. Once reduced, add 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger per cup of liquid mixture to the pot. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes before removing from heat and allowing it to cool completely before using or storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
  • Common Uses: Teriyaki sauce is commonly used as a marinade for meats such as chicken, beef, pork, fish or tofu before cooking them on the grill or stovetop. It can also be used as a glaze while cooking meat dishes like teriyaki chicken or beef stir-fry dishes. Additionally, it can be added directly onto cooked foods like noodles or rice bowls for extra flavor.

2. Spicy Mayo

Spicy mayo is a condiment made from mayonnaise, chili sauce, and other seasonings.

It has a creamy texture and a spicy kick that adds flavor to many dishes.

  • To Make It: To make spicy mayo, combine 1/2 cup of mayonnaise with 2 tablespoons of chili sauce (such as Sriracha or Sambal Oelek), 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a bowl. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning if desired.
  • Common Uses: Spicy mayo can be used as a dip for fried foods such as french fries or chicken tenders, or it can be used as an ingredient in sandwiches and wraps. It’s also commonly used to top sushi rolls like Spam Musubi or California Rolls.

3. Ponzu Sauce

Ponzu is a Japanese citrus-based sauce made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin (sweet cooking sake), and katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes).

It has a tart flavor with hints of sweetness and umami.

  • To Make It: To make ponzu, combine equal parts soy sauce and rice vinegar in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of mirin for every 2 tablespoons of the soy-vinegar mixture. Finally, add 1 teaspoon of katsuobushi for every 2 tablespoons of the soy-vinegar mixture. Stir until all ingredients are combined and let sit for at least 10 minutes before serving.
  • Common Uses: Ponzu is commonly used as a dipping sauce or marinade for meats such as beef or chicken, but it can also be used to season vegetables or fish dishes. It’s also often served alongside Spam Musubi, which is an iconic Hawaiian dish consisting of grilled spam on top of sushi rice wrapped in nori seaweed.

4. Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is a condiment made from fermented soybeans, wheat, salt, and water.

It has been used in Asian cuisine for centuries and is now widely available around the world.

The flavor of soy sauce can range from light to dark depending on the type of fermentation process used.

  • To Make: Traditional Japanese-style soy sauce is made by fermenting boiled soybeans with roasted wheat and salt over several months. The resulting liquid is then filtered and bottled as a finished product. Other varieties are made using different ingredients or processes, such as adding preservatives or artificial coloring agents to speed up production time.
  • Common Uses: Soy sauce is most commonly used as a dipping sauce for sushi, sashimi, tempura, and other Japanese dishes. It can also be added to marinades for meats or vegetables before grilling or stir-frying them. Additionally, it’s often used as an ingredient in sauces for noodles like ramen or udon noodles; soups like miso soup; stews like oden; and many other dishes throughout Asia.

5. Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin sauce is a thick, dark-colored condiment made from fermented soybeans, garlic, chilies, and various spices.

It has a sweet and savory flavor with hints of smokiness.

The name hoisin comes from the Chinese words for ‘seafood‘ (海鮮) and ‘sauce’ (沙茶).

  • To Make It: To make hoisin sauce at home, you’ll need to combine soybean paste or miso paste with sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic powder, five-spice powder (a blend of star anise, cloves, cinnamon bark pieces), chili flakes or fresh chili peppers. All ingredients are mixed together until smooth and then simmered over low heat for about 10 minutes.
  • Common Uses: Hoisin sauce is commonly used as a dipping sauce for dumplings or egg rolls in Chinese cuisine. It can also be used as a marinade for meats such as pork or chicken before grilling or roasting them. Additionally it can be added to stir-fries to give them extra flavor and sweetness. Finally it’s often served alongside Spam Musubi in Hawaiian cuisine as well as other dishes that feature Spam.

6. Homemade Spam Musubi Sauce

Homemade Spam Musubi Sauce is a condiment made from dark brown sugar, shoyu (soy sauce), mirin, and sesame oil.

It is commonly used as a dipping sauce for Spam Musubi, a popular Hawaiian snack consisting of grilled spam on top of sushi rice and wrapped in nori seaweed.

  • To Make It: To make the sauce, combine 1/4 cup dark brown sugar with 1/4 cup shoyu (soy sauce) and 2 tablespoons mirin in a small bowl. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes or until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Let cool before serving.
  • Common Uses: The homemade Spam Musubi Sauce can be used as both a dipping sauce for Spam Musubi or as an ingredient in other dishes such as stir-fries or marinades. It can also be used to add flavor to soups, stews, sauces, dressings, glazes, etc., making it an incredibly versatile condiment that can be used in many different ways!

Conclusion

In conclusion, Spam musubi is a delicious and unique snack that can be made with a variety of sauces and condiments.

The best sauces for Spam musubi are teriyaki sauce, spicy mayo, ponzu, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and a homemade Spam musubi sauce. Each of these sauces have a unique flavor and can be used to add a new twist to your Spam musubi.

Whether you’re looking for a sweet and savory flavor or a spicy kick, there is a sauce for every taste.

So, the next time you’re making Spam musubi, experiment with different sauces and find the perfect combination for you.

Sauces

The 6 Best Sauces for Spam Musubi

Who doesn't love spam musubi? I know I do, but sometimes it can get a little boring if you don't have the right sauce to add some flavor. That's why I'm sharing my top 6 sauces for spam musubi that will take your dish to the next level. From sweet hoisin to spicy sriracha, I'll explain the best way to use each sauce and how to combine them together for the perfect musubi.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Dipping Sauce, Sauce
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4 people
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Teriyaki Sauce
  • Spicy Mayo
  • Ponzu Sauce
  • Soy Sauce
  • Hoisin Sauce
  • Homemade Spam Musubi Sauce

Instructions
 

  • Select your favorite recipe.
  • Organize all the required ingredients.
  • Prep a sauce recipe in 30 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.