Yakitori Sauce
This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here.
Savor the taste of summer with yakitori sauce, a classic Japanese condiment thatโs a must-have for your grilling adventures! This delicious sauce, with its perfect balance of sweetness, savoriness, and a touch of smokiness, elevates your grilled chicken skewers to a whole new level. Whether youโre hosting a backyard barbecue or enjoying a cozy night in, yakitori sauce brings that authentic flavor straight to your table. Donโt miss out on the chance to create unforgettable meals this season!

Have you ever tried Yakitori? If not, you’re in for a treat! This beloved Japanese street food features skewered and grilled chicken, beautifully glazed in a sweet and smoky sauce. Youโll often find it at izakayas, which are like pub-style restaurants in Japan, where it pairs perfectly with your favorite beverages. The reason for its popularity is simple: the meat is incredibly tender and bursting with flavor!
The magic of Yakitori lies in its sauce, which starts with a base of soy sauce and is elevated with sugar, cooking rice wine, and sake. The result is a glaze thatโs everything you could hope for when grilling meatsโsweet, smoky, savory, and just a touch tangy. Plus, the sauce has the perfect thickness and a shiny gloss that will have your taste buds dancing even before you take a bite.
Ready to bring these delectable Japanese flavors into your own kitchen? With just a few simple ingredients, you can make authentic Yakitori sauce that will impress your friends and family. Dip your skewers in this rich, flavorful glaze and prepare for compliments! Cooking Yakitori at home is easier than you think, and the results are nothing short of delicious.
Ingredients
For the ingredient measurements and the entire recipe, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the blog post where the recipe card is located.
- Sake: This unique ingredient not only infuses a complex flavor but also helps tenderize your favorite cuts.
- Dark soy sauce: Soy sauce serves as an incredible savory base for this sauce, bringing depth of flavor while also tenderizing meats to perfection.
- Mirin: Cooking rice wine adds a subtle sweetness that enhances the flavor of Yakitori sauce while giving it that beautiful glossy finish. Perfect for elevating your dishes!
- Sugar: Adds sweetness.
Step by Step Directions
For the full recipe instructions, scroll down to the bottom of the blog post to the recipe card.
- Add all the ingredients to a pot and simmer for about 10 minutes, until reduced by half.
- Let the sauce cool, then use it as a marinade for skewered chicken and other meats.
Tips For Success
- Yakitori sauce will keep indefinitely in the refrigerator.
- Brown sugar works just as well as white sugar, so use what you have on hand.
- You can use regular soy sauce if you can’t find dark soy sauce.
- You can also use a gluten-free soy sauce to make this sauce gluten-free.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Yakitori Sauce
Ingredients
- ยฝ cup sake
- 1 cup dark Japanese soy sauce
- ยผ cup mirin
- 3 tablespoons sugar
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer for about 10 minutes, until reduced by half.
- Let cool, then use a glaze for skewered chicken, beef, or vegetables.
- Yakitori sauce will keep indefinitely in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided is for convenience and as a courtesy only. It is not guaranteed to be accurate because nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator and input the exact ingredients and brands you used in the recipe.