The Flavorful BBQ Sauce That'll Change How You Marinate Meat Forever

While most summer barbecues and cookouts are decked with perfectly rich and smoky BBQ sauces inspired by or hailing from the South, there might be another region of the world worth looking to for inspiration. Japanese food is among some of the most loved across the world. While most may think of Japan as the home of perfectly prepared matcha or sushi, it is also home to one of the most flavorful barbecue sauces enjoyed around the world. Yakiniku is the sauce to keep on your radar if you want your barbecue meat to reach new levels of tasty.

There are several traditional sauces in Japan, but Yakiniku is most likely to impress at the next barbecue with deep and complex flavors. Yakiniku means "grilled meat" in Japanese and is a traditional way to enjoy a shared barbecue meal with the help of sesame seeds, sesame oil, garlic, mirin, sugar, and some soy sauce (add soy sauce scrambled eggs as your next Japanese-inspired dish and thank us later). Sometimes other ingredients are added to the sauce, such as honey for added sweetness, ginger for bolder umami notes, and spice and sake for a little extra zing. It is typically used as a marinade and dipping sauce for meats, seafood, and vegetables. Yakiniku is similar to barbecue sauces made and found in the United States in that they can be sweet and smoky with strong savory notes.

Yakiniku has a reputation for being a flavorful marinade and dipping sauce for a reason. To make the marinade according to your optimal consistency, feel free to add a splash of water to make it a little more runny or cornstarch to thicken the sauce. Since the flavor is so potent, there is no need to overdo it — a drizzle is usually enough. For a barbecue experience you won't forget, marinating your meat in Yakiniku sauce overnight is recommended. This allows the nutty and umami-rich flavors to truly seep. If you're pressed for time, a few hours can also work well.

To truly enjoy your Yakiniku sauce, you'll want to get your hands on some of the best cuts of meat. Some great meat cuts to consider for your next Japanese-inspired barbecue include Wagyu Ribeye, which is one of the most traditional cuts used. It is known for its tenderness because of the marbling, which gives it an extra buttery taste thanks to the low melting point. Another popular meat that pairs well with this sauce is Wagyu Sirloin, known to be an ideal meat that boasts a flavorful taste most dipping sauces complement. Other meats used with Yakiniku are pork chops and chicken thighs. For a truly authentic experience, add a side of Japanese pickles for a burst of flavor.