Japanese *tare* sauces epitomize the sweet-savory-umami balancing act the country’s cuisine does so well.

Tare Sauce Recipe: 3 Ways to Use Tare Sauce in the Kitchen

*Tare* is a multipurpose glaze and dipping sauce consisting of [soy sauce](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/soy-sauce-explained), sake, brown sugar, and sweet mirin (Japanese rice wine). Like all great kitchen condiments, individual recipes for *tare* vary, but they can be easily adjusted to suit the dish at hand. Add [miso](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-miso-paste) or *shio koji* for a sweet boost of umami or *[togarashi](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/shichimi-togarashi-recipe)* (or preferred spice powder) for heat. If you don’t have *tare* in your pantry, teriyaki sauce makes a great substitute.
While *tare* can refer to a basic combination of [mirin](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-japanese-sweet-rice-wine), shōyu, [sake](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sake-guide), and sugar, it may also include sauces like *ponzu* (citrus and soy sauce), *goma* (sesame and soy sauce dressing), and *kuromitsu*, a thick, molasses-style sugar syrup. Here are a few ways to incorporate *tare* into a menu:

1. __As a condiment__. Along with simple salt (*shio*) and white pepper, *tare* is most commonly known as a glaze for *[yakitori](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/yakitori-guide)*, Japanese-style grilled chicken skewers. *Tare* is also used as a dipping sauce for various side dishes and appetizers, like pan-fried [*gyoza* dumplings](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gyoza-recipe) or hot pot (*nabemono*). 
2. __As a soup seasoning__. When added to water or stock, *tare* can serve as a flavorful base for soups like [ramen](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ramen-recipe) or [miso](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/authentic-japanese-miso-soup-recipe). 
3. __As a marinade__. *Yakiniku* is an all-purpose *tare* sauce used as a marinade or condiment when grilling meats. Store-bought *tare* is an easy and popular BBQ marinade.
Japanese *tare* sauces epitomize the sweet-savory-umami balancing act the country’s cuisine does so well.

Tare is a multipurpose glaze and dipping sauce consisting of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/soy-sauce-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/soy-sauce-explained","linkCopy":"soy sauce","category":null}'>soy sauce</a>, sake, brown sugar, and sweet mirin (Japanese rice wine). Like all great kitchen condiments, individual recipes for tare vary, but they can be easily adjusted to suit the dish at hand. Add <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-miso-paste' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-miso-paste","linkCopy":"miso","category":null}'>miso</a> or shio koji for a sweet boost of umami or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/shichimi-togarashi-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/shichimi-togarashi-recipe","linkCopy":"togarashi","category":null}'>togarashi</a> (or preferred spice powder) for heat. If you don’t have tare in your pantry, teriyaki sauce makes a great substitute.

What Is Tare Sauce?

While tare can refer to a basic combination of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-japanese-sweet-rice-wine' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-japanese-sweet-rice-wine","linkCopy":"mirin","category":null}'>mirin</a>, shōyu, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sake-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sake-guide","linkCopy":"sake","category":null}'>sake</a>, and sugar, it may also include sauces like ponzu (citrus and soy sauce), goma (sesame and soy sauce dressing), and kuromitsu, a thick, molasses-style sugar syrup. Here are a few ways to incorporate tare into a menu:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. As a condiment. Along with simple salt (shio) and white pepper, tare is most commonly known as a glaze for <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/yakitori-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/yakitori-guide","linkCopy":"yakitori","category":null}'>yakitori</a>, Japanese-style grilled chicken skewers. Tare is also used as a dipping sauce for various side dishes and appetizers, like pan-fried <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gyoza-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gyoza-recipe","linkCopy":"\u003cem class=\"mc-text--italic\"\u003egyoza\u003c/em\u003e dumplings","category":null}'>gyoza dumplings</a> or hot pot (nabemono). </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. As a soup seasoning. When added to water or stock, tare can serve as a flavorful base for soups like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ramen-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ramen-recipe","linkCopy":"ramen","category":null}'>ramen</a> or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/authentic-japanese-miso-soup-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/authentic-japanese-miso-soup-recipe","linkCopy":"miso","category":null}'>miso</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. As a marinade. Yakiniku is an all-purpose tare sauce used as a marinade or condiment when grilling meats. Store-bought tare is an easy and popular BBQ marinade. </li></ol>

3 Ways to Use Tare Sauce

Tare Sauce Recipe

Japanese tare sauces epitomize the sweet-savory-umami balancing act the country’s cuisine does so well.

Japanese tare sauces epitomize the sweet-savory-umami balancing act the country’s cuisine does so well.
