This Japanese-style barbecue sauce is the perfect marinade for grilling.

Yakiniku Sauce Recipe: How to Make Japanese Grilling Sauce

The word *yakiniku* means “grilled meat” in Japanese. The most popular kind of *yakiniku* in Japan consists of thin slices of beef grilled over coals or an electric grill, then dipped in *yakiniku* [sauce](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/japanese-sauce-guide). *Yakiniku* is commonly made on a tabletop grill in *yakiniku* restaurants or served as part of a *[donburi](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/donburi-rice-bowls-guide)* (rice bowl).
*Yakiniku* sauce is a [*tare*](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tare-sauce-recipe) (glaze/dipping sauce) commonly served as a condiment or marinade for *yakiniku*, or Japanese grilled meat. Like all great kitchen condiments, individual recipes for *tare* vary, but they can be easily adjusted to suit the dish at hand. Add miso 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. The most popular *tare* to serve with *yakiniku* is made with *shoyu* (soy sauce), [mirin](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-japanese-sweet-rice-wine), garlic, and sesame seeds. 

This Japanese-style barbecue sauce is the perfect marinade for grilling.

The word yakiniku means “grilled meat” in Japanese. The most popular kind of yakiniku in Japan consists of thin slices of beef grilled over coals or an electric grill, then dipped in yakiniku <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/japanese-sauce-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/japanese-sauce-guide","linkCopy":"sauce","category":null}'>sauce</a>. Yakiniku is commonly made on a tabletop grill in yakiniku restaurants or served as part of a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/donburi-rice-bowls-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/donburi-rice-bowls-guide","linkCopy":"donburi","category":null}'>donburi</a> (rice bowl).

What Is Yakiniku?

Yakiniku sauce is a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tare-sauce-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/tare-sauce-recipe","linkCopy":"\u003cem class=\"mc-text--italic\"\u003etare\u003c/em\u003e","category":null}'>tare</a> (glaze/dipping sauce) commonly served as a condiment or marinade for yakiniku, or Japanese grilled meat. Like all great kitchen condiments, individual recipes for tare vary, but they can be easily adjusted to suit the dish at hand. Add miso 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":"\u003cem class=\"mc-text--italic\"\u003etogarashi\u003c/em\u003e","category":null}'>togarashi</a> (or preferred spice powder) for heat. The most popular tare to serve with yakiniku is made with shoyu (soy sauce), <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>, garlic, and sesame seeds.

What Is Yakiniku Sauce?

Japanese Yakiniku Sauce Recipe

This Japanese-style barbecue sauce is the perfect marinade for grilling.