Ginger Sauce Recipe - Benihana Copycat (2024)

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This Asian-inspired sauce is a replica of that famous ginger sauce recipe (a Benihana copycat!) you love so much. This no-cook recipe goes great with steak, veggies, rice or seafood dishes!

Ginger Sauce Recipe - Benihana Copycat (1)

Original post: March 2016 | Updated: April 2023

Why This Recipe Works

If you’ve ever eaten at Benihana restaurant or a similar hibachi grills, you have likely begun salivating when you dunk a succulent piece of steak into their famous hibachi ginger sauce.

Every time we go to Benihana, I end up dousing my steak, shrimp, veggies and rice with that stuff. That hibachi ginger flavor is just the best!

  • This is one of those easy recipes that is unbelievably delicious.
  • Benihana ginger sauce always pops into my head when I’m thinking up the perfect dressing for any salad or a topping for my next healthy dinner.
  • No need to pay a visit to a restaurant to get my hands on it. I can make it in my own kitchen easily!

Recipe Ingredients

Ginger Sauce Recipe - Benihana Copycat (2)

Ginger – When at all possible, start with fresh ginger root. Substitute ground ginger only if needed.

White vinegar – This can be replaced with another variety such as rice vinegar or rice wine vinegar, if needed.

Soy sauce – To make this a gluten-free sauce, use a GF variety of soy sauce or replace entirely with coconut aminos. For a less salty end result, use a low sodium soy sauce for the recipe.

Lemon juice – Use freshly squeezed lemons for best results. Add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest for added freshness.

Onion – Replace a portion of the yellow onion with green onions, if desired.

Where To Buy Hibachi Ginger Sauce

According to their site, Benihana Japanese steakhouse prides themselves in preparing the sauce they serve fresh and making it daily. But that’s why we decided to concoct a recipe ourselves and share it with you!

Since they don’t share their recipe, we took what we know to be some very flavorful ingredients and tested it until it was the perfect combination of flavors to mimic their sauce.

How To Make Ginger Sauce

Start with your food processor. It’s handy, easy to clean and it’s a tool I use often.

Toss in the onions and fresh ginger root, followed by 3/4 cup soy sauce and remaining ingredients. Transfer to a small bowl and stir, creating a chunky sauce that will be perfect as your condiment for many healthy recipes!

Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Recipe Notes

  • This sauce can be enjoyed immediately but will taste even better after a day of marinating!
  • If you don’t own a food processor, you can easily grate the onion and ginger by hand.
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Best when used within 5 days of preparing it.
  • Add a minced garlic clove or two for a flavor boost.
  • Spice up the recipe by adding red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce.
  • For a touch of sweetness, consider adding 1 tablespoon of brown sugar or honey.
  • A tablespoon of sesame oil or dark sesame oil adds a delicious flavor.
  • Can be served chilled or at room temperature.
  • Freeze sauce by pouring into an ice cube tray, then transfer cubes to a freezer storage bag.

Fresh Ginger vs Ground Ginger

When making this inspired sauce, when at all possible you want to use fresh ginger. Buying a small stalk of the root is very affordable and provides so much more pungency (in the best way) to the sauce.

Substitute ground ginger when needed, but ground ginger is more commonly used in baked goods or drinks.

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Can Ginger Be Frozen

Ginger can definitely be frozen. To freeze, first peel and grate it or cut thinly. Flash freeze in a single layer for 20 minutes, then transfer to an airtight container. Use within 6 months!

How To Tell If Ginger Is Bad

Ginger that is no longer fresh or safe to eat will be mushy to the touch, and may also have a sharp, unpleasant odor.

What To Do With Ginger Sauce

  • It is a great condiment or marinade for seafood, steak, beef tips, pork chops, chicken or any type of main dishes.
  • Use ginger dipping sauce to dip Asian appetizers into, such as egg rolls, wontons or potstickers (top with sesame seeds before serving!).
  • Perfect dipping sauce for this mouthwatering homemadeHibachi Steakrecipe!
  • Use as a salad dressing ingredients for any salad.
  • Enjoy it tossed in a stir fry meal or over pasta.
  • Use it as a topping on your next juicy burger.
  • Add to a side dish of quinoa or fried rice.
  • Consider using it as a dipping sauce for Air Fryer Broccoli, Meatballs, Steak Bites or Slow Cooker Veggies!
  • Any food you enjoy dipping in soy sauce will likely taste good with ginger sauce, too.

How Long Does Soy Sauce Last

How long does soy sauce last? If you have a bottle staring at you from inside your pantry or refrigerator and you don’t know whether to toss or use, you’ll want to read this post!

Best Homemade Sauces

I’m obsessed with making savory homemade sauces! Down with store bought! Here are a handful of my favorites that you are sure to fall in love with. These all make for great gifts, too.

  • Homemade Enchilada Sauce is more delicious than anything you can buy at the store and it is super easy to make. It only requires a handful of ingredients and is done in 15 minutes.
  • Alfredo Sauce is super easy to make, done in under 10 minutes.
  • A copycat recipe of the famous Arby’s Sauce that makes sandwiches sing! This zingy flavorful BBQ style sauce is so delicious.
  • This homemade Pizza Sauce takes less than 25 minutes to make!
  • Asian Chili Paste is great to have on hand for homemade Asian recipes. Healthy, super affordable and packed with flavor.
  • Make your own Taco Sauce to use in a variety of Mexican dishes, such as tacos, burritos and taco salads. Ditch the store-bought version so you know exactly what goes inside!
  • Instant Pot tomato sauce tastes super fresh, made with fresh tomatoes and with no peeling or seeding required! Use it as a topping on pasta!

18 Homemade Sauces to Use Now or Freeze for Later

Making homemade sauces is a great way to know exactly what ingredients are going into them, they are more affordable than store-bought and they’re just tastier!Homemade all the way!

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Ginger Sauce Recipe - Benihana Copycat (4)

Ginger Sauce Recipe – Benihana Copycat

This Asian-inspired sauce is a replica of that famous ginger sauce recipe (the Benihana copycat) you love so much!

4.73 from 40 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Sauce

Cuisine: Asian

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 minute minute

Servings: 12

Calories: 16kcal

Author: Megan Porta

Ingredients

  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh ginger grated
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 3/4 cup soy sauce

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Pulse/puree until a chunky consistency is achieved. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

    1 yellow onion, 2 tbsp fresh ginger, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 3/4 cup soy sauce

  • Serve with a salad, vegetables, steak, shrimp or pour over rice/grains.

Notes

  • This sauce can be enjoyed immediately but will taste even better after a day of marinating!
  • If you don’t own a food processor, you can easily grate the onion and ginger by hand.
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Best when used within 5 days of preparing it.
  • Add a minced garlic clove or two for a flavor boost.
  • Spice up the recipe by adding red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce.
  • For a touch of sweetness, consider adding 1 tablespoon of brown sugar or honey.
  • A tablespoon of sesame oil or dark sesame oil adds a delicious flavor.
  • Can be served chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Calories: 16kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 811mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!

Ginger Sauce Recipe - Benihana Copycat (2024)

FAQs

What sauce does Benihana use? ›

Each morning inside our Benihana restaurants, our teppanyaki chefs peel and grate fresh ginger and blend it with chopped onion, vinegar, lemon and soy sauce to create a distinct savory-citrus taste.

What is hibachi ginger sauce made of? ›

Simply combine all the ingredients in a blender: onion, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, dark soy sauce, and black pepper. Pulse until it is to your preferred consistency. And that's it!

What are the 2 sauces you get at hibachi? ›

Their unique flavors and creamy textures make them the perfect companions for grilled delights. Whether you're a fan of the zesty kick of ginger sauce or the creamy indulgence of Yum Yum Sauce, one thing is certain: these two sauces are an essential part of the hibachi experience, and they're here to stay.

How many calories are in ginger sauce? ›

Ginger sauce, Asian style (2 tablespoon) contains 10.3g total carbs, 10.1g net carbs, 0.1g fat, 0.6g protein, and 43 calories.

What makes Benihana special? ›

Here are some key features that distinguish Benihana from other dining establishments: Teppanyaki Cooking Style: The hallmark of Benihana is its teppanyaki-style cooking, where skilled chefs prepare meals on large, flat iron grills (teppan) located at the center of communal tables.

What are the three sauces at hibachi? ›

The most common sauces include ginger, sesame, miso, fruit and white sauce.

What do hibachi chefs squirt on rice? ›

What sauce do hibachi chefs use on rice? If you've been to a hibachi restaurant, you've no doubt seen the unlabeled plastic squirt bottles they use to season all the food. These bottles contain a variety of oils and a soy sauce or soy sauce blend that gives hibachi food its distinct flavor.

What is a replacement for Ginger Sauce? ›

Ground Cinnamon is a wonderful ginger substitute that adds sweetness to a dish. Use it ground to add spicy, woodsy flavor to both sweet and savory recipes. Ground Mace can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. It has a subtler flavor than nutmeg.

What sauce do hibachi chefs use? ›

No hibachi experience would be complete without the classic Teriyaki Sauce. With its savory and slightly sweet profile, this sauce enhances the natural flavors of grilled meats. Try making your own homemade version for an extra special touch.

What seasoning do they use for hibachi? ›

The seasonings at hibachi restaurants are actually pretty simple. Veggies, rice, meats, and seafood are all seasoned with salt and pepper. Almost every dish also gets a hefty hunk of butter and garlic, as well as a squirt of a soy sauce based sauce.

What is the brown sauce used in hibachi? ›

The traditional Japanese Hibachi Brown Sauce, also known as “Yum Yum Sauce” or “Hibachi Sauce,” is usually vegan-friendly. The primary ingredients in this sauce are soy sauce, mirin (a sweet rice wine), dashi stock (made from dried bonito fish flakes or kelp), garlic, ginger, and sometimes a touch of sugar.

How many calories are in Benihana ginger sauce? ›

There are 10 calories in 1 serving (1 oz) of Benihana Ginger Sauce (1 oz). * The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Does ginger sauce have sugar in it? ›

Ginger chili sauce is made from chili peppers, sugar, vinegar, ginger and some seasonings. It has a semi-thin viscosity and a golden color with red flecks from the chilies. The flavor is sweet and spicy. It is used as a dipping sauce and with meat, fish and vegetables.

What sauce do they use at Japanese restaurants? ›

Shoyu (soy sauce)

Shoyu is the most widely used condiment in Japanese cuisine and found in or added to a large number of dishes. The fermented soybean product adds depth to a dish when cooked together or when used as a dipping sauce like for sushi. There are different types of soy sauce, including light and dark ones.

What is Yum Yum sauce made from? ›

Yum Yum Sauce is made of mayonnaise, ketchup, vinegar, garlic, sugar, paprika and water to thin the sauce out. That's it! It's really just a matter of the right ratios of ingredients to get the flavor you want!

Is hibachi sauce the same as teriyaki sauce? ›

Teriyaki Style Dishes

The method of cooking Teriyaki food is the same as the method of cooking Hibachi food. The only difference is the sauce; Hibachi cuisine is cooked only with soy sauce, while Teriyaki cuisine is cooked with sweeter, more seasoned soy sauce.

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