Easy Eel Sauce (Unagi Sauce) Deliciously Rushed (2024)

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This eel sauce is a lusciously sweet and savory condiment with a glossy finish. This Japanese delicacy boasts a rich umami flavor, combining soy sauce, mirin, and sugar to create a perfect balance of sweetness and depth. Its versatile and distinctive taste makes it an irresistible drizzle and delightful complement to various dishes, adding an extra layer of complexity and indulgence.

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Easy Eel Sauce (Unagi Sauce) Deliciously Rushed (1)

What is Eel Sauce?

Eel sauce, often referred to as sushi sauce, is a sweet and savory condiment commonly used in Japanese cuisine, particularly with sushi and grilled eel dishes. Made from a blend of soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sometimes sake, this flavorful sauce adds a deliciously rich and tangy taste to dishes, enhancing their flavor profile with its unique combination of ingredients. Its thick and syrupy consistency makes it perfect for drizzling over sushi rolls or grilled eel, adding a delightful finishing touch to these dishes.

Is eel sauce actually eel?

No, eel sauce does not typically contain actual eel. Eel sauce, also known as unagi or kabayaki sauce, is a sweet and savory glaze commonly used in Japanese cuisine, particularly for drizzling over grilled or broiled eel dishes like unagi sushi. The sauce is made from a combination of soy sauce, mirin (sweet rice wine), sugar, and sometimes sake. The name "eel sauce" likely comes from its traditional use in eel dishes rather than from eel being an actual ingredient in the sauce. It's a flavorful condiment that adds a delicious sweet and salty component to various dishes.

Eel Sauce Ingredients:

  • Soy Sauce: Soy sauce brings a rich, savory depth to our Unagi Eel Sauce, adding a wonderful umami flavor that's simply irresistible. I
  • Mirin: Sweet, tangy, and oh-so-delicious—mirin is like a secret weapon in the world of Japanese cooking! With its subtle sweetness and delicate flavor, mirin adds a lovely depth to our Unagi Eel Sauce, balancing out the richness of the soy sauce and sake with its gentle touch.
  • Sake: Cheers to sake—the unsung hero of Japanese cuisine! Sake adds a subtle complexity to our Unagi Eel Sauce, infusing it with a hint of floral sweetness and a delicate aroma that's simply delightful.
  • Sugar: The magical ingredient that brings it all together! With its caramelized richness and subtle sweetness, sugar adds a lovely balance to our Unagi Eel Sauce, enhancing the flavors of the soy sauce, mirin, and sake with its delightful sweetness.

How to Make Eel Sauce

  1. Combine ¼ cup of soy sauce, ¼ cup of mirin, 2 tablespoons of sake, and 3 tablespoons of sugar in a saucepan.
  2. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat and let it cool before serving.

FAQ

Is eel sauce gluten-free?

Traditional eel sauce contains soy sauce, which often contains wheat. However, you can easily make a gluten-free version by using tamari (gluten-free soy sauce) or ensuring that the soy sauce used is labeled gluten-free.

Can eel sauce go bad?

Yes, like many condiments, homemade eel sauce can go bad if not stored properly. It should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator and used within 1-2 weeks to ensure freshness and prevent spoilage.

Can I freeze eel sauce for later use?

While technically possible, freezing eel sauce may alter its texture and flavor upon thawing, so it's generally not recommended. It's best to store eel sauce in the refrigerator and use it within a couple of weeks for optimal taste and quality.

Can I adjust the sweetness or saltiness of the eel sauce?

Yes, you can easily adjust the sweetness or saltiness of eel sauce to suit your taste preferences by adding more sugar for sweetness or soy sauce for saltiness. Just remember to taste as you go to achieve the desired balance of flavors.

Are eel sauce and hoisin sauce the same?

No, eel sauce and hoisin sauce are not the same. While both are sweet and savory condiments commonly used in Asian cuisine, eel sauce is typically made with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, whereas hoisin sauce contains soybean paste, garlic, vinegar, and various spices, resulting in different flavor profiles.

Are eel sauce and oyster sauce the same?

No, eel sauce and oyster sauce are not the same. Eel sauce is a sweet and savory condiment made with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, while oyster sauce is a thick, savory sauce made from oyster extracts, soy sauce, sugar, and sometimes other ingredients like cornstarch or MSG, providing distinct flavors and textures.

Elevate your chicken karaage and crab and salmon sushi bake to new heights of flavor by drizzling them with the irresistible sweet and savory goodness of homemade eel sauce!

Easy Eel Sauce (Unagi Sauce) Deliciously Rushed (2)

Easy Eel Sauce (Unagi Sauce) Recipe

Easy Eel Sauce (Unagi Sauce) Deliciously Rushed (3)Rose Sioson

This eel sauce is a lusciously sweet and savory condiment with a glossy finish. This Japanese delicacy boasts a rich umami flavor, combining soy sauce, mirin, and sugar to create a perfect balance of sweetness and depth. Its versatile and distinctive taste makes it an irresistible drizzle and delightful complement to various dishes, adding an extra layer of complexity and indulgence.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 3 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine Asian

Servings 6

Calories 242 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 small pot

Ingredients

  • ¼ soy sauce
  • ¼ mirin
  • 2 tablespoon sake
  • 3 tablespoon white sugar

Instructions

  • Combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar in a saucepan.

  • Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.

  • Remove from heat and let it cool before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 242kcalCarbohydrates: 53.8gProtein: 0.4gSodium: 268mgPotassium: 18mgSugar: 51.1gCalcium: 3mg

Keyword eel sauce, sushi sauce, unagi sauce

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Nutrition Facts

Easy Eel Sauce (Unagi Sauce) Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

242

% Daily Value*

Sodium

268

mg

12

%

Potassium

18

mg

1

%

Carbohydrates

53.8

g

18

%

Sugar

51.1

g

57

%

Protein

0.4

g

1

%

Calcium

3

mg

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Easy Eel Sauce (Unagi Sauce) Deliciously Rushed (2024)
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