Come in and have a taste of my Miso Garlic Sauce! With just four ingredients and a two-minute prep time, this sauce is a quick and easy way to add a burst of Japanese miso flavor to any dish. Whether you’re dipping, basting, or drizzling, this versatile sauce is sure to elevate your Japanese inspired creations!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
Let me tell you what makes this Miso Garlic Sauce so awesome! It’s not just any sauce—it’s a versatile flavor powerhouse that adds a punch of umami-packed miso and garlic goodness to any dish! Whether you’re dipping, basting, or drizzling, this sauce elevates your Japanese inspired meals with its handcrafted blend of flavors just like in my Spicy Miso Sauce!
Personally crafted in my kitchen and used as inspiration in my other recipes like Salmon with Miso Sauce and Miso Salad Dressing, this exclusive recipe is a must-try for anyone craving the bold flavors of Japanese cuisine! Plus, the flavors pairs perfectly with dishes like my Japanese Soy Sauce Pickled Garlic or Korean Pickled Garlic when I’m looking for a garlic centered meal, making it a staple in my kitchen! Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be reaching for this sauce every time you want to add a touch of Japanese flair to your meals!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Miso – awase brown Miso works best but can sub with white miso or red miso. Used as the base flavor of the sauce.
- Japanese Sake – typically will come in a large bottle labeled junmai sake. Can also substitute with dry sherry wine or Chinese cooking wine, found at local grocery stores or Asian markets. The sake adds umami notes to the sauce and helps with the consistency.
- Garlic – freshly grated garlic.
- Sweetener – use your preferred sweetener.
🥢 Miso Paste Note
You have three miso paste options: White Miso, which is mild and sweet; Red Miso, known for its robust and salty flavor; and Brown Miso, or Awase Miso, offering a balanced blend of salty, sweet, and umami. We recommend using Awase Miso for this sauce.
🍶 Mirin Note
While Mirin, can be used to make miso sauce, we’ve modified this recipe to accommodate areas where mirin might not be readily available by adjusting the amounts of sake and sweetener used instead.
Directions
Step 1 Start by boiling out Japanese sake in a skillet for 15-20 seconds.
🍶Boiling Sake Pro Tip
For a quicker alternative to boiling sake, you can simply Microwave for 30-45 Seconds.
Step 2 Combine boiled sake, sweetener, grated garlic, and miso paste. Mix until the miso paste is melted.
🌿 Garnishing Pro Tip
Enhance the presentation of the sauce with a sprinkle of Toasted Sesame Seeds as an extra garnish.
Recipe Variation
Looking to add a little more fire into the sauce? Try my Spicy Miso Sauce that will do just that packed with chili oil and red peppers!
Pairing Recommendations
The great thing about this miso sauce is it can be used in so many ways! For a flavorful vegetarian option, stir fry some eggplants and toss them in this sauce to create my Japanese Miso Eggplant Stir Fry. If you’re in the mood for seafood, grill up some lobster tails and brush them with a base of this sauce to prepare my Grilled Lobster Tails with Miso Mayo Garlic. Additionally, it serves as an excellent dipping sauce for my Chicken Shabu and Pork Shabu dishes, adding a delightful twist to your meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What dishes can I pair with the Miso Garlic Sauce?
This sauce complements a variety of dishes such as stir-fried vegetables, grilled protein like chicken or shrimp, and even as a dipping sauce for Japanese shabu shabu.
How spicy is the Miso Garlic Sauce?
This sauce is not inherently spicy, offering a savory and slightly sweet flavor profile. However, if you desire an extra kick, I recommend adding a squeeze of sriracha hot sauce to suit your taste preferences.
Can I use this sauce as a marinade?
Yes, you can use this sauce as a marinade. However, if using it as a marinade, I recommend adjusting the consistency by adding more water or Japanese sake to achieve the desired marinade consistency.
Storage Tips
To store leftovers, simply transfer them into an airtight container and place them in the fridge. When stored properly, the leftovers can last for 14-21 days.
Other Recipes You Might Like
- Japanese Sesame Dipping Sauce
- Miso Mayo Dipping Sauce
- Hibachi Ginger Sauce
- Ponzu Japanese Steak Sauce
Watch How To Make It
Miso Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Miso
- 1 Clove Garlic grated
- 1 1/2 tbsp Japanese Sake
- 1/2 tbsp Sweetener your preferred sweetener
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Add Japanese sake to a skillet and let it boil for 15-20 seconds.
- Combine boiled sake, sweetener, miso, and grated garlic in a mixing bowl.
If mirin is available, how much should be used? And how does that impact the sweetener needed?
Hey Kathy – if you have mirin, I would just replace the Japanese sake with 1:1 and omit the sweetener. Depending on the brand of mirin, you might have to add a touch of sweetener or water to balance out the flavors.