Japanese Ponzu Sauce: An Authentic Grilling Companion

Since it’s finally grilling season, I wanted to share this wonderful marinade. This is perfect as a dipping sauce and/or basting sauce for most any meat, seafood, gyoza/dumpling or vegetable. However, I think it really shines on anything grilled.

Traditionally from Japan, it is made with the yazu fruit, which has a distinctive citrus flavor. As yazu are not easy to find here and the the prepackaged juice can be quite expensive, I wanted to find a recipe to recreate that flavor.

You can certainly buy ready made ponzu sauce, but they are packed with salt and sugar. I vastly prefer the cleaner taste of homemade.

This a relatively small batch, but feel free to double or triple it. It stores well in the refrigerator for up to two or three weeks.

Ingredients:
4 Tbsp low sodium Soy Sauce
2 Tbsp Mirin
Juice of one Lemon
2 Tbsp Orange Juice
Juice of 1/2 Lime
1/2 cup Dashi, dried bonito flakes
2 inch grated Fresh Ginger Root
1 tsp Sugar, optional

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients into a lidded container and shake vigorously. Allow to rest overnight or up to 24 hours and then strain before using as a marinade or dipping sauce.

Brush on prior to grilling and during grilling. Brush a bit on before serving or use as a dipping sauce.

Note: If you want to add toasted sesame oil, then 1 tsp is perfect. Additionally, the dashi flakes can be found at most Asian markets or can be ordered online.

Authentic Japanese Ponzu Sauce: A Flavorful Grilling Companion

Since its finally grilling season, I wanted to share this wonderful marinade. This is perfect as a dipping sauce and/or basting sauce for most any meat, seafood, gyoza/dumpling or vegetable. However, I think it really shines on anything grilled.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Japanese

Ingredients
  

  • 4 Tbsp low sodium Soy Sauce
  • 2 Tbsp Mirin
  • Juice of one Lemon
  • 2 Tbsp Orange Juice
  • Juice of 1/2 Lime
  • 1/2 cup Dashi dried bonito flakes
  • 2 inch grated Fresh Ginger Root
  • 1 tsp Sugar optional

Equipment

  • Bowl

Method
 

  1. Mix all ingredients into a lidded container and shake vigorously. Allow to rest overnight or up to 24 hours and then strain before using as a marinade or dipping sauce.
  2. Brush on prior to grilling and during grilling. Brush a bit on before serving or use as a dipping sauce.
Note: If you want to add toasted sesame oil, then 1 tsp is perfect. Additionally, the dashi flakes can be found at most Asian markets or can be ordered online.

    Notes

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