If you have ever wondered how Japanese steakhouses make that irresistible ginger dipping sauce served alongside steak, shrimp and vegetables, this ginger sauce recipe is exactly what you’re looking for. It is so delicious!
Made with fresh ingredients, this easy Benihana copycat delivers the same tangy, savory flavor you get at your favorite hibachi restaurant. Best of all, there’s no cooking required! Just blend the ingredients together and let the flavors meld. Unlike thick stir-fry sauces, this ginger sauce has a thinner, pourable consistency that’s perfect for dipping, drizzling and marinating.
I have been making homemade restaurant copycat recipes for years, and this is one of the easiest ways to recreate that authentic hibachi experience at home. Serve it with steak, chicken, shrimp, fried rice, vegetables or any Japanese-inspired meal!
Why This Recipe Works
After testing this recipe countless times over the years, I’ve discovered that the combination of fresh ginger, onion, soy sauce, lemon juice and vinegar creates the absolute perfect balance of savory and zingy flavors. It’s shockingly similar to the Japanese ginger sauce served at Benihana and other hibachi steakhouses.
Here are a few reasons I love this recipe:
- Ready in minutes with no cooking required.
- Made with only 5 simple ingredients!
- Tastes like authentic hibachi ginger dipping sauce.
- Delicious with steak, chicken, shrimp, salmon, vegetables and fried rice. Really, anything!
- Doubles as a marinade, salad dressing or rice bowl sauce.
- Easy to make ahead for meal prep and weeknight dinners.
- Perfect for recreating a restaurant-style hibachi dinner at home.
Once you make a batch, you’ll find yourself grabbing it out of the fridge whenever a meal needs a quick boost of flavor.
Recipe Ingredients
Fresh ginger root ā Fresh ginger delivers the bold, zippy flavor that makes this ginger sauce recipe so irresistible. While ground ginger can be used in a pinch, fresh ginger is highly recommended for authentic hibachi-style flavor.
White vinegar ā Adds the tangy bite that balances the soy sauce and onion. Rice vinegar or rice wine vinegar can be substituted for a slightly milder flavor.
Soy sauce ā Provides the savory, umami-rich base for the sauce. Use low-sodium soy sauce if you prefer a less salty ginger dipping sauce. For a gluten-free version, substitute gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos.
Fresh lemon juice ā Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the entire sauce and balances the savory ingredients. For even more fresh citrus flavor, add 1 teaspoon lemon zest.
Yellow onion ā Onion gives Japanese ginger sauce its signature flavor and texture. For a slightly milder onion flavor, replace part of the yellow onion with green onions.
What Is Hibachi Ginger Sauce?
Hibachi ginger sauce is a tangy Japanese-style dipping sauce commonly served at restaurants such as Benihana and other hibachi steakhouses. Unlike creamy yum yum sauce, ginger sauce is made with fresh ginger, onion, soy sauce and vinegar, creating a savory, tangy flavor that’s hard to stop eating.
It is traditionally served with hibachi steak, chicken, shrimp, vegetables and fried rice, but it also works great as a marinade, salad dressing or sauce for rice bowls.
Since restaurant recipes are rarely shared publicly, I tested different ingredient combinations until I landed on a version that captures the flavor I love from my favorite hibachi restaurants. It has the perfect balance of savory and tangy flavors, and I find myself drizzling it over just about everything!
How To Make Ginger Sauce
Making homemade hibachi ginger sauce literally could not be any easier!
- Combine the ingredients.
Add the onion, fresh ginger, soy sauce, vinegar and lemon juice to a food processor or blender.
- Process until combined.
Process until the ingredients are finely chopped and well combined. The sauce should remain slightly chunky rather than completely smooth.
- Chill the sauce.
Transfer to a bowl or airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve. For the best flavor, let it chill for at least 1 hour before serving so the flavors have time to meld together. - Serve and enjoy.
Drizzle over steak, chicken, shrimp, salmon, vegetables or fried rice, or use it as a dipping sauce for your favorite hibachi-inspired meals. Enjoy!
Tip: If you prefer a smoother sauce, process for an additional 30 to 60 seconds.
Recipe Notes
- This ginger sauce can be enjoyed immediately, but the flavor gets even better after a few hours in the refrigerator. For best results, make it a day ahead.
- This recipe great make-ahead sauce for meal prep, cookouts and weeknight dinners.
- If you don’t have a food processor, finely grate the onion and ginger by hand and stir the ingredients together.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
- This recipe is naturally dairy-free and can easily be made gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos.
Variations
- Add 1 to 2 minced garlic cloves for extra flavor.
- For a spicy ginger sauce, add a pinch of red pepper flakes, a dash of cayenne pepper or a few drops of hot sauce.
- Add 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar for a touch of sweetness.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon sesame oil for a richer, nuttier flavor.
Storage Instructions
Store ginger sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir well before serving.
To freeze, pour the sauce into an ice cube tray. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe storage bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
What To Serve With Ginger Sauce
Proteins
Sides
- Fried rice
- Roasted vegetables
- Sweet potatoes
- Quinoa
Appetizers
- Egg rolls
- Potstickers
- Wontons
FAQ
Hibachi ginger sauce is a tangy Japanese-style dipping sauce commonly served at Benihana and other hibachi steakhouses. It is typically made with fresh ginger, onion, soy sauce, vinegar and lemon juice, creating a savory flavor with just the right amount of zing.
No. Ginger sauce and yum yum sauce are two completely different sauces commonly served at hibachi restaurants. Ginger sauce is made with ginger, onion and soy sauce and has a savory, tangy flavor. Yum yum sauce is mayonnaise-based, creamy and slightly sweet.
Fresh ginger is highly recommended because it provides the bold flavor that makes this sauce so delicious. Ground ginger can be substituted in a pinch, but the flavor will be less vibrant and the finished sauce won’t taste quite as authentic.
Store ginger sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Give it a quick stir before serving, as some separation is normal.
Absolutely. In fact, I recommend it. The flavor becomes even better after a few hours in the refrigerator, and it’s especially delicious the next day after the ingredients have had time to meld together.
Traditional soy sauce contains wheat, so this recipe is not gluten-free as written. To make it gluten-free, substitute gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos.
The combination of fresh ginger, onion, soy sauce and vinegar creates a bold flavor that’s savory, tangy and extremely versatile. Many hibachi restaurants also prepare their ginger sauce fresh daily, which gives it a fresher flavor than bottled versions.
Benihana prepares its ginger sauce fresh in its restaurants. Making it at home is the easiest way to enjoy that classic hibachi flavor whenever you want it.
More Homemade Sauce Recipes You’ll Love
I have a slight obsession with homemade sauces. They take just a few minutes to make, but they can completely transform a meal. If you enjoyed this ginger sauce recipe, here are a few more flavorful sauce recipes to keep in your refrigerator and use throughout the week.
- Homemade Enchilada Sauce is rich, flavorful and ready in just 15 minutes using simple pantry ingredients.
- This creamy Alfredo Sauce comes together in less than 10 minutes and tastes so much better than jarred sauce.
- Make your own Arby’s Sauce at home with this easy copycat recipe. It’s tangy, smoky and perfect for sandwiches.
- This homemade Pizza Sauce takes less than 25 minutes to make and adds fresh flavor to homemade pizza night.
- Asian Chili Paste is packed with bold flavor and perfect for stir fries, marinades and dipping sauces.
- Homemade Taco Sauce is easy to make and gives tacos, burritos and taco salads a fresh, flavorful boost.
- Instant Pot Tomato Sauce is made with fresh tomatoes and requires no peeling or seeding. Perfect for pasta, pizza and more.
Ginger sauce is a Japanese-style hibachi dipping sauce made with fresh ginger, onion, soy sauce, vinegar and lemon juice. It is commonly served with steak, chicken, shrimp, vegetables and fried rice at hibachi restaurants such as Benihana.
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Ginger Sauce Recipe (Benihana Copycat)
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.
Video
Notes
- For the best flavor, refrigerate the sauce for at least 1 hour before serving. The flavor becomes even better after sitting overnight.
- Fresh ginger is highly recommended and provides a much bolder flavor than ground ginger.
- For a smoother sauce, process for an additional 30 to 60 seconds.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir before serving.
- Freeze in ice cube trays for convenient single-serving portions.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos.
Nutrition
Megan Porta is a comfort food recipe creator who specializes in easy family meals and Instant Pot desserts, and the founder of Pip and Ebby. She has been cooking for three decades and developing recipes for over fifteen years, helping home cooks make reliable, cozy recipes for real life.
Perfect balance of flavors. I’m in LOVE with this recipe!
Fantastic recipe! So good !
This is a good base for sure. I added a tsp or 2 of maple syrup and I had some white miso paste and added about 2 tsps. Perfect. Maybe will add a little more miso after it sits but perfect.
Thank you Kathy, for sharing those tweaks. Sounds great!
I used rice wine vinegar and did add garlic, a splash of toasted sesame oil and then some brown sugar to tone down the saltiness. Then I added in about a tsp of toasted sesame seeds. Delicious base recipeā¦I may make it in bulk and try freezing it for future use. Thanks!
I like those recommendations – thanks Starry, definitely worth trying a recipe in more than one way!
This recipe is spot on!!!!! So good. It is exactly what I wanted for out Chicken fried rice. Thanks for this recipe. A keeper for sure and so easy!!!
Love that feedback, Kristin. I’m so glad it was enjoyed. Thank you for sharing!
Seems like 1/2 cup of white vinegar is to much for my taste buds. Wow.. may 2 Tsp
Great! You can easily tweak that and enjoy it too. That’s what I love about cooking. Finding your individual tastes to make things.
Great! I think you should try a couple of teaspoons. We all have different preferences but that’s the beauty of cooking – I share what I tested and liked and then you can tweak it for your preferences. Enjoy!
Spot on! Great base sauce. I donāt understand how people can complain about it. Simple and real easy to adjust for preference. Well done.
I’m glad you enjoyed it too. I love having this on hand. Thanks for sharing!
Iāve been wanting this sauce for a loong time and never thought Iād find the exact recipe. Until Google sent me here and Iām so glad it did! Your instructions are very clear and the flavor is the same I remember and loved. Iāve been using it as a dressing for my salad and even on fried rice and beef. Thank you!! Iāll keep this recipe forever!
Yay! That’s great to hear. Glad you enjoyed it.
Very delicious, Megan! I used a large onion, so a quarter cup of lemon juice is the perfect amount. Otherwise, the onion would overpower the sauce. Your ingredients are spot on. I wish people wouldnāt give low ratings just because they donāt know how to adjust amounts to their liking.
Thank you for your feedback Kim. I think its helpful to others to hear what worked! I enjoy this recipe to and find it easy to adjust to my preferences. Thank you for sharing!
Awesome! I make this regularly. Definitely recommend letting it sit in the fridge at least overnight – 2 nights if possible!
Yes, the flavors marinate so well if you can wait that long! Thank you for sharing!
Wonderful! Absolutely Wonderful,
I didn’t enjoy this sauce. I felt something was missing and it had too much lemon.
That’s an easy fix to reduce the amount of lemon but I’m sorry you didn’t love it like I did! Thanks for trying it.
Try it straight from Behinana: https://youtu.be/ILkcRDO3IAo
Do all other ingredients then soy sauce. Taste, then slowly add lemon zest, if more needed add juice. Lemons can be unpredictable, make sure they’re fresh. Smaller can be bitter. Try large meyer lemons for milder flavor.
I didn’t enjoy this sauce. I left something was missing and it had too much lemon.
Delicious! Thank you for sharing. I reduced the lemon juice and it is YUMMY!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! It really is a personal preference and I’m glad you found the sauce the way you enjoyed it – cooking is so personal. Thank you for sharing your tweak to it!
This recipe is just about perfect! I made it yesterday and both the wife and I agree it’s a little too much lemon. Could have been too small of an onion but I feel like the lemon overpowers just a bit. But this is pretty damn close. Thanks for the recipe!
That’s an easy tweak to change – glad you gave it a shot and hopefully make again with the perfect lemon amount! Thanks for sharing!
DELICIOUS! My fav sauce!
It’s so fun to be able to have it any time you want! Thanks for sharing.
Ingredients seem the same but measuremnets are clearly a complete guess!
I enjoyed this recipe but the beauty of cooking at home is making it the way you’d like it. Let me know what combination you come up with that works for you! Enjoy!
The recipe is on their website now. Everything is the same except they add lemon zest also
This looks great! How long does it last?
It is so delicious! Store it in the fridge for no longer than 2 weeks or so. Enjoy!
Megan
If you want it to taste good, DON’T use white vinegar. Use RICE wine vinegar. That’s what all hibachi joints use in theirs.
Thank you for the tip.
Wow… this is great. I am sure it is a very good dressing or dipping sauce for a steamed chicken. Of course, it will be really nice for steamed fish too. š
This would be GREAT with chicken or fish! Yum!!
Megan