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A jar of dark soy sauce sits on a white plate, with a spoon lifting some sauce above the jar. In the background are sesame seeds and sliced green onions on a wooden surface.
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Eel Sauce (Unagi Sauce)

Three simple ingredients create this glossy, restaurant-quality eel sauce that's perfect for sushi, grilled meats, and so much more. Better than store-bought!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Asian
Servings: 12 servings
Author: Marissa Stevens

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup soy sauce
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2/3 cup mirin

Instructions

  • Combine soy sauce, mirin, and sugar In a small saucepan and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves completely. (Do not let mixture boil before the sugar dissolves, as this can cause crystallization.)
  • Bring the mixture to boil once the sugar has dissolved; reduce the heat to low (gentle simmer). Let simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens and reduces by about half. (It should coat the back of a spoon.)
  • Remove saucepan from heat and let sauce cool completely; it will continue to thicken as it cools. Once cooled, transfer to a clean, airtight glass jar or squeeze bottle to store in the refrigerator.

Notes

  1. Don't rush the simmering process by using high heat. This can cause the sugar to burn and the sauce to become bitter. A gentle simmer is ideal.
  2. The sauce will appear thinner while hot. To test consistency, you can put a small drop on a cold plate and let it cool for a moment to see its true thickness. Remember, it thickens considerably upon cooling. If you over-reduce it, it might become too thick when cold.
  3. If your sauce becomes too thick after cooling, you can gently reheat it with a tablespoon or two of water or mirin until it reaches your desired consistency.
  4. If it's not thick enough after cooling, return it to the saucepan and simmer for a few more minutes.
  5. Properly stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container, this sauce can last for several weeks.

Nutrition

Calories: 70kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.05g | Saturated Fat: 0.002g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 820mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 14g | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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