Quick and Easy Asian-Style Marinade & Sauce

Asian sauce recipe
Photo by Mgg Vitchakorn on Unsplash

Umami is a Japanese word meaning “pleasant savory taste,” and this simple sauce recipe is bursting with umami flavor. Sure to become your go-to for any Asian-style dishes, it’s simple and does double-duty as both a sauce and a marinade. It’s also versatile and sure to pair well with whatever ingredients you may have on hand. Perfect for noodles, tofu, vegetables, and more, it’s ready in under three minutes, and the best part is that it only has five ingredients!

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir until combined
  • If using as a marinade: add mixture to a ziplock bag with tofu or meat and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes
  • Remove meat or tofu and cook according to preference
  • If using as a sauce: add soy sauce mixture and tofu, meat, or vegetables to a pan over medium heat. Sautee for 5-7 minutes or until sauce has reduced and meat is cooked through. The sauce should be thick enough to stick to your ingredients. 
  • Serve over rice or rice noodles, sprinkle with chopped cilantro or red pepper flakes and enjoy!