Eel Sauce On Keto: What You Need To Know

Eel sauce is a sweet and salty condiment that is commonly drizzled over sushi, grilled fish, or chicken. Despite its name, it does not contain eel and is typically made with a combination of soy sauce, sugar, and mirin, a type of Japanese cooking wine. The sauce is thickened by cooking it down, resulting in a sticky glaze. It is a popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine and can be used as a marinade, dipping sauce, or to add flavour to stir-fries and other dishes. With its versatility and unique flavour, eel sauce is an intriguing topic for exploration, especially for those following a keto diet.

Sugar-free alternatives to eel sauce

Eel sauce, also known as unagi sauce, is a sweet, sticky, and thick condiment used in Japanese recipes. It is typically made with soy sauce, sugar, and mirin (a Japanese sweet wine). For those on a keto diet or looking for sugar-free alternatives, here are some substitutes you can consider:

Teriyaki Sauce

Teriyaki sauce is a popular choice as it shares a similar salty-sweet profile with eel sauce. It is made with soy sauce, cooking sherry or sake, brown sugar or honey, and spices like garlic and ginger. To make it even more similar to eel sauce, add a teaspoon of star anise for an extra depth of flavour.

Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin sauce is another popular substitute due to its sweet and tangy flavour profile. It is made from fermented soybeans, chilli peppers, garlic, and Chinese five-spice powder. It has a thick, reddish-brown colour similar to eel sauce. You can adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding a pinch of salt or sugar.

Oyster Sauce

Oyster sauce has a sweet and salty flavour with an umami kick. It is made from oyster extracts, salt, sugar, and water, resulting in a thick texture resembling maple syrup. It can be used as a condiment, marinade, or stir-fry sauce. Just be sure to check the labels for any fish or shellfish allergens.

Fish Sauce

Fish sauce is a condiment commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisines, especially Thai and Vietnamese. It has a salty and mildly sweet flavour with a slight fishy smell. While it doesn't have a strong eel flavour, it can be used as a substitute for eel sauce due to its complex taste and deep colour. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.

Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is the most widely available substitute for eel sauce. It has a subtle sweetness and salty aroma, making it a good match for the flavour profile of eel sauce. It can be used as a marinade, dipping sauce, or finishing sauce. While it may not be as sweet or thick as eel sauce, it still provides a similar umami flavour.

When using these substitutes, feel free to experiment with different proportions and add spices or herbs to enhance the flavour and create a unique sauce that meets your taste preferences.

How to thicken eel sauce

Eel sauce, also known as unagi sauce, is a sweet, salty, and sticky sauce commonly used in Japanese cuisine, especially with grilled eels or unagi. While the sauce typically thickens as it cools down, there are several ways to ensure a thicker consistency.

Simmering and Reducing

The key to achieving the desired thickness for eel sauce is to let it simmer and reduce over time. This involves cooking the sauce on low to medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure even cooking. As the sauce simmers, the sugars will caramelize and reduce, resulting in a thicker consistency. It is important to monitor the heat to prevent the sugar from caramelizing too much and turning into candy.

Cornstarch

If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch to the mixture. It is crucial to whisk the cornstarch thoroughly into the sauce to avoid any lumps. This method will help achieve a more viscous consistency without altering the flavour profile.

Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum is another effective thickening agent for eel sauce. However, it should be used sparingly as a small amount goes a long way. Adding a little xanthan gum can significantly increase the viscosity of the sauce.

Sugar

Adjusting the amount of sugar in the recipe can also impact the thickness of the sauce. Sugar caramelizes during cooking, contributing to the stickiness and thickness of the sauce. Therefore, adding a small amount of extra sugar while cooking can help achieve a thicker consistency.

Cooling

Allowing the eel sauce to cool completely is essential to achieving the desired thickness. As the sauce cools, it will continue to thicken and eventually reach a honey-like consistency. You can even place it in the refrigerator to expedite the cooling process and promote thickening.

What is eel sauce made of?

Eel sauce, also known as nitsume, kabayaki sauce, or unagi no tare in Japanese, is a sweet and salty sauce commonly used in Japanese cuisine. Despite its name, eel sauce does not contain any eels. It is typically made by combining and heating soy sauce, sugar, and mirin (Japanese rice wine). Some variations of the recipe include additional ingredients such as sake, cornstarch, or dashi (a Japanese stock) for a richer, more authentic flavour. The sauce is often used as a glaze for unagi (freshwater eel) or as a drizzle over sushi, grilled fish, or chicken. It has a thick, sticky consistency and a deep umami flavour.

Eel sauce is a versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. It can be utilised as a marinade, stir-fry sauce, dipping sauce, or even as a pizza sauce. The sauce is known for its sweet, salty, and slightly smoky taste, with some describing it as addictive. The combination of sugar and salt in the sauce also makes it a long-lasting condiment, and it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or frozen for later use.

The process of making eel sauce is straightforward. The ingredients are added to a small saucepan and heated over medium heat until they reach a low boil. The mixture is then reduced by about one-third, resulting in a thicker consistency. It is important to stir the mixture intermittently during this process. Once the desired consistency is achieved, the sauce is removed from the heat and allowed to cool before being used or stored.

While the traditional recipe for eel sauce includes sugar, some people have experimented with creating sugar-free versions to adhere to specific dietary preferences or restrictions, such as the ketogenic diet. These variations often involve substituting sugar with alternative sweeteners like erythritol or Swerve, and adding xanthan gum to achieve the desired thickness.

In summary, eel sauce is a popular condiment in Japanese cuisine, characterised by its sweet and salty flavour, thick consistency, and versatility in various dishes. Despite its name, it does not contain eels and is typically made with a combination of soy sauce, sugar, and mirin, with some variations including additional ingredients.

Is store-bought eel sauce expensive?

Eel sauce, also known as Unagi sauce, is available at a range of price points. For example, Amazon offers a range of eel sauce options, with prices varying based on the brand, quantity, and whether the product is on sale. Prices listed on Amazon for eel sauce range from $3.44 to $41.63.

Other online retailers, such as Walmart and Target, offer the Kikkoman brand of Unagi sauce, while MTC Kitchen sells an inexpensive authentic eel sauce brand. The Webstaurant Store also offers a cost-effective option by selling eel sauce in bulk—a 5-pound jug.

While store-bought eel sauce is convenient, it can be expensive due to import fees. As a result, some people opt to make their own eel sauce at home, which can be more affordable and allows for customization of the recipe to personal tastes.

What foods can you eat with eel sauce?

Eel sauce, also known as unagi sauce, is a sweet, sticky, and thick condiment used in many Japanese dishes. It is made from a combination of dark soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake. The sauce is traditionally used in Japanese cuisine for grilled eel dishes, but it can also be used in various other ways. Here are some ideas for foods that you can eat with eel sauce:

Grilled Dishes

Traditionally, eel sauce is used on grilled eel dishes, so this is a natural place to start. You can try brushing the sauce over grilled fish or chicken to add a sweet and salty flavour.

Sushi

Eel sauce is a common drizzle over sushi, especially eel rolls. It adds a sticky and sweet dimension to the dish.

Noodles

For a quick snack, you can drizzle eel sauce over freshly cooked noodles. This makes for a tasty and easy-to-prepare meal.

Appetizers

You can use eel sauce as a dip for appetizers. It will add an extra punch of flavour to snacks like armadillo eggs, chicken lollipops, or air fryer salmon bites.

Stir-Fries

Adding eel sauce to a stir-fry is a great way to incorporate it into your meal. Stir it through at the end of the cooking process to give your dish a savoury-sweet kick.

Pizza

If you're feeling adventurous, swap out your regular pizza sauce for eel sauce. It will give your pizza a unique flavour that your taste buds will thank you for!

Marinade

Eel sauce can also be used as a marinade for proteins like chicken breast, pork chops, or any other meat of your choice. The high heat of cooking methods like air frying will help the sauce caramelize, adding extra flavour to your dish.

So, there you have it! Eel sauce is a versatile condiment that can be used in many different dishes to add a sweet and salty kick. Why not give it a try and see how it enhances your meals?

Frequently asked questions