Ready to add some exciting new flavors to your BBQ repertoire? Today, I’m thrilled to share a unique BBQ sauce recipe that blends the best of Japanese cuisine with some creative twists. This versatile sauce is perfect for both chicken and pork, offering a delicious mix of sweet, salty, and umami flavors.

Ingredients:

• 5 tablespoons of Japanese BBQ sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon of fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
• A pinch of garlic salt
• A dash of black pepper (for chicken, not pork belly)

Marinating Chicken:

1. Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, mix milk and a bit of curry powder. This combination not only helps to tenderize the chicken but also reduces any unwanted odors.
2. Marinate the Chicken: Place your chicken pieces in the marinade and let them sit for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to infuse and the chicken to become more tender and moist.
3. Remove Excess Marinade: Before grilling, remove the chicken from the marinade and pat it dry. This step ensures that the BBQ sauce adheres better to the chicken.

BBQ Sauce Preparation:

1. Mix the Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the Japanese BBQ sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic salt, and black pepper (only for chicken).
2. Adjust to Taste: Feel free to tweak the amounts to suit your taste preferences. A little extra brown sugar for sweetness or an extra splash of soy sauce for a saltier kick can make all the difference.

Grilling Technique:

1. Set Up Your Grill: Use a 22-inch Weber kettle with a two-zone fire. This setup allows you to have one side of the grill with direct heat and the other side with indirect heat.
2. Cook the Chicken: Start by searing the chicken over direct heat to get those beautiful grill marks and then move it to the indirect heat side to cook through without burning.
3. Apply the BBQ Sauce: Brush the prepared BBQ sauce onto the chicken during the last few minutes of grilling. This helps the sauce caramelize without burning.
4. Pork Belly Preparation: If you’re short on time, don’t worry! This versatile sauce works wonders on pork belly too. Simply brush the sauce on and grill to perfection.

Pro Tips:

• Marinating Time: While the chicken benefits from the curry and milk marinade, the pork belly can be cooked directly with the sauce if you’re in a hurry.
• Two-Zone Fire: This method allows for better control over the cooking process, ensuring your meat is cooked evenly and remains juicy.

Why This Works: The combination of curry powder and milk in the chicken marinade not only tenderizes the meat but also imparts a subtle, delicious flavor that complements the BBQ sauce. The use of Japanese BBQ sauce as a base, enhanced with fish sauce and soy sauce, creates a harmonious blend of flavors that’s both unique and irresistible.

Get your grill fired up and try this recipe at your next BBQ. Whether it’s chicken or pork belly, this Japanese-inspired BBQ sauce will surely impress your family and friends. Happy grilling!

For more BBQ tips, recipes, and equipment reviews, stay tuned to BBQEquip.com.

Credit: This recipe was inspired by Dave Jang, who is a force to be reckoned with on the grill. You can follow him on facebook https://www.facebook.com/dh.jang1