Japanese Steak Sauce (Steakhouse Bronco Billy Copycat Recipe)

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What is Japanese Steak Sauce?

In Japanese cuisine, the term “Japanese steak sauce (和風ステーキソース)” typically refers to a soy sauce-based sauce that is often seen in steakhouses in Japan.

This designation isn’t restricted to a single, definitive sauce but encompasses a variety of steak sauces embodying the essence of Japanese flavors.

These soy sauce-based concoctions are commonly infused with ginger, adding a distinctive layer of aromatic and flavorful taste.

Japanese steakhouse style steak sauce in a steel gravy boat next to a iron plate with slices of rare beef steak, fries and vegetables top down view

How I Developed This Recipe

Ever since I was a kid, Bronco Billy (a steakhouse chain in central Japan) has been a favorite of mine. When I was younger, the steak was a rare and luxurious treat, and I always looked forward to my few visits.

My fondness for Bronco Billy hasn’t faded; it’s only grown stronger over time. That’s why I used Bronco’s sauce as my inspiration for creating a Japanese steak sauce recipe.

I went Bronco Billy’s multiple times, observing and savoring their sauce. After trying a lot of different things in my kitchen, I finally made a Japanese steak sauce that I’m happy with. I hope you’ll try it and enjoy it as much as I do.

Ingredients & Substitution Ideas

Ingredients to make Japanese style steak sauce on a white background

Fruits and Vegetables for Blending: I blended apples, carrots, ginger, and garlic to create a flavorful combination with a good balance of sweetness and aromatics.
Soy Sauce: To learn more about selecting the right soy sauce for Japanese dishes, I’ve put together a handy soy sauce guide.
Mirin: Hon Mirin (本みりん) offers the best flavor. Check out my post on the 20 Most Useful Condiments and Seasonings for Japanese Cooking for more of my favorite picks.
Rice Vinegar: I usually use rice vinegar, but if you need an alternative, apple cider or white vinegar work just as well.
Sake: It adds a unique Japanese touch with a hint of umami and subtle bitterness, but feel free to skip it or swap it with white wine or dry sherry. Curious about sake? Take a look at my Sake 101 article for more insights.
Red Wine: Red wine is a must for this Japanese steak sauce. I recommend Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Pinot Noir for the best flavor. Just one more note: there is no need to use expensive wines in this recipe!
Honey: It adds a distinctive sweetness and texture to the steak sauce.

Japanese steakhouse style steak sauce in a steel gravy boat with slices of rare beef in the background

Visual Walkthrough & Tips

Here are my step-by-step instructions for how to make Japanese-style Steak Sauce at home. For ingredient quantities and simplified instructions, scroll down for the Printable Recipe Card below.

STEP

Saute the Onion

I always start by sautéing the onions until slightly browned and softened.

Although this step can be skipped, in my experience, it is crucial to mellow out the pungent taste of raw onions, enhancing the sauce’s overall flavor.

STEP

Blend the Ingredients

fried onion, apple, carrot, ginger and Japanese condiments in a glass blender

Blending the ingredients is far more effective than grating them individually.

I think this because grating tends to make the ginger lumpy, which can affect both the taste and texture. I tried to make this both ways, but the results were completely different.

So, I recommend blending them to achieve a smooth and uniform mixture. Alternatively, you can move onto the next step and use an immersion blender if you have one.

STEP

Heat the Blended Mix

Japanese style steak sauce heating in a sauce pan on the stove

After blending, transfer the mixture to a saucepan.

simmered Japanese steak sauce in a sauce pan

Heat it until it’s almost boiling, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for around 3 minutes.

STEP

Serve

Japanese steak sauce in a steel gravy boat

Transfer to a pouring jug and enjoy with your favorite steak!

This sauce can be served hot, warm or chilled, depending on preference. Enjoy!

slices of rare steak drizzled with Japanese style steak sauce served on a black hotplate with fries, broccoli and corn next to a steel gravy boat filled with steak sauce

How to Store

It’s crucial to store this homemade steak sauce correctly to maintain its freshness and flavor, so I always make sure to either refrigerate or freeze it, never leaving it at room temperature.

When I pop it in the fridge, I use a sealable Tupperware or jar, which keeps it fresh for up to 4 days.

If I decide to freeze it, I go for a Ziploc bag, which keeps it good for about a month.

However, from my point of view, this recipe is so simple and delicious that it’s best to make just enough for your meal. That way, you get to enjoy it at its peak flavor every time!

Storage summary

Room temperature – Not recommended.

Refrigerated – 4 days.

Frozen – Up to a month.

FAQ

What does Japanese steak sauce taste like?

Japanese steak sauce has a beautifully balanced flavor of soy sauce and ginger and a subtle fruity sweetness. Since they usually contain many ingredients and condiments, the taste is rich and complex, making it a fine accompaniment for simply seasoned steak.

What is Japanese steak sauce made of?

Japanese steak sauces vary depending on the restaurant or brand, but most are soy sauce-based and contain onion and ginger to complement and help soften the flavor of the meat. Many contain honey, fruit juices, or real fruit pulp for sweetness and texture, but the range of ingredients used to make Japanese steak sauce is too wide to give a single answer.

I hope you enjoy this Japanese Steak Sauce recipe! If you try it out, I’d really appreciate it if you could spare a moment to let me know what you thought by giving a review and star rating in the comments below. It’s also helpful to share any adjustments you made to the recipe with our other readers. Thank you!