I’ve visited Chicago twice now, and the city still never ceases to amaze me every time. One gem of a discovery is this wonderful Japanese restaurant called Benihana. Our time was grand, with all the chefs preparing our food right in front of us.
Teppanyaki is also something that I’ve tried in Japan, and while nothing beats being in the country itself, Benihana offers diners in the US a dining experience as close to the original as it could get. I’ve recently heard that our favorite Chicago branch has been sending lunches and care packages to doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel at a local hospital.
Imagine, having your business endure a pandemic (they’ve endured some losses, for sure), but still have a grand heart to help out? Kudos to the folks behind Benihana!
Introducing The Benihana Garlic Butter
The main reason for me to write this post stems from my unforgettable dining experience, and that single element I saw the chefs use a lot of back then: their infamous garlic butter. It is like a magic ingredient that elevates the taste of all the dishes. Or was it just me eagerly watching the preparations right on the grill and consuming everything freshly-cooked? Maybe both.
Benihana garlic butter is added to their meals, enhancing the taste. Food quality combined with a dining experience that is one of a kind – this is why the name of Benihana has skyrocketed and has made its presence felt across the States. The restaurant chain is relentless in their success, and has catered millions and millions of meals in the last 20 years.
Unveiling the Secret: Benihana Garlic Butter Recipe to Elevate Your Culinary Skills
Introduction:
Benihana, the renowned Japanese steakhouse, has captivated diners around the world with its captivating teppanyaki-style cooking and mouthwatering flavors. One of the standout elements of their cuisine is the delectable garlic butter that adds a rich, savory touch to their dishes. If you’ve ever wondered about the secret behind Benihana’s irresistible garlic butter, you’re in luck. In this article, we will unveil the recipe for Benihana garlic butter, allowing you to bring the magic of their flavors into your own kitchen.
Ingredients:
To recreate Benihana’s tantalizing garlic butter, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
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Soften the butter:
- Begin by allowing the unsalted butter to soften at room temperature until it is easily spreadable. This will make it easier to incorporate the other ingredients.
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Prepare the garlic:
- Peel and mince the cloves of garlic finely. The smaller the pieces, the more infused the flavor will be in the butter.
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Combine the ingredients:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly until well combined. You can use a fork or a hand mixer for this step.
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Shape the butter:
- Transfer the garlic butter mixture onto a sheet of parchment paper or plastic wrap.
- Roll it into a log shape, twisting the ends to secure it.
- Place the rolled garlic butter in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow it to firm up.
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Serve and enjoy:
- Once the garlic butter has chilled and solidified, it is ready to use.
- Slice off portions of the garlic butter log as needed for your recipes.
- Use the garlic butter to enhance the flavors of grilled meats, seafood, vegetables, or even as a spread on warm bread.
Optional: Garnish with chopped parsley for a touch of freshness and visual appeal.
How And Where Can You Best Use Benihana Garlic Butter?
The good news is that you can match anything, and transform any dish or side into a delightful savory treat with Benihana’s garlic butter. Check out my Benihana fried rice recipe, which you can perfectly pair with any meat, or even eaten on its own.
And no, we don’t end with fried rice!
Turn your dinner or snack into a heartier, tastier meal in a flash. There’s nothing easier than whipping up a quick meal – even when you’re lacking in inspiration. These two ingredients can make a whole lot of difference.
This Benihana-style garlic butter is a wonderful ingredient that you may also use in many meal preparations. Warning: it is highly addictive – I had to prepare my own version myself!
Try on everything, from pork, to stir-fried rice, and even clubs and sandwiches. The combination of flavors works great with anything, even with raw vegetables as dipping, to intricate confections.
But do you know what it’s really best for? Seafood! My apologies in advance if you are allergic to seafood ☹ This butter is perfect for sautéing shrimps, mussels, and even squid. Try making buttered chicken with it, too. Just heavenly!
You might also want to check out our recommendations on the best woks that can help you in making savory meals and other stir-fried dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Best Store Benihana Garlic Butter?
You can use jars with an airtight seal to store extra Benihana garlic butter, such as mason jars. You may also roll up your butter like cute little burritos using a baking sheet, and store them in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook, simply cut off portions as needed.
Another option is to put your garlic butter portions in ice cube trays, and just take a few cubes whenever a recipe calls for it.
What Kind Of Cooking Oil Does Benihana Use?
Benihana utilizes safflower oil, which also is the exact meaning of the restaurant’s name.
What Butter Do Hibachi Chefs Use?
Teppanyaki chefs use butter – especially this garlic butter – in substantial amounts while preparing food on broad teppanyaki tables.
What Kind Of Butter Does Japanese Steakhouse Use?
The only thing you need is unsalted or simple butter, because such steakhouses employ many more spices and sauces, including mirin and sesame, to balance out the flavor. Garlic butter can be found in some restaurants’ recipes as well.
What Is The Brown Sauce Used In Hibachi?
At Hibachi restaurants, diners have so many options when it comes to dipping sauces. You will usually see sesame, fruit, and miso being used. Ginger sauce is well-known for its brownish color and rich flavor, which is often made with ginger, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, and rice wine with additional ingredients such as sugar and spices.
Try Making Your Own Benihana Garlic Butter
Benihana’s garlic butter is a testament to the power of simple yet well-balanced flavors. By recreating this beloved ingredient in your own kitchen, you can unlock a world of culinary possibilities. The combination of rich, creamy butter with the fragrant essence of garlic, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice will elevate any dish you prepare.
Whether you’re grilling, sautéing, or spreading it on warm bread, Benihana garlic butter will add a burst of flavor that will leave your taste buds craving more. Unleash your inner teppanyaki chef and savor the incredible tastes of Benihana’s garlic butter right in your own home.
Will you be giving this recipe a shot? I hope you do! Please tell me about your experience making your very own garlic butter. You might have a bit of difficulty deciding between oil and garlic butter in your future meals, after you try this.
I am so excited to see you guys again in our next post. Thanks!
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