This Huli Huli Sauce recipe makes a delicious Hawaiian bbq sauce that is perfect for grilled chicken. The sauce is a blend of pineapple juice, ketchup, chili sauce, and other seasonings that create a tangy flavor. The best thing about this tangy sauce is that it makes a great marinade or basting sauce for so many different proteins.
Next time try this amazing Teriyaki Marinade Recipe!
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ The marinade is easy to make and uses ingredients you already have.
✔️ It adds great flavor to grilled chicken thighs, wings, and other proteins.
✔️ By making it at home, you can adjust the spice level to suit your taste buds.
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- ketchup
- brown sugar
- soy sauce
- pineapple juice
- sesame oil
- garlic cloves minced
- fresh ginger
- rice vinegar
- chili garlic sauce
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.
- Mince the garlic cloves and grate the ginger.
- Combine the ginger, garlic, and remaining ingredients in a small pot. Whisk to combine.
- Place pot over high heat and boil on the stovetop; reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for five minutes until it's reduced by about twenty-five percent. Continue stirring for five minutes as it reduces so it won't scorch. The sauce will slightly thicken.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days.
Equipment
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FAQ's
No, huli huli is not the same as teriyaki. While both are sweet and savory sauces, huli huli sauce is made with a different combination of ingredients than teriyaki sauce.
Huli huli is a Hawaiian word meaning "turn turn" and refers to turning the chicken over the grill as it cooks. The term was made popular by Ernest Morgado, who created a famous recipe for Huli Huli Chicken in 1955.
The Hawaiian word Huli Huli is pronounced: "hoo-lee hoo-lee."
Deb's tips
- If you don't have a microplane, finely mince the ginger instead.
- Due to the sugar content in this recipe, I recommend that you stir it often while it is reducing to prevent scorching.
- If you find that the sauce has become too thick, adding a little bit of chicken broth or water can help thin it out.
- I love to serve huli-huli chicken over a bed of white rice. The rice soaks up the sweet and savory sauce and makes every bite out of this world delicious.
- This sauce is great on chicken, pork chops, or even shrimp.
Variations
- For an extra spicy kick, add a tablespoon of sriracha sauce or some red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- If you prefer a sweeter flavor, add an additional tablespoon of brown sugar.
- You can also use apple cider vinegar instead of rice vinegar if desired. Though, it will change the flavor of this sauce slightly.
Storage
Refrigerate - Store your huli-huli sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days.
Freeze - If desired, you can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Just make sure to thaw it completely before using it.
Related recipes
- If you love a sweet and tangy sauce like this, you will want to check out this Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers recipe. It's a great recipe to make during the summer grilling season, plus the tender chicken will please the entire family.
- The next time you are in the mood for a sweet and spicy meal that's fresh and healthy, this Honey Sriracha Chicken is the recipe you want to add to your meal plan this coming week!
- Are you searching for a family-friendly recipe to toss into the slow cooker and carry on your day? If so, this Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken is the recipe for you, it's a dump-and-go recipe that doesn't take a lot of effort and is always a crowd-pleaser for the entire family.
Serve with
- My family loves when I serve Huli Huli Chicken with a simple macaroni salad like this Creamy Pasta Salad recipe. It's a refreshing yet delicious side that pairs with grilled chicken.
- When you're grilling, throw on some Bacon Wrapped Asparagus for the perfect side dish!
- These Smashed Fingerling Potatoes are crispy and flavorful and make a perfect side dish to serve with a chicken dish like this one.
- Are you like me and enjoy a sweet treat to end your meal? If so, this Chocolate Hershey Pie recipe is just what you need. It's easy to make, creamy, and super sweet.
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Huli Huli Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 ½ inches fresh ginger grated or minced
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
Instructions
- Mince the garlic cloves and grate the ginger.
- Combine the ginger and garlic, and the remaining ingredients in a small pot. Whisk to combine.
- Place pot over high heat and bring to a boil on the stovetop, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for five minutes until it's reduced by about twenty-five percent. Continue stirring for the five minutes as it reduces so it won't scorch. The sauce will slightly thicken.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days.
Robert says
Have you ever made a large batch of your Huli Huli save and put it in mason jars and “canned” it?
Bowl Me Over says
I have not canned the huli huli sauce, but I have froze it. Enjoy the recipe Robert!