Learn how to make Benihana Copycat Garlic Butter with this easy recipe! This homemade version of the restaurant favorite is rich and savory and made with just a few simple ingredients.
The first time I tried recreating this, I was going for the perfect bite of Benihana’s hibachi steak at home. I wanted to make the kind of compound butter that melts beautifully into fried rice, steak, and veggies, the way it does at your favorite Japanese restaurant chain. As a result, this attempt at Benihana copycat recipes was born.
Why This Recipe Works
- Uses roasted garlic for real hibachi flavor.
- Blends ingredients in a proper ratio so it melts like restaurant butter.
- Includes soy sauce, the signature Benihana umami base.
- Stores well and freezes great.
Ingredients for Benihana Garlic Butter
Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for detailed ingredient measurements.
- Fresh garlic bulbs: will be roasted to give it that sweet, mellow, golden flavor. You’ll squeeze out the soft garlic cloves like paste.
- Unsalted butter (room temperature): ensures everything will blend smoothly. In this situation, you’ll want this rich and creamy, so avoid whipped butter.
- Light soy sauce: adds that deep umami flavor without overpowering the butter.
- Black pepper: gives the butter a subtle kick and enhances all the flavors.
- Lemon juice (optional): balances the richness beautifully with just a splash.
- Pinch of salt: is optional. Use based on how you like it or how salty your soy sauce is, accordingly.
How to Make Benihana Copycat Garlic Butter
Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full step-by-step instructions.
- Roast the garlic: Slice the tops off your garlic bulbs to begin with. Next, wrap them in foil, and place them on a baking sheet. Then, roast the garlic at 375°F for 35–40 minutes until it’s soft and golden brown. Alternatively, you can also use a hot pan or an air fryer for speed.
- Squeeze and mash: Once it’s done roasting, let the garlic bulb cool, then squeeze out the large chunks of garlic and mash it into a paste. This is going to be the base of your garlic paste. Set aside.
- Mix the butter: Subsequently, in a small bowl, mix the garlic paste with the softened butter, a little soy sauce, black pepper, and lemon juice (if using). You can do this with a fork, whisk, a small food processor, or even a hand mixer, for the best texture.
- Store it: When all the ingredients are mixed well altogether, transfer the mixture to an airtight container or wrap in a freezer bag, then into the refrigerator.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Garlic Butter
- Go big batch: A single batch is not enough! Double or triple this recipe and freeze. You’ll be glad you made a lot with how good and versatile in cooking this is.
- Use quality butter: Don’t do shortcuts. If you want to achieve the great flavor reminiscent of Benihana’s, then choose a high-quality stick of butter.
- Customize it: What’s beautiful about this recipe is that you can make modifications to the recipe. You can add sesame seeds, green onions, or a drizzle of sriracha for a spicy twist.
- Use it everywhere: Stir into day-old rice, melt over a large skillet of hibachi vegetables, or spread on warm dinner rolls, this garlic butter works.
Why You Need to Make This Copycat Garlic Butter
- This copycat recipe is a great way to bring that iconic Benihana cooking style to your own kitchen.
- It works amazingly well on leftover rice, chicken breast, grilled vegetables, or any Japanese cuisine.
- Making this at home will save you money.
- It uses key ingredients you can easily find at your local grocery store.
- It just delivers a great recipe and delicious flavors that you’ll come back to again and again.
- If you’ve ever seen a ‘TikTok – make this butter' video, then you’ll know why this is so popular.
How to Store Leftovers
You can store it in an airtight container and place it in the fridge for up to 2–3 weeks. You can also freeze it by wrapping it in plastic wrap, shaping it into a log, storing it in a freezer bag, and slicing as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Yes, technically. But, roasted garlic just gives a sweeter, more mellow flavor, plus the best texture.
I would always recommend using unsalted butter specifically. That way, you can control the salt content. Don’t whip the butter; you want it rich and creamy.
It’s not really required, however, you could if you want to. Just make sure you opt for just a touch of avocado oil, or sesame oil, for extra flavor.
Absolutely! In fact, this is the secret ingredient to Benihana’s signature fried rice.
There are so many other ways you can enjoy this. Add it on brown rice, grilled shrimp, or even as a topping to sautéed veggies.
You can substitute unsalted butter with vegan butter. However, it might feel a little different on the taste buds because there’s a difference in the richness.
Homemade Benihana Garlic Butter from scratch
How to Make Benihana Copycat Garlic Butter
Ingredients
- 3 heads garlic
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temp
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice optional
Instructions
- Cut tops off garlic heads, wrap in foil, and roast at 375°F for 35–40 minutes until soft. You can also do thi sin the airfryer for a shorter cook time.
- Squeeze out the roasted garlic and mash. Let it cool.
- Mix garlic with butter, soy sauce, pepper, and lemon juice. Set aside.
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