This easy katsu sauce is simple to whip up because it doesn’t require any cooking! You’ll have bits of tangy, sweet, and savory flavor that pair perfectly with pork or chicken katsu. Learn how to make a batch of this tonkatsu sauce in under 5 minutes that lasts a week in the fridge.
What is tonkatsu sauce? If necessary
Tonkatsu sauce, or katsu sauce, is a Japanese condiment similar to a sweet barbecue sauce that is meant to be paired with the popular pork cutlet or homemade chicken katsu. Whether or not you’re eating tonkatsu (pork cutlet) or chicken katsu, the katsu sauce is relatively the same, with savory ingredients of Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and sugar.
If you’ve been to L&L or Aloha BBQ, you may also notice that there’s Hawaiian-style katsu sauce that comes with your meal. Hawaiian-style katsu sauce can be sweeter and tangier than the traditional Japanese version, which has a more balanced flavor profile with a savory and sweet taste. This katsu sauce is more similar to the Hawaiian version.
Ingredients in katsu sauce
Here are the simple ingredients for this homemade katsu sauce:
- Ketchup is the base that creates the tangy flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce adds layers of umami that complement the other ingredients, such as tanginess, savoriness, and salty notes. I wouldn’t try to substitute Worcestershire sauce here.
- Soy sauce adds more saltiness and depth.
- Mirin gives a mild fruity acidity and a mellow sweetness.
- Both white granulated sugar and dark brown sugar balance out the tangy and savory notes in the other ingredients.
- Garlic and ginger powder add more layers of savory seasonings to the sauce.
If you don’t have time or ingredients to make katsu sauce, you can also buy premade condiments from local Japanese or Asian grocery stores. Some popular katsu brands are Bull-Dog Tonkatsu Sauce and Kikkoman Tonkatsu Sauce.
Tips for making katsu sauce
- Prepare the sauce a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use. While katsu sauce is easy to whip up and doesn’t require any cooking, I do prefer making a batch for the week because it allows the flavors to enhance overnight.
- This recipe doesn’t require cooking, but you can also warm it up in the microwave if you like a warmer condiment with your fried chicken.
- If you’re taking the katsu sauce out of the fridge before serving, give it a good mix to re-incorporate any ingredients that may have settled.
- Homemade katsu sauce should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. When using katsu for a meal, always use a clean spoon to serve to prevent bacteria from entering the katsu container.
Katsu Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ c ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tbsp regular soy sauce
- ½ tbsp mirin
- ½ tbsp white granulated sugar
- 1 tsp dark brown sugar
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp ginger powder
Equipment Used
- measuring cups and spoons
- mixing bowl
- whisk or spatula
Instructions
- In a bowl, add all the ingredients: ¼ c ketchup, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, ½ tbsp regular soy sauce, ½ tbsp mirin, ½ tbsp white granulated sugar, 1 tsp dark brown sugar, ½ tsp garlic powder, and ¼ tsp ginger powder.
- Whisk until fully incorporated.
- Serve with chicken or pork katsu.
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