Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce: The Ultimate Japanese Barbecue Companion
Elevate your crispy panko-crusted cutlets with this irresistible homemade tonkatsu sauce!
Ever found yourself with a delicious piece of katsu but no sauce to accompany it? That’s exactly what happened to me, and it led me on a quest to create the perfect tonkatsu sauce at home. Now, I’m sharing this culinary treasure with you!
Despite its complex flavor profile, this sauce is surprisingly simple to whip up. While it’s a staple in Japanese cuisine, its roots actually trace back to British Worcestershire sauce. Our version is a sweeter, thicker twist on this classic condiment.
The magic of this sauce lies in its perfect balance of flavors. Ketchup and Worcestershire form the base, while soy sauce adds a salty depth. A touch of mirin and sugar bring sweetness, and mustard and garlic powder round out the profile with a subtle kick. The result? A sauce that’ll make you wonder why you ever settled for store-bought!
Tonkatsu Sauce (Japanese-Style Barbecue Sauce)
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup ketchup (3 ounces; 88g)
- 1/4 cup (60ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) mirin
- 1 tablespoon (15g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
- In a small bowl, combine ketchup, Worcestershire, soy sauce, mirin, sugar, mustard, and garlic powder. Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated. Your tonkatsu sauce is ready to use! For the best flavor, let it sit for 10 minutes before serving. You can use it immediately or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 63 | Calories |
| 0g | Fat |
| 15g | Carbs |
| 1g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 4 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 63 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1073mg | 47% |
| Total Carbohydrate 15g | 5% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 1% |
| Total Sugars 11g | |
| Protein 1g | |
| Vitamin C 3mg | 15% |
| Calcium 27mg | 2% |
| Iron 1mg | 7% |
| Potassium 252mg | 5% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |