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Katsu sauce is a thick and glossy ketchup-based sauce that’s perfect for dipping fried foods! A staple in Japanese and Hawaiian cuisine, you’re going to love having this on hand in your kitchen.
If you’re looking for more tasty homemade sauces to level up your favorite Asian dishes with, try yakitori sauce, yum yum sauce, or sweet chili sauce!
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Budget Friendly: Making your own dipping sauce at home with pantry staples can save you money in the long run.
- Customizable: The great thing about this sauce is that you can adjust the amount of each ingredient to suit your tastes.
- Versatile: This sauce can be used for so many things! It is great for dipping fried chicken, pork, shrimp, wontons, spring rolls, or egg rolls.
What is Tonkatsu (Katsu) Sauce?
Katsu, also called bull-dog sauce, is a Japanese dipping sauce served alongside fried chicken or pork cutlets, also known as chicken katsu! If you’ve never tried this dreamy condiment before, you’re missing out. Katsu sauce is similar to barbecue sauce, with ketchup as its base. Then it gets mixed with Worcestershire sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and garlic and onion powders to really make the flavor pop.
Ingredients in Katsu Sauce
It only takes a few ingredients to make katsu sauce, and they’re all really simple and easy to find! Of course, you can tweak the ratios to your liking. Check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.
- Ketchup: Like barbecue sauce, ketchup is the base of katsu sauce. It adds just the right amount of sweetness and acidity.
- Worcestershire Sauce: For a punch of tangy, umami flavor.
- Sugar: Balances the flavors in your sauce. You can add more or less to taste, depending on how sweet you like your sauces.
- Oyster Sauce: Oyster sauce isn’t quite as salty as soy sauce, but has a similar taste. Hoisin sauce can also be used as a substitute.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: For a punch of sharp, savory flavor.
How to Make Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce
With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a fresh batch of homemade katsu sauce, in minutes, so there’s no trip to the grocery store needed! Plus, your family will love how it tastes.
- Add Ingredients to a Bowl: In a medium bowl, add the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, oyster sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Combine: Whisk to combine until smooth.
- Serve: Enjoy right away as a dip or sauce.
Ways to Customize Your Katsu Sauce
Make this tasty katsu sauce just the way you like it with these extra tips and tricks!
- Make it Sweeter: If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add more sugar to taste. Start with the suggested amount of 2 tablespoons and then adjust accordingly! You can also use brown sugar or honey instead.
- Extra Flavor: Add a few drops of rice wine vinegar for more tanginess, or sesame oil for some nuttiness!
- Let the Flavors Meld: For a stronger flavor, refrigerate your sauce for about an hour before serving.
Storing Leftover Sauce
If you have leftover katsu sauce, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to one week. Give it a quick stir before using it to ensure you fully combine all the ingredients.
Try These Other Homemade Sauces!
Making sauces at home is a fun way to try new things and make them better than store-bought. It’s also a great way to save money. Here are some of my tried-and-true sauce recipes—you’re sure to love them!
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Katsu Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons sugar, plus more to taste if needed
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, oyster sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Whisk to combine until smooth.
- Enjoy right away as a dip or sauce.
- Cover in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
“Ingredients in Katsu Sauce”
It only takes a few ingredients to make katsu sauce, and they’re all really simple and easy to find! It’s just a mix of ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and onion.
I don’t see BROWN SUGAR in your recipe OR even as one of your substitutes. Is your original recipe sugar or Brown Sugar??? (also, if you are kind enough to respond to this, please explain your calorie count…kcal in the U.S. would mean Kilo-Calories…1000 times the Calories?) I’m old, so I might not understand your designation.
Thanks, I have enjoyed trying many of your recipes…..Mark