Say hello to your favorite Japanese condiment! This 4-ingredient tonkatsu sauce recipe tastes just like the real thing and pairs beautifully with katsu cutlets, croquettes, and other deep fried foods. It can also be used as a spread for sandwiches or as a sauce for chicken or beef.
Why This Recipe Works
- Easy to make. The entire recipe only takes 5 minutes and requires 4 ingredients.
- Kid friendly. This sauce is extremely kid friendly because of its sweet and fruity flavors.
- Long shelf life. Because the ingredients used have a long shelf life, this tonkatsu sauce can be kept in the fridge for several months. This means you can make a big bottle of it, refrigerate it, and not worry about it.
Table of contents
What is Tonkatsu Sauce?
Tonkatsu sauce – とんかつソース – (sometimes also referred to as katsu sauce) is a sweet and tangy Japanese condiment used for dipping or as a sauce for sandwiches. It’s made using a mixture of fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, celery, carrots, apples, and prunes, a variety of spices, and condiments such as soy sauce and vinegar.
It’s been around since 1902, right around the time when western food was becoming popular in Japanese homes. The sauce was developed to accommodate the Japanese palate and was used on western dishes such as cutlets and other fried foods.
Tonkatsu sauce can also be referred to as Japanese barbecue sauce. Parts of the flavor profile you might associate with a good Western style BBQ sauce are represented in this iconic Japanese sauce.
What Does Tonkatsu Mean?
The word tonkatsu actually means pork cutlet so the literal translation for tonkatsu sauce is pork cutlet sauce. You might have seen it sold in Asian stores next to the ketchup or barbecue sauce. The Bulldog brand is by far the most popular tonkatsu sauce and is sold in three different flavors – Worcestershire (a spicier version), semi-sweet, and classic.
Ingredients for Tonkatsu Sauce
Scroll all the way down for the full recipe.
- Ketchup: One of the two main ingredients for this sauce. Ketchup adds a tangy sweetness that can only be found in tomato based products.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Usually, Worcestershire is used sparingly because of its strong flavor. But when it comes to making tonkatsu sauce, as much as 1/4 cup is used. So you can expect plenty of smokiness!
- Sugar: Just a teaspoon to adjust the sweetness of the sauce.
- Soy Sauce: A couple of teaspoons of soy sauce for umami and saltiness.
How to Make Tonkatsu Sauce
Whisk all the ingredients in a bowl and serve. Easy!
Adjusting the Taste
I created this recipe to mimic the taste of Bulldog’s classic tonkatsu sauce as close as possible. Here are easy ways to adjust the taste to your preference:
- If you prefer something spicier, add a little more Worcestershire sauce. You could even mince a couple of Thai chilis and add them to the sauce.
- If you prefer it sweeter, add more ketchup and a sprinkle of sugar. You could also substitute honey for sugar.
Vegan Tonkatsu Sauce
If you are vegan but would like to give this recipe a try, use vegan Worcestershire, or make it from scratch by following the recipe below. This recipe makes about 1/4 cup.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of allspice
Directions: Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and use.
Storage
To store homemade tonkatsu sauce, keep it in a jar or other storage container, and refrigerate for several months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tonkatsu sauce is part of a triumvirate of Japanese style sauces, unsurprisingly called ‘sauce’ (ソース) – [pronounced so-su]. While the tastes of these sauces may be slightly different, many of the base ingredients are the same. You can use usuta sauce (ウスターソース), which is a thinner and more watery version, or chuno sauce (中濃ソース), which is more of a split-the-difference type of sauce from a viscosity.
Like a sweeter version of a classic barbecue sauce. It’s not as smoky and has a fruitier taste.
Of course! I recommend using Bulldog because it’s the most famous and loved brand in Japan (and all over the world). My whole family in Japan uses it, and we do as well!
Tonkatsu sauce is fairly easy to find. In bigger cities like New York and Los Angeles, you might be able to find it regular grocery stores. If not, Asian supermarkets and Japanese grocery stores will have it. Or, you can order it here on Amazon.
What to Serve with Tonkatsu Sauce
Any type of breaded cutlet will pair beautifully with this sauce since it was originally intended for pork cutlets. In fact, I find that most deep fried dishes pair really well with tonkatsu sauce. It also makes a delicious dipping sauce or condiment for foods like french fries, burgers, and sandwiches. Basically, use tonkatsu sauce like you would use barbecue sauce.
Some of my favorite dishes to pair with this sauce are:
- Breaded tofu chicken
- Tofu edamame patties
- Baked chicken katsu
- Beef and potato croquettes (korokke)
- Takoyaki
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PrintHomemade Tonkatsu Sauce
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: About 1/2 cup 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Mixing Bowl
- Cuisine: Japanese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Meet Japan’s version of barbecue sauce! This is a deliciously sweet and smoky Japanese sauce made with just 4 ingredients, and ready in 5 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and serve.
Notes
Refrigerate the tonkatsu sauce in a jar or container for several months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 6.9g
- Sodium: 399.3mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9.7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0.2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Cajun Power Worcestershire Sauce (made here in Louisiana) is also a very thick vegan sauce, which even my non-vegan friends ask me to ship to them by the case as it’s only a couple dollars a bottle. Used it for this recipe and enjoyed it very much.
As a vegan sauces are essential to successful meals and this recipe does glorious things to roasted beets, asparagus, broccoli, even lame cauliflower. I used an organic, vegan, gluten free worcestershire sauce by “The Wizard’s” and sodium-reduced tamari, as well as liquid date syrup with only one item on the ingredient list: dates. My palate was salsa dancing all night long 🙂 Thank you, Caroline!
Thank you so much Martina! 🙂
i didn’t actually try this recipe myself… i made it for my mum and brother with pork tonkatsu. my brother hates pork as a rule, but was willing to give it a go. with the sauce, he actually ate the whole thing! and my mum was super complimentary too. the meat and the sauce went super well together – i really reccomend this recipe.
Hey Caroline, most of the bottled sauces have apple sauce as an ingredient and I’m curious as to why yours does not…
Hi Bill!
I didn’t feel like it needed it and was happy with the way it tasted 🙂
This is really good! But I was curious, if I wanted to try it with the applesauce, how much would I add?
This was a really simple recipe which was awesome because I know normally this sauce uses oyster sauce which I don’t always have. This still had a great taste and went perfect with my chicken katsu tonight! Definitely recommend!
I made the vegan Worcestershire accidentally thinking THAT was it, then noticed the rest of the instructions. Oops!
That said, this sauce was amazing with our extra crispy chicken cutlets. Definitely will make again!
I’ve been putting homemade tonkatsu sauce on my meatloaf for years and didn’t even know it.
Is the sauce what I need to makeTonkatsu soup?
I have been making a lot of ramen soup with chicken but my son had a spicy creamy soup what do I do make the pork boil for hours then add this ? He said it is spicy!
Hi Andie,
The ramen soup is actually called ‘tonkotsu’ and is made with pork bones. Tonkatsu sauce is more like a Japanese barbecue sauce used as a dipping sauce or to pair with fried foods 🙂
I haven’t made this sauce yet, but wanted to let you know there is a vegetarian Worcestershire sauce called Lord Sandys which is very good.
Thank you so much for this! Bulldog sauce has high fructose corn syrup so this is a great substitute.
You’re welcome Cindy! 🙂
Awesome! Quick to make and tastes just like store bought. I used gluten free Tamari instead of soy sauce and was perfect for a gluten free diet!
Thank you so much Spence!
Hi,
The ingredients listed below ‘Make it Vegan’ is that a substitute for the whole recipe or just a substitute for the Worcester sauce (i.e. you’d still need to add the other ingredients)
Just wondering as the ketchup is absent from that list.
Hi Callum! It’s just a substitute for the Worcestershire sauce 🙂
Made this sauce this evening and put it on homemade cheese burgers and it was simply fantastic. Had it with Japanese Kewpie mayo, lettuce and pineapple rings and have to say the combo of the tonkatsu sauce and the Japanese mayo was utterly delicious.
I also saw that you have a DIY Japanese mayo recipe too, so once my bottle of Kewpie is finished I’ll be having a go at that too.
Many thanks Caroline!
You burger sounds soooo good, I’m also a big fan of pineapple and tonkatsu sauce on a burger, except that mine is with salmon 🙂 Thank you so much Tim!
Tonight is the second time I’m making this sauce. I like the simplicity of it, not a lot of ingredients and all you need to do is to measure and stir. I like the taste of it. It doesn’t mask the taste of the food but it adds flavor to it.
My goodness – I am going to be very busy for a long. time. I have looked for a good Japanese site FOREVER. Thank you so much for sharing your talent.
I am very familiar with Japanese cuisine – – have read 4 or 5 recipes and can’t wait to put them together and simply pig out. Baked breaded Tofu Chicken will be my first with Tonkatsu sauce
Thank you so much Fonce!!
This is my favorite Tonkatsu sauce by far. It has the depth and complexity I love
2/3C soy sauce
1/2C Heinz 57
1 apple, or Asian pear chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 can of 8 oz canned crushed pineapple and their juice
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
6 tbsp brown sugar
4 tbsp corn syrup
* combine all the ingredients in a sauce pan over medium heat. Boil and simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes until it gets thickened and syrupy. Strain the sauce in the strainer pressing with spoon to get all the juice. Discard the filling and keep the sauce in the fridge until ready to use. Makes about 1/2C
Yes! I made this sauce in a New York minute, including stirring!
How long can you keep this in the fridge?
Hi Carol! This sauce will keep in the fridge for up to a month 🙂
Thank you! Love how easy this was. I actually added a dash of sesame oil and it was super delish also! I also love that you added an explanation for Japanese sauces and the differences between them. I’m American with an Asian husband and trying to cook more Asian food for him and our kids. The background info really helps!
I am pinning this recipe and I just want to tell you how much I am enjoying perusing your blog! I also pinned the Pancit recipe and enjoyed the brief history lesson you provided with it. That will make an interesting story to share when eating that yummy looking dish!! I just wanted you to know I am enjoying your talent and the energy and care you obviously put into the site. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.
Thank you so much Lori, you just put a big smile on my face! 🙂