Make delicious homemade tonkatsu sauce with just four ingredients! Perfect for drizzling over katsu or as a dipping sauce. Quick, easy, and packed with flavour!

I’ve been using storebought Tonkatsu sauce for the longest time – until I chanced upon this recipe by JustOneCookbook (full credits for this goes to them!). I was sceptical that this would be as good… until I tried it out, made a few tiny adjustments, and found that this tasted BETTER than the storebought version! Whether you’re making Katsudon, or even using it as a dip for your favourite fried dishes, this homemade Tonkatsu sauce is a game-changer.

What is Tonkatsu Sauce?

Tonkatsu Sauce, or Katsu sauce, is a Japanese bbq sauce condiment that sweet, savoury, and tangy. It’s traditionally served with katsu, a breaded and deep-fried pork or chicken cutlet, but its versatility makes it perfect for many dishes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this a breeze to whip up.
Versatile: Perfect for pairing with a variety of dishes, from fried cutlets to sandwiches and more.
Customizable: Adjust the sweetness, tanginess, or spice to suit your taste preferences.
No Preservatives: Homemade means you control what goes into your sauce, ensuring it’s free from unnecessary additives!

Key Ingredients for Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce

Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a tangy depth and umami! This is a key ingredient, and quite irreplaceable with any other.
Tomato Ketchup: The same one you dip your fries in! This provides a sweet and tangy base.
Oyster Sauce: Enhances the umami savoury notes. You can also replace with Soy Sauce.
Sugar: Balances the acidity with sweetness.

Key Steps to Making Tonkatsu Sauce

1. Combine Ingredients

In a small mixing bowl, combine ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, oyster sauce and sugar.

2. Whisk Together

Whisk the ingredients together until the brown sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth and well combined.

3. Taste and Adjust

Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness or tanginess as needed! Simply put, the sauce should taste good! I prefer my sauce not so sweet (tomato ketchup has sugar as well), so I prefer adding less sugar.
If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a bit more sugar. If you want more tang, add a bit more Worcestershire sauce.

4. Store

Transfer the sauce to an airtight container or jar and refrigerate until ready to use.

How to Serve

Tonkatsu Sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used in many ways:

With Fried Cutlets: Drizzle over Chicken Katsu, Tonkatsu, or any breaded and fried cutlets.
As a Dip: Use as a dipping sauce for fries, or finger foods.
In Sandwiches: Spread on sandwiches or burgers for an extra layer of flavor.
With Rice or Noodles: Mix into rice or noodle dishes for a tangy twist… or as a main seasoning sauce for Yakisoba or Yaki Udon!
As a Glaze: Use as a glaze for grilled meats or vegetables.

Tips and Tricks

Infusion: For a deeper flavour, let the sauce sit in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight before using.
Spice Level: Add a bit of hot sauce, sriracha, chilli sauce, or chili powder if you like a spicier kick!
Stir Fry Magic: You can also use this in stir fries! This sauce would be perfect for making Yakisoba, but will also work for a lot of stir fries.

Storing and Reheating Instructions

Storing

Store the tonkatsu sauce in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 2 weeks – though I doubt it will last this long!

Reheating

Tonkatsu sauce is typically served at room temperature or slightly warm. If needed, gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. You can also give it a quick blitz in the microwave.

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