Homemade Katsu Sauce Recipe – Better Than Store-Bought

Katsu sauce is rich, flavorful, and absolutely perfect for panko-crusted chicken and pork cutlets. This homemade Japanese tonkatsu sauce offers significantly more depth and complexity than anything you can buy at the store. With its perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors plus a subtle bite, this sauce transforms ordinary fried foods into restaurant-quality dishes.

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What Makes Katsu Sauce So Good?

Sweet and tangy with just the right amount of bite, the best way to think about katsu sauce is as a Japanese version of barbecue sauce. This rich, complex condiment is most commonly known as the glossy brown dipping sauce that accompanies katsu, the incredibly popular fried pork cutlet dish that has fascinating Western origins.

Katsu first appeared in Japan during the 19th century when a local cook freely adapted a dish he had experienced while traveling abroad, modifying it to better reflect Japanese tastes and preferences. This cross-cultural culinary evolution has resulted in something uniquely delicious that bridges the flavors of East and West.

What Is Katsu Sauce Made Of?

For the Sauce Base:

• Ketchup – Provides sweetness, acidity, and the foundation tomato flavor that anchors the sauce
• Soy sauce – Adds essential umami depth and saltiness that balances the sweet elements
• Brown sugar – Creates rich sweetness with molasses notes that complement the other flavors

For Authentic Japanese Flavor:

• Mirin – Sweet rice wine that adds subtle complexity and authentic Japanese character
• Worcestershire sauce – Contributes tangy depth and fermented flavor complexity
• Fresh ginger – Provides warm spice and brightness that cuts through richness
• Garlic – Adds aromatic depth and savory foundation to the sauce

Ingredient Notes

Use a dark soy sauce, sometimes labeled as koikuchi, for this recipe. It has the right balance of umami flavor and saltiness. The Kikkoman brand is widely available and works well in this sauce recipe.

Mirin is a type of rice wine, and it’s a common ingredient in Japanese cooking. Authentic mirin is not cheap, but you can find less expensive versions online that taste similar and work well enough for this recipe. If you can’t find mirin, you can use dry sherry as a substitute.

Feel free to use ordinary Worcestershire sauce, but if you can obtain a bottle of Japanese-style Worcestershire sauce, try that instead. You’ll notice a massive difference in flavor. A famous brand of Japanese-style Worcestershire that you can sometimes find in the supermarket is Bull-Dog sauce, but any Japanese-style Worcestershire sauce will do.

How To Make Katsu Sauce

1. Put all the ingredients in a bowl.

2. Stir until the mixture is thoroughly combined.
3. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to thoroughly combine.

How To Serve Katsu Sauce

To elevate your homemade Katsu Sauce, stir a tablespoon or two of toasted sesame seeds into the sauce.

Serve the sauce in a small bowl as you would a dipping sauce or in a small pitcher so it can be poured over the dish.

What To Serve Katsu Sauce With?

You will often find a small bowl of tonkatsu sauce served alongside a breaded and pan-fried pork cutlet and a lightly dressed cabbage salad. But that is not the other way to enjoy this recipe.

The sweet and sour flavor pairs well with a variety of fried foods. Use it as an Asian-style dipping sauce for chicken nuggets and tenders or even homemade tater tots. It is also particularly good in place of the white gravy on top of chicken fried steak.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerator Storage – Store in a covered container or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 2 months. The flavors improve over time as they continue to meld.

Serving Temperature – Serve at room temperature for the best flavor experience. Remove from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving.

Freezing – Not recommended, as the texture and flavor balance may change when frozen and thawed.

Favorite Japanese Recipes

• Air Fryer Shrimp Tempura
• Chicken Lo Mein
• Fried Shrimp Tempura
• Hibachi Fried Rice
• Hibachi Steak with Mushrooms
• Japanese Salad Dressing
• Pork Katsu
• Tempura Batter

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• Asian Wing Sauce
• Japanese Mustard Sauce
• Sweet and Sour Sauce
• Thai Peanut Sauce
• Yum Yum Sauce

Check out more of my easy sauce recipes and the best Asian recipes here on CopyKat!