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Last updated on May 12th, 2024 at 07:17 pm

Quick and easy, kid-friendly, sweet and savory tonkatsu sauce for fried chicken or pork cutlets, croquettes and even as barbeques sauce.

What is tonkatsu sauce?

Tonkatsu sauce is a Japanese sauce normally served with tonkatsu or fried pork cutlet and other fried dishes such as chicken cutlets, croquettes, hamburgers, okonomiyaki and barbeque.

Homemade sauces

Having been to homely Japanese restaurants where I was introduced to tonkatsu sauce, making this sauce at home is not as difficult as one might think.

Of course, we could buy the bottled sauce but most days it is easier just to open the cupboards and whip up our own. In addition, a trip to the shop does not justify a bottled sauce so a tonkatsu sauce copycat is a go-to in our house. So, if you come to our house and opened the fridge you are most likely to find a Bull-dog Vegetable and Fruit Sauce copycat in addition to many pots of sauces and condiments that we frequently use.

This recipe uses 5 ingredients or reduce to 4 if after taste testing the flavor closely resembles the tonkatsu sauce in those restaurants we have been to.

I have scoured the Internet for recipes and have found Justonecookbook’s way to base this recipe. In her recipe, she called for 4 ingredients which include ketchup, sugar, Worcestershire sauce and oyster sauce. I have decided to make mine without oyster sauce and played a bit with ketchup, sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and vinegar. The amount of sugar and acid in the ingredients used for recipes would vary so I have learnt to always do a taste test to check if the flavor is right.

In the ideal world, to make tonkatsu sauce from scratch would be the best. I would follow Adam Liaw’s recipe when I finally have the time to make it from scratch. He explained why and how the ingredients were put together to come up with a yummy-looking brown sauce to enjoy. Will you make a pot of sauce when you have time one day?

Ingredients

Ketchup – Adds sweetness and affects the thickness of the outcome. The sweetness depends on the brand so please check for sweetness before adding sugar.

Sugar – Replace with honey or other preferred sweeteners.

Soy sauce – A regular type of soy sauce will work to add saltiness, umami and soy sauce flavor. A Japanese brand soy sauce is recommended but use what is on hand. It will work fine according to your needs. Keep in mind the saltiness of each bottle.

Worcestershire sauce – Lea & Perrins is what I use.

Rice vinegar – Adds tanginess but still mellow

How to make homemade tonkatsu sauce

Mix the ingredients in a bowl, whisk or stir vigorously to combine. Add ingredients in increments to adjust the flavor to your liking. Make the sauce 30 minutes before use to let the flavors come together. Make the night before as a richer flavor will develop overnight. A quick note on how to make this a Bull-dog Vegetable & Fruit sauce copycat is to add onion or garlic powder. Lastly, make this vegan by using vegan Worcestershire sauce as the Lea & Perrins used in this recipe is vegetarian but not vegan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is tonkatsu sauce made of?

Wikipedia claims it may consist of fruits and vegetables among the sauce’s ingredients. Adam Liaw’s recipe calls for fruits, vegetables and spices. As to the history of the sauce, I need to have research on where, how and when it was made. Here is one blog to read about the sauce but if you know the history of tonkatsu sauce please leave a comment below. I would be grateful for the information.

What should tonkatsu sauce taste like?

It is a sweet and savory sauce drizzled over fried protein cutlets.

Storage

Store in an air tight container and keep in the fridge.

Try these sauces and condiments recipes next:

Filipino Spiced Vinegar

Easy Dumping Sauce

Nuoc Cham

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

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