The Essential Finishing Touch for Tonkatsu: Mom’s Homemade Katsu Sauce!
A good katsu sauce is non-negotiable for chicken katsu or pork tonkatsu—it’s the sweet, savory, umami-packed finishing touch that makes crispy cutlets truly irresistible. Think of it like a Japanese-style barbecue sauce—bold, tangy, and perfect for drizzling (or dunking!) over golden, crunchy katsu. 🤤
In my family, katsu night wasn’t just about the crispy cutlets—it was all about the sauce. I was a picky eater as a kid, but ultra-crispy chicken katsu was always an exception. How could it not be? Thin, juicy cutlets, coated in crispy panko, shallow-fried until golden brown—it’s basically a chicken tender!
And dunking it into Mom’s Homemade Katsu Sauce made it even better. 😋
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True to Mom’s signature cooking style, this low-fuss, foolproof sauce comes together on the stovetop in just 10 minutes with 5 pantry staples—shoyu, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and a pinch of cayenne. That’s it!
It’s sweet, tangy, and deeply savory, perfectly balanced to cut through the richness of fried cutlets. And the best part? You can whisk it together in minutes while your katsu fries. 😎
Trust me—after one batch, you’ll never need the store-bought kind again! 🙌🏼
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A Taste of Hawaii at Home
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This homemade katsu sauce takes just 10 minutes, one pot, and minimal effort—the perfect quick-fix for bold, savory-sweet flavor anytime!
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Serving Suggestions
At my house, katsu night means one thing: a Hawaii-style plate lunch—crispy, golden cutlets drizzled with plenty of tangy-sweet sauce, a scoop of fluffy white rice, and Mom’s 25-Minute Local-Style Mac Salad. So ‘ono! 🌺🤙🏼
But tonkatsu sauce isn’t just for cutlets! Treat it like BBQ sauce—use it as a savory-sweet dip for fries or chicken nuggets, swipe it onto a burger or sando, or drizzle it over your favorite rice bowls and stir-fries. You can’t go wrong!
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I can’t wait for you to try Mom’s Easy, 5-Ingredient Katsu Sauce! Fast, foolproof, and packed with bold, savory flavor—pure mom magic! 💜
If you give it a try, be sure to let us know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo and tag @playswellwithbutter on Instagram. We LOVE seeing your PWWB creations! ♡ Happy cooking!
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Mom’s 5-Ingredient Easy Homemade Katsu Sauce (10 Minutes)
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Prep Time: 5 minutes -
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Cook Time: 5 minutes -
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Total Time: 10 minutes -
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Yield: ⅓ cup -
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Category: Sauces & Condiments -
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Method: Stovetop -
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Cuisine: Japanese-American, Asian-Inspired
Description
Ditch the bottle—my Japanese-American Mom’s Homemade Katsu Sauce is fresher, bolder, and way better than store-bought!
This savory-sweet, umami-packed tonkatsu sauce comes together in a flash with just 5 pantry staples—shoyu, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and a dash of cayenne. Drizzle it over rice bowls, slather it on a sando, or serve with crispy chicken katsu or pork tonkatsu.
Quick, easy, and ready in 10 minutes!
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup lightly packed brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons shoyu (can sub low-sodium soy sauce or tamari)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- optional: up to ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season
Instructions
- Simmer the katsu sauce: In a small saucepan, combine all listed ingredients (ketchup, brown sugar, shoyu, Worcestershire sauce). Season with cayenne pepper and a dash of ground black pepper, if desired. Whisk to combine well. Place the saucepan on the stovetop over medium-high heat and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring often, until the sugar is dissolved, about 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional shoyu or kosher salt, as needed.Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![An overhead shot of shoyu being poured into a saucepan with ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. The saucepan sits on a light grey textured surface.]()
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Clik here to view.![An overhead shot of a woman's hand holding up a spoonful of katsu sauce over a saucepan sitting atop a white textured surface.]()
- Serve: Enjoy your homemade katsu sauce immediately! It’s the perfect pairing for Crispy Chicken Katsu and Japanese pork tonkatsu but also makes a delicious dip for fries or chicken nuggets, a drizzle for burgers or sandwiches, or a savory addition to rice bowls and stir-fries. Enjoy!Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![A close-up overhead shot of a spoonful of katsu sauce in a small white bowl of sauce on a grey textured surface.]()
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Clik here to view.![An overhead shot of sauce drizzled over chicken katsu on a light teal plate with white rice and mac salad.]()
Equipment
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Great Jones Stainless Steel Saucepan
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Stainless Steel Measuring Cups & Spoons
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Jess’ Notes and Tips:
- Shoyu is a Japanese-style soy sauce with a slightly mellower and more rounded flavor compared to the soy sauces commonly found in conventional U.S. grocery stores. Aloha Shoyu, brewed in Hawaii, is my favorite brand and a staple in my kitchen. If you can’t find shoyu, use any low-sodium soy sauce or your favorite alternative, such as tamari for a gluten-free option.
- Dietary Restrictions: For a gluten-free katsu sauce, substitute shoyu/soy sauce with tamari or another gluten-free soy sauce alternative. Also, double-check that your ketchup and Worcestershire sauce are certified gluten-free. For a vegetarian or vegan katsu sauce, use vegan Worcestershire sauce—Annie’s is my favorite brand!
Storage Instructions:
- Storage Instructions: Transfer cooled katsu sauce to an airtight container or jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. This sauce stores beautifully, so feel free to make a double or triple batch to have on hand for quick meals and snacks.
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