Tonkatsu sauce is a thick, sweet-savory Japanese condiment most commonly served with breaded pork cutlets and other deep fried foods. Made with only 4 ingredients, this homemade version delivers the same tangy, umami-rich flavor you’d find in Japanese restaurants — and only takes 5 minutes to make.
This homemade tonkatsu sauce is sweet, smokey, and tangy – just like the Japanese original. I always keep a bottle of it in my fridge because of its versatility. Beside being used for katsu dishes, it’s also delicious with fries, korokke (croquettes), and as a bbq sauce for sandwiches.
While bottled versions are widely available in Japan, homemade tonkatsu sauce is easy to make and allows you to control the balance of flavors using ingredients that are easy to find.
Why this Recipe Works
- Quick to make. Only 4 ingredients and 5 minutes needed.
- Versatile and kid friendly. Works with both Japanese and Western recipes. Because it’s fruity and ketchup-like, kids love the flavor – especially with nuggets.
- Long shelf life. This tonkatsu sauce can be kept in the fridge for months because the ingredients used have a long shelf life.
Table of contents
What is Tonkatsu Sauce?
Tonkatsu sauce (とんかつソース), sometimes called katsu sauce, is a thick, sweet, and tangy Japanese condiment. It’s traditionally served with tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlets) but is also used with chicken katsu, korokke (croquettes), karaage and other fried foods. It’s the Japanese version of barbecue sauce, made of various fruits and vegetables, spices, and seasonings such as soy sauce and rice vinegar.
The word tonkatsu translates to pork cutlet, so the literal translation for tonkatsu sauce is pork cutlet 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.
Flavor Profile
Tonkatsu sauce is sweet, fruity, tangy, smoky, and savory. It’s similar to barbecue sauce but with more complex flavors leaning more to the savory and smoky side.
Tonkatsu Sauce Ingredients
- Ketchup: Ketchup is sweet and fruity and tangy.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce adds smokiness and something peppery.
- Sugar: A little sugar is included to balance the savory and tangy elements.
- Soy Sauce: Soy sauce adds depth of flavor and umami.
New to Japanese food? Here are 14 Essential Japanese Ingredients to get started with so you can make delicious homemade meals in minutes.
How to Make Tonkatsu Sauce
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe.
- Whisk the ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Serve the sauce with deep fried foods or use it as a sauce for sandwiches. It’s that simple!
Recipes Tips and Variations
I created this recipe to mimic the taste of Bulldog’s classic tonkatsu sauce as closely as possible. Here are a few options to adjust the flavor to your preference:
- Bolder. Add a little more Worcestershire sauce. It’s a complex blend of umami, tangy, sweet and peppery.
- Sweeter. Add more ketchup and a sprinkle of sugar. You could also substitute honey for sugar.
- Vegan. Use vegan Worcestershire sauce instead of the regular type, which contains anchovies.
Storage and Shelf Life
Store this tonkatsu sauce in a jar or other airtight storage container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 months.
To freeze, save the sauce in an airtight storage container and freezer for up to 6 months. It’s best to save the sauce in small batches for easy thawing (overnight in the fridge). The sauce may have separated once thawed so make sure to give it a good stir before using.
If you like this tonkatsu sauce, check out my collection of 15 Popular Homemade Asian Sauces.
Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce
Meet Japan’s version of barbecue sauce! This is a deliciously sweet and smoky Japanese tonkatsu sauce made with just 4 ingredients, and ready in 5 minutes.
- 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
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 in a jar or covered container for up to 3 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
How to Use Tonkatsu Sauce
While tonkatsu sauce is best known as a seasoning for pork cutlets, it pairs well with many dishes, including:
- Chicken katsu
- Tempeh katsu sandwich
- Breaded tofu
- Tofu patties
- Okonomiyaki
- Takoyaki
It’s also commonly served alongside shredded cabbage, rice, and Japanese mustard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tonkatsu sauce is part of a triumvirate of Japanese style sauces. 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 in terms of viscosity.
No. Tonkatsu sauce is not spicy. It’s sweet, tangy, and savory, making it family-friendly and mild enough for all ages.
Yes. Tonkatsu sauce works well as a quick marinade for pork, chicken, fish, or tofu, especially for grilling or pan-frying. Because it contains sugar, it’s best used for short marinating times.
Tonkatsu sauce is fairly easy to find. In bigger cities like New York and Los Angeles, you might be able to find it at regular grocery stores. If not, Asian supermarkets and Japanese grocery stores will have it. Or, you can order tonkatsu sauce online.
They are very similar. Okonomiyaki sauce is usually slightly sweeter and thicker, while tonkatsu sauce has a more savory balance.
Did you like this recipe? Are there changes you made that you would like to share? Share your tips and recommendations in the comments section below!
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! 🙂