Easy Katsu Sauce Recipe

Japan’s famous fried chicken or pork would not be the same if not smothered in Katsu sauce, a popular Japanese condiment. Here’s how to make it! 

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Katsu Sauce is a tangy, savory condiment that adds just the right amount of flavor to a crispy, golden brown, fried piece of chicken or pork. It can also be used for many other dishes too! It’s a surprisingly easy recipe to put together and absolutely delicious!

Katsu chicken (a Japanese dish made with chicken breasts) and tonkatsu (made with deep-fried pork cutlet) are both delicious Japanese dishes. Chicken cutlets or pork cutlets are coated in all-purpose flour, dipped in a beaten egg, covered in crispy panko breadcrumbs, and deep fried until crisp and tender (check out my version which is made in the air fryer!). 

While this panko chicken or pork dish is delicious on its own, the true star of the show is the dipping sauce that goes on top–Katsu sauce. 

Katsu sauce is tangy, sweet, sour, and the perfect balance to the mild flavors of fried meat on top of a bowl of rice. Honestly, the meal just would not be the same without it.

The best part about this sweet sauce is once you’ve made it, you may discover how well it pairs with so many other things as well. Dip your chicken nuggets in it, add it to a sandwich, or even add it to some stir fry vegetables! It’s a very versatile condiment that is incredibly popular in Japan.

Authentic Katsu Sauce is made with a complicated mixture of fruits, vegetables and spices, but over the years many chefs have found ways to make it much easier to recreate at home, and that is what I am sharing with you today. Mix up a quick bowl of this sauce, top your favorite crispy pork cutlets, and you’ve got yourself an easy meal.

Recipe Origins

Katsu sauce may go by many names. It is often called a tonkatsu sauce recipe, after the dish it is most commonly served with. Katsu is just a shortened version of the same name for the same tasty sauce.

The sauce is said to have been inspired by Worcestershire sauce and was developed in the early 1900s specifically to add flavor to the Western-inspired katsu chicken and tonkatsu that were becoming very popular in Japanese culture. It is essentially a Japanese Worcestershire sauce or Japanese-style barbecue sauce.

The most popular brand of katsu sauce is Bulldog brand (also called bull-dog sauce or bull-dog tonkatsu sauce) which is made with tomato, onion, carrot, apple, lemon, and prunes that are stewed and strained before being milled with sugar, vinegar, and salt. 

This fruit and vegetable-based Japanese sauce helps balance out the greasiness of the dishes it is served with, but over time it has become a common condiment served alongside several dishes. 

While it can be complicated to make, this recipe shows you how to make this sweet-savory sauce the easy way.

Why Make This Recipe

1. Add Some Flavor: This Easy Katsu Sauce Recipe is sweet, tangy and savory all at once. It’s a delicious pairing for just about any meat.
2. So Simple: Sure, historically katsu was made with a stewed mixture of fruits and vegetables, but this recipe makes it so simple to enjoy this unique sauce at home!
3. Taste of Japan: Katsu Chicken is a very popular dish in Japan but it would not be nearly as popular without the addition of this incredible sauce. If you plan to try your hand at katsu chicken or tonkatsu, you must make this recipe as well!

What Do I Need to Make This Recipe?

This recipe is made with 4 very simple ingredients! You might even have them all on hand already. 

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.

1. Oyster Sauce: You could also use fish sauce or hoisin sauce. If you use hoisin sauce, you may need to use a bit less. You can find this at asian grocery stores or just in the Asian aisle of your standard grocery store. 
2. Granulated Sugar: You could also use brown sugar or honey if you want to avoid sugar. Use more or less to adjust the sweetness.

How to Make This Recipe

Step One (and only): Combine your Ingredients

Mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl. 

Serve with chicken katsu or pork katsu on top of a bed of rice. Doesn’t get any easier than that!

Expert Tips

• Feel free to adjust the amounts of any of the ingredients to your personal taste.
• I’ve seen many recipes that call for adding mayonnaise and as a result they come out to a lighter color. If you feel like the flavor is too strong, you could try adding mayonnaise. But keep in mind that this sauce is usually served on top of a very simple breaded pork cutlet or rice bowl dish. The added fat in mayonnaise may add a nice flavor but it’s not necessary in my opinion. 
• This sauce is meant to go on top of chicken katsu or tonkatsu but it would be delicious on any pork chops or chicken cutlet. It also pairs nicely with green onions.
• My favorite way to serve my Chicken Katsu Recipe is with a side of rice, cabbage salad, and topped with this homemade katsu sauce.  

​Variations

There are so many different ways to make this Easy Katsu Sauce. What I have here is a very basic recipe for the sauce. However, other variations are common as well. Here are some other flavors you can add to your Easy Katsu Sauce Recipe: 

– Garlic Powder

​- Curry Powder

​- Soy sauce

– Sesame seeds

​- Dijon mustard

​- Maple syrup 

– Lemon juice 

– Tomato Paste

FAQs

Did you enjoy this Easy Katsu Sauce recipe? If so, make sure to check out these other recipes I picked out just for you: 

• Yum Yum Sauce
• Chinese Sweet and Sour Sauce
• Easy Tzatziki Sauce
• Jamaican Jerk Sauce