Looking for a great-tasting Katsu sauce recipe that’s super easy to make at home?
Then, you’ll love this Hello Fresh Katsu Sauce recipe.
Also known as Tonkatsu sauce, Katsu sauce is a Japanese-style sweet and tangy barbeque sauce traditionally served with fried pork and chicken cutlets.
Katsu sauce first appeared in Japan during the 19th century when a local chef adapted popular western dishes to reflect Japanese tastes.
Following in his footsteps, I’ve put together a great-tasting Hello Fresh Katsu Sauce recipe with all that rich Japanese flavor that’s easy to make at home.
And you won’t need any special equipment. You can practically whisk together all the ingredients in just a couple of minutes.
However, the secret is letting it rest so the flavors can develop.
One taste, and you’ll be looking to add this sweet and tangy sauce to all your favorite dishes – grilled meats, chicken, seafood, and even hash browns.
So read on for the best Hello Fresh Katsu Sauce recipe this side of the Pacific!
What Do You Need To Make Hello Fresh Katsu Sauce
Ingredients
Fresh Garlic
Intensifies the flavor of the sauce.
For Asian sauces, I prefer to use fresh, but you can use garlic powder to save time.
Fresh Ginger
Ginger is a staple in Asian cooking and gives the sauce a spicy, peppery flavor.
Tomato Paste
The base for this Japanese barbeque sauce.
For a sweeter-tasting sauce, you can substitute ketchup for tomato paste.
Worcestershire Sauce
Adds a depth of flavor and pairs well with the sweetness of the tomato paste.
You can use your favorite brand, but for a truly authentic taste, you’ll want to use a Japanese Worcestershire sauce, like Bull-Dog Sauce.
Soy Sauce
Adds the right balance of saltiness and umami flavor—the darker the soy sauce, the better.
I like to use Kikkoman, but you can use your favorite brand.
Mirin
Is a rice wine that is a common ingredient in Japanese cooking that adds a bit of tang.
If you don’t have mirin, you can use dry cooking sherry.
Honey
Adds a touch of sweetness.
Salt and Pepper
I recommend coarse sea salt and fresh ground black pepper.
Be careful with the salt. Depending on the soy sauce, it’s easy to over-season your sauce.
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Non-reactive mixing bowl
- Whisk
How To Make Hello Fresh Katsu Sauce
Step One: First, peel and mince the fresh garlic and finely chop the fresh ginger.
Step Two: Next, add all the ingredients to a non-reactive mixing bowl.
Step Three: Using your whisk, mix until well blended.
Step Four: Taste your sauce, adjust any of the ingredients, and season with salt and pepper.
Step Five: Allow your katsu sauce to rest for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or in the fridge so the flavors can develop.
TIP: This sauce tastes better the longer it sits. I like to make it the night before to give plenty of time for the flavors to develop.
Step Six: Serve chilled or warm.
Enjoy!
Other Things To Consider When Making Hello Fresh Katsu Sauce
It’s Easy to Customize Your Sauce
This Hello Fresh Katsu Sauce recipe makes an authentic-tasting katsu sauce. But you don’t need to follow the recipe exactly.
For example, you can substitute ketchup for tomato paste for a sweeter-tasting sauce.
Or add a ½ a teaspoon of smoked paprika for a smokier sauce.
Add ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves or allspice for a more exotic flavored katsu sauce.
If you like a tangier barbeque sauce, add a tablespoon of rice or apple cider vinegar.
The bottom line is to play around with the recipe as you discover new and exciting flavors. Who knows? You might like your version better than the original.
What Can I Eat with Hello Fresh Katsu Sauce?
Hello Fresh Katsu sauce is perfect for Japanese-style deep-fried pork or chicken cutlets.
But this versatile sauce tastes so good that you’ll be looking for ways to use it more.
- It makes the perfect Japanese-inspired dipping sauce for all your favorite finger foods.
- Tokyo burgers, anyone? Use it instead of ketchup or traditional barbeque sauce on your next backyard burger.
- Makes a deliciously spicy sandwich spread.
- Goes great with all kinds of pot stickers.
- Perfect for Japanese-style barbeque shrimp kabobs.
- Drizzle it over rice and noodles for a burst of flavor.
- And a personal favorite – serve it with your morning hash browns. Delicious!
Make More Than You Need
This versatile sauce goes with so many of your favorite foods that you’ll want to ensure you always have some on hand.
So go ahead and double (or triple) the recipe.
Hello Fresh Katsu sauce will stay fresh in the fridge for up to a month in an airtight container. Or keep it in the freezer for up to four months.
Hello Fresh Katsu Sauce Recipe
This Hello Fresh Katsu Sauce Recipe provides the perfect sweet and tanginess for a wide variety of foods; grilled meats, chicken, seafood, or even hash browns. It's also the perfect Japanese-inspired dipping sauce for all your favorite finger foods, too!
Ingredients
- 2 cloves of fresh garlic, peeled and minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- ½ cup tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Peel and mince the fresh garlic and grate the fresh ginger.
- In a non-reactive mixing bowl, add the garlic, ginger, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, mirin, and honey.
- Using your whisk, mix the ingredients until they are well blended.
- Taste your sauce and adjust any of the ingredients.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Allow your katsu sauce to rest at room temperature or in the fridge for 30 minutes to develop the flavors.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Mix in a tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds to give your sauce added flavor and texture.
- Add a tablespoon of chopped fresh cilantro for an earthy flavor and a spot of color.
- You can substitute ketchup for tomato paste for a sweeter-tasting katsu sauce.
- If you don't have mirin, you can use dry cooking sherry.
- Add ½ teaspoon of onion powder for a more intense flavor.
- Add a tablespoon of rice vinegar to give your sauce some tang.
- Looking for some heat? Add a pinch (or two) of cayenne pepper.
- A ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves or allspice will give your katsu sauce an exotic flavor.
- Mix in ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika for an intense smoky flavor.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 25Total Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 290mgCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1g
Other sauces from Hello Fresh you may need the recipe for:
- Hello Fresh Sweet Thai Chili Sauce Recipe
- Hello Fresh Curry Sauce Base Recipe
- Hello Fresh Cream Sauce Base Recipe
- Hello Fresh Bulgogi Sauce Recipe
Hello, I’m Jeremy, a sauce enthusiast and taste trailblazer! My endless pursuit of new flavors has led me on a journey to master sauce making at home, along with try out a range of exciting brands and sauce offerings. Now I share my recipes, tips and recommendations on WeWantTheSauce to help fellow foodies find the perfect sauces.