Make your own Tonkatsu Sauce to enjoy Tonkatsu even more deliciously. You don't have to buy it at the store; you can easily and quickly prepare it at home, and it tastes delicious.
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What is Tonkatsu Sauce?
Tonkatsu Sauce is a condiment that adds richness and sweetness to enhance the flavor of Tonkatsu. Broadly speaking, it is classified as a type of Worcestershire sauce and is known for its slightly sweet and viscous texture, giving it a thick consistency. In Japan, it is also used in fried dishes other than tonkatsu and as a secret ingredient in various recipes.
Commercial tonkatsu sauces often contain a variety of vegetables, fruits, and spices. However, when making tonkatsu sauce at home, the primary ingredients typically include sesame seeds, ketchup, and Japanese Worcestershire sauce. This results in a flavor similar to that found in Japanese tonkatsu restaurants, so I encourage you to give it a try.
Here's the recipe for "Tonkatsu."
Key ingredients
To make delicious tonkatsu sauce at home, you should use ground sesame seeds. However, depending on where you live, you may not have access to ground sesame seeds. If you don't have them, toast fresh sesame seeds and then grind them. After that, mix the sesame seeds with the other ingredients, and you'll have a flavorful tonkatsu sauce.
Tools for grinding sesame seeds
To grind sesame seeds, you'll need a mortar and pestle. Do you have one? If not, you can use a food processor. Note that if you have commercially ground sesame seeds, this process is not necessary.
Ingredients
- 4 tsp sesame seeds
- 4 tsp water
- 4 tsp ketchup
- 2 tsp Japanese Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
Step-by-step instructions
🕒 Total 10 mins
If you have ground sesame seeds, start from step 3.
If you are using toasted sesame seeds that have not been ground, you can start from step 2.
Step 1
Put the sesame seeds in a pot or pan and toast them over very low heat. Shake the pot (or pan) constantly to prevent burning until a few sesame seeds start to pop. If you are toasting raw sesame seeds, it should take about 5 minutes. If you are re-toasting sesame seeds that have been previously toasted, it should take about 2 minutes.
Step 2
Grind the toasted sesame seeds with a mortar and pestle. If you don't have one, you can use a food processor as a substitute.
Step 3
Combine all ingredients (sesame seeds, water, ketchup, Japanese Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and soy sauce) in a bowl.
To Store
You can keep it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Tips on how to make
- When toasting sesame seeds, it's best to avoid using a non-stick pan or pot. Sesame seeds are so small that it is almost like heating them in an empty pan or pot, which could potentially lead to the production of harmful substances.
- When toasting sesame seeds, keep the pan over low heat and shake it constantly. This will prevent the sesame seeds from burning.
Recipe Card
Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 tsp sesame seeds
- 4 tsp water
- 4 tsp ketchup
- 2 tsp Japanese Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
Instructions
- Put the sesame seeds in a pot or pan and toast them over very low heat. Shake the pot (or pan) constantly to prevent burning until a few sesame seeds start to pop. If you are toasting raw sesame seeds, it should take about 5 minutes. If you are re-toasting sesame seeds that have been previously toasted, it should take about 2 minutes.
- Grind the toasted sesame seeds with a mortar and pestle. If you don't have one, you can use a food processor as a substitute.
- Combine all ingredients (sesame seeds, water, ketchup, Japanese Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and soy sauce) in a bowl.
Notes
- If you have ground sesame seeds, start from step 3.
- If you are using toasted sesame seeds that have not been ground, you can start from step 2.
- You can keep it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
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