Tonkatsu Sauce (Paleo, Whole30, Vegan)

A closeup shot of a small blue bowl filled with homemade Tonkatsu Sauce next to a fried Japanese pork cutlet and shaved cabbage.

4.75 from 4 votes

Tonkatsu Sauce (Paleo, Whole30, Vegan)

This healthy homemade Tonkatsu Sauce is made with real food ingredients and and tastes just like store-bought Bulldog sauce! No one will guess that it’s Whole30, paleo, and gluten-free to boot!

Prep Time3

Cook Time5

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: gluten-free, nom nom paleo, nomnompaleo, paleo, soy free, tonkatsu sauce, Whole30

Servings: servings

Author: Michelle Tam

Ingredients

¼ cup coconut aminos
¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 large Medjool dates pitted and chopped into a paste (about 2 tablespoons date paste)
1½ tablespoons tomato paste
½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon Red Boat fish sauce (optional)

Instructions

Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Then, decrease the heat to maintain a simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. The resulting sauce should be reddish brown and the flavors should meld.
Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed with extra vinegar or salt.
Blend until smooth with an immersion blender or in a blender.
Serve with tonkatsu, chicken nuggets, or Cracklin’ Chicken.

Video

Notes

Serving size is one tablespoon.
To make this sauce vegan, leave out the fish sauce.
This easy tonkatsu sauce can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it in an airtight container or an ice cube mold for up to 4 months. If the sauce separates when thawed, just whisk it back together!

Nutrition