Refreshing Homemade Ponzu Sauce

A homemade ponzu sauce with a refreshing citrus flavor, ideal for various dishes.

Craft your own citrus-infused ponzu sauce, a versatile Japanese condiment perfect for enhancing the flavors of various dishes such as grilled meats, seafood, and salads.

Recipe Details

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 day
  • Total Time: 1 day and 5 minutes
  • Servings: 1 cup

Full Ingredient List

  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ½ cup citrus juice (lemon, orange, and grapefruit)
  • Zest from one lemon
  • 2 tablespoons mirin (or 2 teaspoons sugar + 2 tablespoons sake or water)
  • ½ cup katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes)
  • 1 piece kombu (dried kelp, 2 x 3 inches, 6 grams)

Ponzu Sauce

Tools and Equipment

Ingredients

Quantity Name Preparation Notes Substitutions
½ cup Soy sauce
½ cup Citrus juice Use a mix of lemon, orange, and grapefruit juices
From one lemon Lemon zest
2 tablespoons Mirin Can substitute with 2 teaspoons sugar and 2 tablespoons sake or water Sugar, Sake, Water
½ cup Katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) Packed Dried shiitake mushrooms (for vegan/vegetarian)
1 piece (2 x 3 inches, 6 g) Kombu (dried kelp)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Gather all the ingredients: soy sauce, citrus juice, lemon zest, mirin, katsuobushi, and kombu. (Tips: Ensure your workspace is clean to preserve the sauce longer.)
  2. Step 2: Combine all the ingredients in a sterilized mason jar and mix well. (Tips: Mix a combination of citrus juices to your preference.)
  3. Step 3: Steep the mixture in the refrigerator for at least one day, or for up to a week for a richer flavor. (Tips: Some prefer to steep it for up to a month for a deeper taste.)
  4. Step 4: Strain the mixture using a sieve to remove the solids, and transfer the ponzu sauce to a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. (Tips: You can use the leftover kombu and katsuobushi for other recipes, like Furikake.)

Nutritional Information

  • Calories: 220
  • Protein: 13 g
  • Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Sugar: 12 g

Additional Information

Notes: Consider using different combinations of citrus juice to match your preferred flavor.

Background: Ponzu is a traditional Japanese sauce that combines tangy citrus juice with umami-rich ingredients, often used as a dipping sauce or a dressing.

Geographic Region: Japan

Occasion: Japanese dining

Recommended Pairings

  • Sake
  • Green tea
  • Japanese rice

Tags

Japanese Condiment Sauce Citrus Vegan Gluten-free Dairy-free Nut-free Low-fat Umami Savory