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This easy Ponzu Sauce Recipe combines pantry staples with fresh citrus for a bold, tangy flavor. Itโs perfect for marinades, dipping sauces, and drizzling over veggies, noodles, and seafood.
Megganโs notes
The best cooking happens in your own kitchen, and this Ponzu Sauce Recipe is a perfect example. As a classically-trained chef, I love to combine common pantry ingredients with a burst of fresh citrus for a sauce so good, you wonโt believe you made it yourself.
The beauty of Ponzu is in its versatility. Use it as a marinade for proteins like chicken, beef, or fish to infuse them with a delightful depth of flavor (Seafood fans will love it drizzled over my Ahi Tuna)! You can also try it with cooked veggies โ think Air Fryer Broccoli or Air Fryer Asparagus. It works wonders as a dipping sauce too, whether youโre serving it with crispy Potstickers, dumplings, or a fresh batch of Vietnamese Spring Rolls.
The least common ingredient here is mirin, a sweet Japanese cooking wine. These days, most groceries carry it, and youโll even find it at national retailers. If you canโt find Mirin, or you just donโt want to buy it, substitute 2 tablespoons white wine or rice vinegar + 1 teaspoon sugar.
Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Mirin:ย If you canโt find Mirin (a sweet Japanese cooking wine), substitute 2 tablespoons white wine or rice vinegar + 1 teaspoon sugar.
- Brown sugar: Start with 1 tablespoon and add more to the ponzu sauce to taste, if desired.
- Cayenne pepper:ย Add to taste or omit entirely.
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, lemon juice, lime juice, mirin, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper. Use as a dipping sauce, a marinade, or both.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield:ย This recipe makes about 1 cup Ponzu sauce, enough for 4 servings, ยผ cup (or 2 ounces) each.
- Storage:ย Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer:ย Label, date, and freeze leftover sauce for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- More homemade sauces:ย For more Asian-inspired sauces, discover my easyย homemade Teriyaki glaze, savory Ginger Sauce, Vietnameseย Nuoc Cham, orย Thai Peanut Dressing.
- Make it a meal: Pair this sauce with my Chicken Stir Fry and a side of Air Fryer Broccoli or Air Fryer Asparagus with a plate of Potstickers or Vietnamese Spring Rolls for dippingโdinner, done!
Frequently Asked Questions
Ponzu Sauce is a Japanese condiment made with a combination of soy sauce, citrus juice (like lemon, lime, or yuzu), rice vinegar, and Mirin (a sweet Japanese cooking wine).
Noโwhile both are salty and umami-rich, Ponzu Sauce has a citrusy, tangy kick that soy sauce doesnโt. As a result, itโs lighter, brighter, and more versatile for dressings, marinades, and dipping.
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, homemade Ponzu Sauce can store for up to 4 days. Shake well before each use, as ingredients may settle.
Yes! If you canโt find Mirin (a sweet Japanese cooking wine), substitute 2 tablespoons white wine or rice vinegar + 1 teaspoon sugar.
Put your ponzu to work
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Ponzu Sauce Recipe
Ingredientsย
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons mirin (see note 1)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar packed, plus more to taste (see note 2)
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (see note 3)
Instructionsย
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, lemon juice, lime juice, mirin, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper. Use as a dipping sauce, a marinade, or both.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Mirin: If you canโt find Mirin (a sweet Japanese cooking wine), substitute 2 tablespoons white wine or rice vinegar + 1 teaspoon sugar.
- Brown sugar: Start with 1 tablespoon and add more to the ponzu sauce to taste, if desired.
- Cayenne pepper: Add to taste or omit entirely.
- Yield: This recipe makes about 1 cup Ponzu sauce, enough for 4 servings, ยผ cup (or 2 ounces) each.