Rich ‘n creamy, with a twist of ketchup and quality Japanese mayo, this flavorful, umami-packed Yum Yum Sauce will have you dipping everything from shrimp and fish to pairing it with veggies and fried rice!
Why You’ll Adore This Recipe
Easy to Make: Just melt butter and let it cool, then whisk the rest of the ingredients together. That’s it!
Delicious Flavor: Creamy, tangy, and flavorful, this yum yum sauce has incredible flavor that you’ll want to put on everything.
Amazing dip for all the food: Fresh-cut veggies, coconut shrimp, garlic butter shrimp, fried rice, salmon bites, burgers, burritos and more!
The Best Yum Yum Sauce
It’s yummy!! Yup, it’s all in the name: yum yum sauce. Today, we’re gonna be making a deliciously creamy, tangy, and oh-so flavorful sauce from Japanese American cuisine. Ever heard of Benihana? The founder, Hiroaki Aoki, is thought to be the creator of the tasty sauce. I guess we’ll never really know either way, but we will be sure of one thing: the homemade version will certainly live up to its name!
What is Yum Yum Sauce?
Yum Yum sauce is a thick and creamy condiment made with mayo, ketchup, rice vinegar and a few seasonings. Originating in Japanese American cuisine, this sauce can be served with meats, veggies, burgers, sushi, and more.
What is in Yum Yum Sauce?
Yum yum sauce is generally made with a base of mayonnaise, ketchup, and rice vinegar. Depending on the recipe creator, the ingredients can vary. For a non-creamy yet indulgent sauce, try my garlic butter sauce.
Homemade Yum Yum Sauce Ingredients
We’re going to learn how to make this sauce with a few of the base recipe ingredients and some tasty seasonings to kick up the flavor.
- Butter – we’ll be using melted butter that’s been cooled just enough to not cause the mayonnaise to separate.
- Mayonnaise – since it’s recommended to use this homemade sauce on Japanese cuisine, let’s make sure we use Japanese mayonnaise for the just-right flavor. I recommend using Kewpie mayonnaise.
- Ketchup
- Mirin – a delicious ingredient that’s used in Japanese cuisine. It’s a rice wine that has a 14% alcohol content and is sweeter than sake.
- Rice vinegar
- Sriracha – we’ll be adding just enough to amp up the flavor of our homemade dip, not to create spice.
- Onion powder – make sure you use onion powder, which is ground up, not dried onion, which is flakes of onion.
How to Make Yum Yum Sauce Easy
Rich, creamy, and flavorful, you’ll want to put this easy sauce on everything. It’s a great balance to foods that need a little extra boost of flavor and richness. Bonus? It takes just a few steps and literally minutes to make it — this is how to make yum yum sauce easy!
- Melt the butter: Melt the butter and allow to cool before starting the next step —this’ll prevent the mayo from separating.
- Make the sauce: Thoroughly whisk in mayonnaise, ketchup, mirin, rice vinegar, sriracha, sugar, and spices.
- Cover and serve: Enjoy this Japanese condiment immediately, or cover and store in the fridge to deepen the flavor. Serve with chicken, meats, veggies, burgers, and burritos!
How Long is Yum Yum Sauce Good For?
If you’re wondering how long yum yum sauce lasts, just know that it lasts longer when sealed in a super airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.
What to Serve With This Sauce
- Seafood: salmon, shrimp, eel, beef, whatever you’d like
- Veggies: cucumbers, blistered green beans, roasted potatoes
- Mains: fried rice, burgers, sushi
- More sauces for a sauce party! Eel sauce, garlic parmesan sauce, tartar sauce, and more.
For more delicious recipe ideas…
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Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️
More Sauce Recipes
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Add butter to a small microwave-safe bowl and melt about 10-20 seconds. Set aside and cool before starting the next step. While you wait, measure the next ingredients.
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Add in the rest of the ingredients: mayonnaise, ketchup, mirin, rice vinegar, sriracha, sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Whisk very well until smooth.
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Cover and store in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight for a deeper flavor. Enjoy!
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