The Most Extensive Ponzu Sauce Substitutes: We Got 23

Ponzu is a Japanese flavor that may be used as a sauce in pan searing vegetables and meat, a marinade, a garnish on top of an Asian main meal, or a dipping sauce for dumplings.

It smells like citrus and has a sourer flavor than soy sauce, with a bland or watery consistency. If you want ponzu sauce but can’t find it in shops, you may settle with condiments that taste similar or create your own.

The following are some of the greatest ponzu sauce substitutes:

1. Lemon juice
2. Soy sauce
3. Soy sauce + orange juice
4. Soy sauce + lemon
5. Soy sauce + vinegar
6. Orange juice
7. Rice vinegar
8. Seaweed
9. Yuzu kosho

The possibilities for this sauce are endless. But first, let’s learn a little bit more about this beloved Asian spice.

23 Best Substitute For Ponzu Sauce

The ingredients used to produce ponzu sauce vary depending on the manufacturer and where they are sourced. The main components of a normal ponzu sauce, on the other hand, are salt, sugar, citrus juice, and soy sauce.

Many additional ingredients have been added to the original ponzu throughout the years, but all varieties have one thing in common: citrus. The sauce may be used on its own or to make foods more acidic.

As a result, some of the greatest ponzu sauce replacements include citrus, such as lemon or orange juice. You may also combine it with other sauces to get something like ponzu sauce.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is rich in acid and has a low pH, so don’t use too much of it as a replacement for ponzu sauce or it will overshadow the other components in your meal. When creating the replacement, you may utilize a 1:1 ratio.

Lemon juice may be used to enhance the tastes of fish and meat meals, beverages, and desserts. It is also healthful and capable of enhancing food shelf life while boosting immunity.

However, if you suffer from migraines or allergies, avoid using or drinking this juice. It contains powerful substances that may cause your system to respond negatively if consumed in greater quantities than suggested.

Soy Sauce

Aside from its flavor, this protein-rich condiment is beneficial to persons with specific health concerns such as hypertension. While its texture differs from that of ponzu sauce, it has the most similar umami flavor.

When mixing marinara sauce, a little quantity of cornflour may be added to make the sauce thicker. When substituting, use a 1:1 ratio, but feel free to add more or less based on your preferences.

Soy Sauce + Orange juice

Although it may seem strange, the mixture works well as a replacement for ponzu sauce. Because orange juice is naturally sweet, it will not taste as sour as when you add citrus or vinegar to soy sauce.

Soy Sauce + Lemon

When you don’t have vinegar on hand or don’t like the smell or flavor of vinegar, you may always substitute lemon juice. Simply combine the juice and soy sauce, then season to taste.

In Japan, yuzu is preferred, although other citrus juices, such as lime, may also be used.

Soy sauce + Vinegar

The 3:1 ratio is advised when employing this combination. However, if you want a greater sour flavor, use extra vinegar.

If you wish to mask the sourness while still using the combination, add a little mirin or sugar. It’s a terrific sauce for dumplings or gyoza, particularly when combined with a few drops of chile oil.

Orange Juice

Orange’s smell and delicious flavor make it an excellent replacement for ponzu sauce. It imparts a strong flavor to biscuits, cakes, and other baked goods.

You may use a teaspoon of orange juice for two drops of ponzu sauce. It is plenty to provide the aroma and citrus taste to anything you are making.

Rice Vinegar

The vinegar in this bottle is created from ripened rice. It is often used as a salad dressing and in rice dishes, soups, and fried foods.

As an alternative to ponzu sauce, use 4 teaspoons rice vinegar.4 teaspoons soy sauce and 3 teaspoons sesame oilWhen replacing ponzu sauce for rice vinegar, use a 1:1 ratio. You may also utilize the 1 + 1 combo.

Seaweed

Ponzu sauce may be replaced with seaweed as a healthier alternative. It is low in fat and calories, and it has a distinct taste.

To improve the flavor of any food, including soups, noodles, and salad greens, add seaweed. The taste of seaweed is not overpowering, so don’t be concerned if you use too much.

However, if you’re using ground seaweed, the suggested substitute ratio is 1:1. If you have a whole seaweed, you may swap 1 or 2 for a teaspoon of ponzu sauce.

Yuzu Kosho

Yuzu is one of Japan’s most popular citrus fruits. Aside from the flavor, many people like its exceptional smell.

Yuzu kosho is made by combining green chile with yuzu peel. The end product is a strong citrus or fruity taste that may be used in place of ponzu sauce.

Yuzu kosho may be used as a garnish for foods like Japanese noodles, sushi, and steak. You may also swap a tablespoon of yuzu for two tablespoons of ponzu sauce.

Worcestershire Sauce

This fermented liquid has more components and a stronger flavor than ponzu sauce, yet it’s a decent alternative since the flavor is similar. When you add this condiment to dishes that call for ponzu sauce, you will get the same degree of elegance and taste.

When substituting, you may use a 1:1 ratio, although it is advised that you use less if you are creating a large quantity of a meal.

Sake

Sake, often known as rice wine in Japan, is a popular fermented rice liquor. It may be served hot or cold, making it an excellent replacement for ponzu sauce in meat meals.

It may also be used in stews in the same way that white wine is. In most circumstances, a 1:1 ratio is sufficient to produce the flavors of ponzu sauce, but you may need to alter so that the finished result does not taste too alcoholic.

Mentsuyu

Mentsuyu is a salt, dashi, mirin, sugar, and soy sauce blend. It has a nuanced and rich flavor with just the proper amount of sweetness and spice.

A teaspoon of ponzu sauce may be replaced with two tablespoons of mentsuyu. You might choose to add a little vinegar to sharpen the flavor or water to soften it.

Mentsuyu + fruit vinegar

You can use homemade fruit vinegar for this purpose, such as apple cider or orange vinegar. Combine it with mentuyu and use the combination to replace ponzu sauce.

Mentsuyu + lemon

When using mentsuyu as a replacement for ponzu sauce, you may also add lemon juice. If you want the sauce to be a bit sour, add a little vinegar to the mixture.

Mentsuyu + vinegar

Mentsuyu’s tastes will become more sophisticated and deep with the addition of vinegar. Always add a little bit of vinegar at a time until you obtain the desired flavor for this fantastic ponzu sauce alternative.

Hoisin Sauce

Spices, sugar, vinegar, and fermented soybeans are used to make this famous Chinese condiment. It has a smokey flavor, is somewhat sweet, and is reddish-brown in color.

The sauce may be used to coat grilled vegetables and meat, as a dipping sauce for spring rolls and dumplings, or blended with black bean sauce, chili sauce, or stir-fried foods. It also enhances the tastes of meat, chicken, and fish meals.

Use the equal quantities of hoisin sauce and rice vinegar to replace the ponzu sauce. Stir in the chili paste, sesame oil, and soy sauce. You may also add a little honey to make the sauce sweeter.

Teriyaki Sauce

This sauce is produced with ginger, mirin, sugar, rice vinegar, and soy sauce and is a wonderful substitute for ponzu sauce. It may be used as a salad dressing or a sushi dipping sauce.

The sauce also goes well with grilled meat and stir-fried foods.

Korean BBQ sauce

This BBQ sauce has a somewhat sweet and smokey flavor, making it a great substitute for ponzu sauce. To make it more tasty, add a splash of lemon juice.

This spicy and sweet sauce is produced from sesame oil, garlic, rice vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce.

Tonkatsu Sauce

The sauce is designed for tonkatsu, a popular Japanese meal consisting of a deep-fried breaded pork cutlet. Worcestershire sauce and tomato ketchup are used to make it.

The sauce has a sweet flavor with hints of lemon or vinegar. It goes well with agedashi tofu, chicken karaage, and other meals that call for ponzu sauce.

Fish Sauce

It has just the proper amount of umami and salty. The sauce is produced from fermented fish and will enhance many Asian cuisines and other foods where ponzu sauce is often used.

Shoyu

This is already often added to commercially supplied ponzu sauce to increase its shelf life and stability. It also has a texture comparable to ponzu.

It’s a tasty dipping sauce and marinade. When using it as a replacement for ponzu sauce, you may adjust the sourness by adding lemon juice or vinegar.

Nam prik pla

This Thai condiment consists of fiery chilies, fish sauce, and lime juice. When substituting for ponzu sauce, use more of this sauce than is called for.

Homemade Ponzu Sauce

The advantage of preparing your own ponzu sauce is that you may use ingredients that are easily accessible or those that you want. You may utilize the fundamental sauce components, such as soy sauce, sugar, salt, and citrus juice.

You may also change the flavor by adding drops of sake, mirin, bonito, or kombu. In a pan over medium-low heat, combine all of the ingredients. Allow the sauce to cool before serving once it has been cooked.