My chef’s perfected recipe for Ponzu Sauce, a refreshing citrus-based Japanese condiment used as a dipping sauce, marinade or dressing for vegetables, noodles, salads, or Poke Bowls! Easy to make in 5 minutes, vegan! Gluten-free adaptable!

This Ponzu sauce recipe comes straight from my former restaurant and catering business. As a chef, I’ve come to appreciate its simple yet vibrant flavor! It’s one of those sauces that makes everything a little bit better. Bright, happy, and tangy with real citrus juice, it adds a delicious brightness and savory depth to Asian dishes, giving them a burst of flavor! A five-minute sauce that truly elevates!
What I love about this Ponzu Sauce is how light and low-calorie it is- it’s low in oil, having only a touch of toasted sesame oil for flavor.
What is Ponzu Sauce?
If unfamiliar, Ponzu is a classic Japanese condiment, a citrus and soy-based sauce similar to a vinaigrette or dressing. I like to think of it as a peppy dressing, and it likes to be paired with raw veggies and fish!
We’ve been using this on our Poke bowls in this Avocado Salad , with these Sushi Burritos, and most recently with this Grilled Bok Choy.
What does Ponzu Sauce taste like?
Ponzu sauce tastes bright and citrusy, with a subtle sweetness and umami flavor from soy sauce. It is light, refreshing and flavorful.
What is Ponzu Sauce used for?
Use Ponzu Sauce as a light dressing for Poke bowls or salads. It makes a delicious dipping sauce or use it as a marinade. Spoon it over rice for a little burst of flavor.
Ponzu Recipe Ingredients
- Soy sauce – or substitute, tamari or gluten-free Liquid Amino’s
- Fresh citrus – yuzu is traditional, here we substitute meyer lemon, orange, mandarine or tangerine.
- Mirin – or substitute a mix of honey and water
- Rice wine vinegar
- Toasted Sesame oil
- Garnish with: sesame seeds and optional chili flakes
How to make Ponzu Sauce
It really can’t be any simpler!
- Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl.
- Taste and adjust sweetness (more mirin) or citrus juice to your taste. Some citrus, like oranges, will be sweeter than yuzu- so adjust accordingly.
Ponzu Sauce Serving suggestions
- Use it as a dressing for cold noodles or salads like this Avocado Salad
- Drizzle it over grilled veggies, like this Grilled Bok Choy!
- Use it as a dipping sauce for Sushi or Sushi Burritos
- Spoon it over Poke Bowls
- Use it as a marinade for grilled chicken or shrimp- similar to this
Storing Homemade Ponzu Sauce
Store in a sealed jar for up to 4 days in the fridge (if using fresh juice), or up to 2 weeks if using bottled citrus juice.
Enjoy the simple Ponzu Recipe and let us know how you like it in the comments below!
xoxo
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Ponzu Sauce
- Prep Time: 10
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: ½ cup
- Category: dressing
- Method: stirred
- Cuisine: Japanese
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A simple recipe for Ponzu Sauce, a refreshing citrus-based Japanese condiment used as a dipping sauce or a light, refreshing dressing for vegetables, cold noodles, salads, or Poke Bowls, Simple, delicious and vegan!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce, or GF Liquid aminos
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice (or yuzu)
- 2 tablespoons Mirin (or use 2 teaspoons honey and 1 tablespoon water)
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
- pinch chili flakes
Instructions
Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl.
Taste and adjust sweetness (more mirin) or citrus juice to your taste. Some citrus, like oranges, will be sweeter than yuzu- so adjust accordingly.
Store in a sealed jar for up to 4 days in the fridge (if using fresh juice), or 2 weeks if bottled juice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 29
- Sugar: 2.2 g
- Sodium: 130.9 mg
- Fat: 1.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.7 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Awesome! Love that it is vegan. We used this as a dipping sauce for tempura morels and it was fantastic.
Thanks and glad you enjoyed!
Perfectly balanced and indispensable- so good on almost everything!
This was great! I added a little dash of yuzu along with the fresh squeezed orange juice. It’s amazing how you could really taste the brightness of it, even with such a small amount. Thanks for the recipe!
Awesome Susan! Glad you enjoyed it!