When cravings hit this is the Best Homemade Dipping Sauce you’ll ever taste! This is one condiment that is so versatile and so delicious. And, when it was a French Fry or Jalepeno Popper kind of night, I had panicked when I discovered I had no more Yum Yum Sauce. So, I told my husband to not worry I will make some up in a jiffy.
Now, you can indulge in the Best Homemade Dipping Sauce. Just like renowned Japanese steakhouse sauce, also called “Yum Yum Sauce”; perfect for dipping, drizzling, the perfect pairing for Jalapeno Cream Cheese Poppers and enhancing your grilled meats, seafood, veggies, rice, noodles, and beyond! Furthermore, crafting this homemade Yum Yum Sauce is a breeze, offering a flavor that surpasses store-bought versions by leaps and bounds, all without any unwanted additives! Moreover, here’s two recipes to make the Yum Yum Sauce fast and easy.
What’s another name for the Best Homemade Dipping Sauce?
WHITE SAUCE, Yum Yum Sauce (also known as White Sauce, Sakura Sauce, or Japanese Steakhouse Shrimp Sauce) has been commonly found in Japanese steakhouses for years. More recently, people have started to notice this sauce appearing in sushi restaurants as well.
Years ago I only knew the sauce as just Fry Sauce which I procured from my local Fred Meyer had it available in it’s service deli, when I would visit to quench my craving for Jalapeno Cream Cheese Poppers. I didn’t normally eat at Japanese eateries, so I never encountered this special sauce. Later, at a Thai Restaurant, I had found their salad dressing that was very similar too and quite delicious.
Since moving to Houston, Texas, one of our favorite places to go for date night is our local Japanese steakhouse for a hibachi grill dinner. My husband usually gets his standard, teriyaki grilled chicken and shrimp and rice, while I enjoy sampling the sushi, grilled short-ribs, stir-fry vegetables, and noodles….all drizzled with the deservedly popular sweet and slightly tangy Japanese steakhouse sauce known affectionately as “Yum Yum Sauce.” Here’s my homemade yum yum sauce that captures the flavor you know and love! And as with most condiments, you can buy this sauce in the store but let me tell you, NOTHING beats the flavor of homemade!
The Best Homemade Dipping Sauce Ingredients
This simple sauce is made with what you probably already have in your pantry. This is a sweet and tangy dipping sauce made with the following ingredients:
- Mayonnaise – this is the base ingredient that provides the foundational creamy flavor.
- Rice vinegar – adds a nice bit of tang.
- Ketchup – adds a touch of fruity sweetness and color.
- Mirin – adds a sweet and tangy complexity.
The Mae Ploy brand Sweet Chili Sauce has the perfect blend of a wonderful roasted garlicky sweet spicy sauce. You will find it in most groceries stores and Asian Markets. The sauce is versatile, working well with Lumpia, Shanghai Lumpia, egg rolls, chicken, pork chops, fish, and hamburgers, and the heat level is just right.
Can This Be Made in Advance?
Absolutely, in fact it’s recommended for the best flavor. At minimum it should be made 2 hours in advance but a day in advance is better. Yum Yum Sauce will keep for up to a week in the fridge.
Variations
- Smoky Flavor: For a deeper, smoky taste, mix in a generous pinch of smoked paprika.
- Spicy Kick: To turn up the heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a splash of your favorite hot sauce.
- Deeper Red Hue: If you’re aiming for a richer red shade, just add a bit more ketchup and/or paprika. This dipping sauce is usually a pale pink color (it’s even called “white sauce” sometimes).
Best Homemade Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Sweet Chili Sauce (Mae Ploy is the brand I use)
- 1 tbsp Ketchup
- 2 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon mirin (optional)
Dressing
- Mayonnaise
- Sweet Chili Sauce
- 2 teaspoons Rice Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Ponzu
- 1 teaspoon Fish Sauce
Instructions
Place all of the ingredients in a small bowl, stir to thoroughly combine, cover and chill for at least 2 hours before using. For best flavor results let it chill overnight to give the flavors more time to meld. That’s it! It’s ready to serve and I’m confident you’ll agree that it rivals your favorite hibachi restaurant yum yum sauce!
NOTES
- For the Best Results: Cover and chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Preferably overnight for best flavor results.
- Store in an airtight jar in the fridge and it will keep for up to a week.
How to Use the the Best Homemade Dipping Sauce
This sauce is extremely versatile and the flavors pair will a wide variety of foods. It’s excellent as a base for any recipe. It’s similar to what’s known in the U.S. as “Fry Sauce” (mayonnaise and ketchup) but with additional ingredients that give it a far more interesting flavor. You could consider it fry sauce on flavor steroids! Here are a few ways to use the Best Homemade Dipping Sauce:
- As a dip for shrimp, crab cakes, or fish cakes
- Drizzled over fried rice or noodles
- Paired with grilled chicken, meat, or seafood
- Served alongside fried green tomatoes
- Spread on burgers or hot dogs
- With French fries, sweet potato fries, baked potatoes, or wedges
- As a dipping sauce for potstickers or wontons
- As a tasty veggie dip
- Alongside sushi or rice balls
- Mixed into macaroni salad or potato salad
- As a creamy salad dressing (just thin with a tablespoon or two of milk)
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