Easy Yum Yum Sauce Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (2024)

Published: · Modified: by seekinggoodeats · This post may contain affiliate links

Jump to RecipeJump to Video

This Yum Yum Sauce Recipe needs only 7 ingredients and 5 minutes! You'll have this delicious healthy copycat Japanese steak, chicken, and shrimp sauce in not time - all with simple common ingredients found in your pantry! Use on fried rice, chicken, pork, seafood, beef, vegetables, burgers, fries, and more.

Easy Yum Yum Sauce Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (1)
Jump to:
  • WATCH: Yum Yum Sauce Recipe
  • Why You'll Love This Easy Yum Yum Sauce Recipe
  • What Is Yum Yum Sauce?
  • Yum Yum Sauce Ingredients
  • How To Make Yum Yum Sauce
  • Ways To Use This Easy Yum Yum Sauce Recipe
  • Yum Yum Sauce Recipe Easy Variations
  • Homemade Yum Yum Sauce Top Tips
  • Yum Yum Sauce Recipe Easy FAQs
  • Homemade Yum Yum Sauce
  • More Recipes You'll Love
  • Comments

WATCH: Yum Yum Sauce Recipe

Why You'll Love This Easy Yum Yum Sauce Recipe

"This is the tasty light orange colored sauce you see served at Japanese steakhouse restaurants. You'll be happy to know this is SUPER easy to make and it's much healthier (and cheaper) than the store-bought or restaurant versions." 🙂 -Kori

It's quick and simple. This copycat famous Japanese steakhouse sauce is the perfect condiment or dipping sauce that's ready in five minutes. Simply throw the 7 ingredients in a bowl, then mix it up. I know, right? It's that simple. 😉

Inexpensive. My family loves yum yum sauce (although they call it shrimp sauce or that orange sauce)! I tried a couple of store-bought brands, and they tasted good, but I felt like they were overpriced and that I could make it healthier.

Healthy and Sugar Free Yum Yum Sauce

This homemade japanese steak sauce is so much better for you than the store-bought versions. You can feel good about serving your family!

  • Depending upon what type of mayonnaise and ketchup you use, this can easily be made into gluten-free, low carb, vegan, vegetarian, dairy free, and sugar free sauce.
  • Make Sugar Free Yum Yum Sauce: no added sugar is used in this recipe. Use sugar-free ketchup and double-check that your chosen mayo contains no sugars.
  • No dairy is used in this recipe
  • Vegan Yum Yum Sauce: use a vegan-friendly mayonnaise such as Just Mayo, Vegenaise, Hellman's Vegan Mayo, and Chosen Foods Mayo. Double-check the ketchup to make sure it is vegan as well.
  • Keto Yum Yum Sauce: Use a sugar-free ketchup and a keto-approved mayonnaise such as Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayo, Chosen Foods Keto Mayo, Sir Kensington Avocado Oil mayo.

What Is Yum Yum Sauce?

Yum yum sauce is that delicious light orange-colored sauce served with your hibachi-style meats, vegetables, and rice at Japanese steakhouses.

It is mayonnaise-based, creamy, slightly sweet, has a slight tang, and often has a small hint of spicy heat to it. It is also commonly called Japanese steakhouse sauce, sakura sauce, white sauce, or even shrimp sauce.

Yum Yum Sauce Ingredients

Easy Yum Yum Sauce Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (2)

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this recipe:

See the recipe card for exact quantities.

  • Mayonnaise - Use any favorite mayonnaise. Feel free to use any mayonnaise that will work with your dietary requirements (keto, vegan, dairy-free, sugar free, etc)
  • Ketchup - Use any favorite ketchup. Be sure to use sugar-free if following a sugar free diet or keto.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar or Rice Vinegar - Either one of these kinds of vinegar will work great in this recipe. Use what you have on hand.
  • Paprika - Use regular paprika or even smoked paprika to give it a smoky flavor.
  • Garlic Powder
  • Dry Mustard Powder
  • Cayenne Pepper - is used for its spiciness. Reduce or increase to your taste preferences.

How To Make Yum Yum Sauce

Here's how to make this recipe:

For complete instructions, please see the printable recipe card below.

Mix All Ingredients

Add all ingredients to a small bowl.

Easy Yum Yum Sauce Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (3)

Stir until blended.

Easy Yum Yum Sauce Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (4)

Serve and Store

Serve over your favorite Asian recipe - chicken, beef, pork, seafood, stir fry vegetables, and fried rice. The image below features our Salmon Teriyaki Bowl.

Easy Yum Yum Sauce Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (5)

Store in an airtight jar or container in your refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Ways To Use This Easy Yum Yum Sauce Recipe

  • Use it as a sauce on chicken, seafood, beef, and pork.
  • Use it as a condiment over fried rice, stir-fried vegetables, or hibachi vegetables.
  • Use it as a salad dressing.
  • Use it on sandwiches, burgers, and hot dogs.
  • Serve it over your favorite Asian dishes like Teriyaki Salmon Bowl, Salmon Buddha Bowl Recipe, or Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice
  • Makes a great dipping sauce! Dip your vegetables, fries, sweet potatoes fries, onion rings, or tater tots in it - my kid's favorite thing!

Yum Yum Sauce Recipe Easy Variations

  • Adjust any ingredients to your liking.
  • Yum Yum sauce is a little sweet. If you find your sauce not sweet enough (this can happen depending upon the brand of mayo or ketchup you used) then by all means add a small amount (1/2 to 1 teaspoon) of sugar or a granulated sugar substitute until it tastes good to you.
  • This sauce is intended to be mild to accommodate most people. If you like your sauce spicy increase the cayenne.

Homemade Yum Yum Sauce Top Tips

  • Every mayonnaise brand will impart a different flavor to this recipe. Adjust the vinegar and use a tiny bit of sugar (or sugar substitute) as needed to get that balance of tang and sweetness. If the mayo you use is on the sweet side, then you may need a little extra vinegar. If your mayonnaise is tangy, you might want to add a little sugar or substitute to tone it down.
  • Store in a squeeze bottle if desired. If the sauce gets too thick, add a little water until desired consistency is reached.

Yum Yum Sauce Recipe Easy FAQs

What does yum yum sauce taste like?

Yum yum sauce is creamy, slightly sweet, and has a slight tang to it. Some brands and recipes will add a small amount of spicy heat from cayenne or hot sauce. Each brand or recipe will have a slight variation.

What is in yum yum sauce?

The ingredients in this yum yum sauce recipe are mayonnaise, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, mustard powder, and cayenne pepper. This recipe was designed to be quick and easy with ingredients from your pantry.

Other recipes often call for ingredients like tomato paste, sugar, and more vinegar - which is essentially ketchup. We simplified the recipe and used ketchup.

This sauce is creamy because the main ingredient is mayonnaise, or the ingredients to make mayonnaise. Bottle brands use soybean oil, water, corn syrup, egg yolks, and apple cider vinegar - which are the ingredients to make mayonnaise.

Bottled sauces contain additional ingredients such as corn syrup, calcium disodium EDTA, polysorbate 80, sodium benzoate, and potassium sorbate.

How to store yum yum sauce

Store this sauce in an airtight container or a squeeze bottle in your refrigerator.

How long will yum yum sauce keep in a refrigerator?

Store-bought bottled yum yum sauce can keep for months. Because of perishable ingredients (and no preservatives added), homemade yum yum sauce will keep up to 2 weeks if stored in an airtight container.

Is yum yum sauce keto?

Store-bought bottled yum yum sauce is not typically keto due to it's sugar content. This recipe is made keto with sugar free ketchup and a keto-friendly mayonnaise.

If you tried this Yum Yum Sauce, let me know! I'd love for you to come back and give the recipe a star rating and/or a review in the comments! 🙂 Let's stay connected, so please share photos of your creations with me and others on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!

Easy Yum Yum Sauce Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (6)

Homemade Yum Yum Sauce

A homemade, and healthier, copycat japanese steakhouse shrimp sauce made with only 7 simple ingredients and 5 minutes. Use this yummy sauce it as a condiment or dipping sauce for so many things.

4.85 from 19 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save

Author Kori

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Dressing, Sauces, and Seasoning

Cuisine Asian

Servings 8 servings

Calories 193 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise use keto or vegan mayo if desired
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup use sugar free if desired
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • ¾ teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika can also be used)
  • ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.

  • Use or store in an airtight container in your refrigerator for later use. Will keep up to 2 weeks.

Video

Kori's Tips

  • Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
  • SUBSTITUTIONS: For keto yum yum sauce: use keto-friendly mayonnaise such as avocado oil mayonnaise and sugar-free ketchup. For Vegan yum yum sauce: use vegan mayonnaise and ketchup. Use apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar.
  • TOP TIPS: Adjust any ingredient to your liking. Want it spicier? Use more cayenne pepper. Don't like spice, use just a pinch. Want it sweeter, use a little sugar or sugar substitute.
  • SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Use it as a sauce on chicken, seafood, beef, and pork. Use it as a condiment over rice, stir-fried vegetables, or hibachi vegetables. Use it as a salad dressing. Use it on sandwiches, burgers, and hot dogs. Dip your french fries, onion rings, and tater tots in it.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoonsCalories: 193kcalCarbohydrates: 1gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 211mgSugar: 1g

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Mention @seekinggoodeatsofficial or tag #seekinggoodeats!

© 2024 Seeking Good Eats™

More Recipes You'll Love

  • Healthy Stir Fry Sauce
  • Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce
  • Keto Stir Fry with Shrimp (Low Carb Keto Chinese)
  • Mongolian Beef and Broccoli (Low Carb Keto)
  • Fusion Philly Cheesesteak Casserole Recipe - Asian fusion 🙂 Really good!
  • Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken
  • Best Recipe for Fried Rice
  • Crock Pot Chicken Curry
  • Best Recipe for Fried Rice
Easy Yum Yum Sauce Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (2024)

FAQs

What is the yum yum sauce made of? ›

Yum Yum Sauce is made of mayonnaise, ketchup, vinegar, garlic, sugar, paprika and water to thin the sauce out. That's it! It's really just a matter of the right ratios of ingredients to get the flavor you want!

Is yum yum sauce just sriracha mayo? ›

Both spicy mayo and yum yum sauce have a mayonnaise base, but spicy mayo packs a lot more heat than yum yum sauce. Most spicy mayo is made with just two ingredients like the one I share here. Yum yum sauce is sweeter and less spicy as it uses ketchup or tomato paste, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and a little hot sauce.

What is good with yum yum sauce? ›

𝐀𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 Yum Yum sauce also pairs well with hibachi-style. fried rice and stir fried dishes.

What is hibachi sauce made of? ›

Simply combine all the ingredients in a blender: onion, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, dark soy sauce, and black pepper. Pulse until it is to your preferred consistency. And that's it!

What is Boom Boom sauce made of? ›

This sauce is made with mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and spices. What does Boom Boom Sauce taste like? Boom boom sauce is a little spicy, a little sweet, and a little tangy. It is the perfect balance of flavors for your favorite savory dishes like burgers, fries, fried shrimp, and much more!

What is the same as yum yum 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.

Why is yum yum sauce so good? ›

It's nuanced. It's a delightfully creamy blend that balances the sweet with the salty and the spice. You can use it when you're hosting hibachi night at home, dishing it out to your guests as you throw shrimp tails into their pockets and create an ill-advised onion volcano on your stovetop.

What does Terry Ho's yum yum sauce taste like? ›

This sauce is tangy and has a very strong egg flavor. It has a shiny appearance rather than the creamy appearance of the sauce in restaurants.

What is the difference between boom boom and yum yum sauce? ›

Yum yum sauce is a mild sauce made from mayo, ketchup and garlic powder. But, Boom Boom sauce has bolder flavors – it's sweeter, spicier, and more garlicky!

What is Yum Yum slang for? ›

(ˈjʌmɪ ) slang. exclamation. 1. Also: yum-yum. an exclamation indicating pleasure or delight, as in anticipation of delicious food.

Do you refrigerate yum yum sauce? ›

Yum yum sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

What do hibachi chefs squirt on rice? ›

The squirt bottles are sesame oil, soy sauce, and Japanese barbecue sauce (like Mr. Yoshido brand or the brand name “Japanese Barbecue Sauce”). The enormous mountain of butter is homemade garlic butter made with a garlic paste and kosher salt.

Is Yum Yum Sauce Japanese or Chinese? ›

Yum Yum Sauce: The Making Of An American Condiment : The Salt Japanese steakhouses often serve a creamy orange-pink sauce alongside a steaming meal. Online, fans obsess over hacking the recipe for this "Japanese classic," but its roots are firmly American.

What makes a Yum Yum? ›

If you've not had a yum yum before, it's basically a croissant, deep-fried and then drenched in icing. And the ones you bought from the shops may have been the most delicious things in the world – until now. Thankfully (or dangerously), this particular method is so very easy.

Why do they call it yum yum sauce? ›

Japanese steakhouses often serve a creamy orange-pink sauce alongside a steaming meal. The popularity and intrigue around the sauce led one teppanyaki restaurant owner, Terry Ho, to start bottling it in bulk under the name Yum Yum Sauce. The scene is a familiar one.

Why is Yumm sauce so good? ›

With an umami flavor described as tangy and savory, Yumm! Sauce is made with a base of healthful ingredients like almonds, garbanzo beans, garlic, and lemon juice.

Does Yum Yum sauce have raw egg? ›

The majority of yum yum sauce, including my recipe, has mayonnaise, which is made with raw egg.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jeremiah Abshire

Last Updated:

Views: 6247

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jeremiah Abshire

Birthday: 1993-09-14

Address: Apt. 425 92748 Jannie Centers, Port Nikitaville, VT 82110

Phone: +8096210939894

Job: Lead Healthcare Manager

Hobby: Watching movies, Watching movies, Knapping, LARPing, Coffee roasting, Lacemaking, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.