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My easy Yum Yum Sauce recipe is a spin on a Japanese steakhouse sauce, and a must-try the next time you make steak, seafood, chicken, vegetables, or fried rice! It's incredibly creamy, slightly sweet, and zesty. This crave-worthy sauce comes together using simple ingredients in less than 15 minutes!
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Homemade Yum Yum Sauce
I first enjoyed yum yum sauce at a Japanese steakhouse, and knew right away I had to learn how to make it at home. It is truly a crave-worthy sauce you will want to put on everything, from steak and seafood to rice and veggies!
This Japanese steakhouse sauce is a perfect balance of creamy, sweet, slightly spicy, and tangy. If you have ever been to a hibachi restaurant yourself, you have probably had (and asked for more) yum yum sauce!
It is perfect for coating any of your favorite Asian-inspired dishes. I personally love serving homemade yum yum sauce with grilled veggies, seared flank steak, Asian garlic noodles, and especially pork fried rice.
Yum yum sauce goes far beyond what you would expect from a simple mayo-based sauce. The secret is a little bit of tomato paste, which gives it the sharp flavors of tomatoes rounded out with the sweetness and creaminess of the rest of the sauce.
Yum Yum Sauce FAQs
Yum yum sauce is a combination of mayonnaise, water, tomato paste, paprika, sugar, garlic powder, lime, salt, and optional red pepper flakes. It is a simple creamy Japanese steakhouse classic with savory, slightly sweet, and tangy flavor.
Yum yum sauce and spicy mayo are similar, but not quite the same. Typically, spicy mayo is made by mixing mayonnaise and hot sauce together, while yum yum sauce is made with tomato paste and savory seasonings mixed into it.
Yum yum sauce is gluten and grain free, making it a safe sauce for people with gluten allergies and sensitivities. As always, be sure to check each product thoroughly for specific allergy and food handling instructions.
Yum yum sauce is sometimes referred to as shrimp sauce (despite containing no shrimp), white sauce, or yummy sauce. Interestingly, yum yum sauce is not traditionally Japanese, but an American-made sauce served at Japanese steakhouses in America. The name "yum yum" has a simple origin: it's a yummy sauce!
Yum Yum Sauce Ingredients
- Mayonnaise*
- Water
- Tomato paste
- Paprika
- Sugar
- Garlic powder
- Lime juice
- Salt
- Red pepper flakes
Though you can use American mayonnaise to make yum yum sauce, give Japanese Mayonnaise a try. It is a smoother, creamier variety of mayonnaise with a slightly sweeter taste, and is perfect for making this Japanese steakhouse sauce!
How to Make Yum Yum Sauce
- In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade, combine mayonnaise, sugar, water, tomato paste, paprika, sugar, garlic powder, lime juice, salt, and red pepper flakes.
- Process the sauce for up to 1 minute. Refrigerate for a full day before serving for best results. Serve as a dipping sauce or enjoy with your favorite recipes!
Recipe Tips
- Though you can use a whisk for this recipe, I highly recommend using a food processor or high-speed blender. The result is an extra smooth sauce!
- Fresh lime juice is the best way to add the perfect tang to yum yum sauce.
- Feel free to play around with the ratios of this sauce. If you like it a little sweeter, add more sugar. Not spicy enough? Add some extra red pepper flakes or even siracha sauce for a bold kick.
- Always store yum yum sauce in the refrigerator and serve it chilled for best flavor.
Variations
Yum yum sauce has a very smooth, rich texture and it adds just the right sweet, tangy, and savory finishes to so many main course and side dishes! Here are a few variations to fit some different flavor profiles:
- Swap ketchup for tomato paste for a sweeter finish.
- Add your favorite hot sauce (for this recipe I suggest sriracha) for a spicy kick.
- Instead of sugar, add 2 tablespoons of honey to notes of floral and citrus.
- For extra richness, use a Japanese mayonnaise (I suggest Kewpie), which is mayonnaise made from only the egg yolk, giving it a very silky texture.
- Use smoked paprika, especially for grilled foods!
How to Store Yum Yum Sauce
Homemade yum yum sauce can be stored in an airtight, sealed container for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Store bought yum yum sauce does last longer, but it tastes nothing like the homemade version!
I recommend serving yum yum sauce chilled. The cool creaminess of the sauce goes so well with steaming bowls of rice, noodles, and stir-fry!
Can you freeze yum yum sauce?
You can freeze mayonnaise-based sauces, but be aware the freezing process can sometimes separate the contents of the sauce.
If you do freeze yum yum sauce, always date and label the outside of your storage container and whisk it vigorously after it has been thawed. I also like to add a little more salt, lime juice, and pinch of sugar to help reconstitute the sauce.
What to Serve with Yum Yum Sauce
There are so many ways to serve yum yum sauce, from chicken and steak rice bowls to Asian garlic noodles, sautéed vegetables, fish tacos, and even as a dipping sauce for pizza (trust me, it's so good!). Here are some ideas of what to serve with yum yum sauce:
- As a dipping sauce for shrimp
- Along side potstickers (pork dumplings), eggrolls, and crab rangoons
- Grilled chicken, beef, pork, and seafood
- Drizzled over sushi
- Present it as a sauce in a vegetable tray
- Stir-fry sauce
- Pan-seared ahi tuna
More Easy Sauce Recipes
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Homemade Yum Yum Sauce
Equipment
- 1 food processor
- 1 serving bowl
- 1 Spatula
Ingredients
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 lime for juicing
- a pinch of salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients and blend in a food processor. Refrigerate for a full day before serving for best results.2 cups mayonnaise, ¼ cup water, ¼ cup tomato paste, ½ teaspoon paprika, 2 Tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 lime for juicing, a pinch of salt, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Serve as a dipping sauce or enjoy with your favorite recipes!
Notes
- Though you can use a whisk for this recipe, I highly recommend using a food processor or high-speed blender. The result is an extra smooth sauce!
- Fresh lime juice is the best way to add the perfect tang to yum yum sauce.
- Feel free to play around with the ratios of this sauce. If you like it a little sweeter, add more sugar. Not spicy enough? Add some extra red pepper flakes or even siracha sauce for a bold kick.
- Always store yum yum sauce in the refrigerator and serve it chilled for best flavor.
Izzy Justice says
This was so delicious! It was so fast & easy. Although I didn’t have any lime juice or tomato paste, I used lemon juice and ketchup. It still tasted amazing! So glad I don’t have to go out to the store to buy a sauce when I can just make it myself! 🙌
Isabel Laessig says
That's so awesome, Izzy! Thank you for sharing!