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    Home » Recipes » Dressing, Sauces, and Seasoning

    How to make Yum Yum Sauce

    Published: Dec 2, 2021 · Modified: Aug 17, 2023 by seekinggoodeats · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Pinterest pin featuring a white bowl of yum yum sauce and the sauce being drizzled over salmon
    pinterest pin with yum yum sauce being poured over teriyaki salmon

    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.

    A white bowl of light orange yum yum sauce ready for serving
    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
    • Recipe
    • More Asian Inspired Recipes
    • 💬 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

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

    Ingredients needed for making yum yum sauce sitting on a white board

    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.

    Adding the yum yum sauce ingredients to a clear glass bowl

    Stir until blended.

    Stirring the yum yum sauce in a clear glass bowl

    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.

    Drizzling the japanese steakhouse sauce over a piece of salmon in a white bowl.

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

    Ways to use this Easy Yum Yum Sauce Recipe

    This healthy sauce can be used in so many ways! Here are a few ideas:

    • 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

    Here are a few ways you can vary or make substitutions to your Yum Yum Sauce recipe:

    • 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!

    Recipe

    A white bowl of yum yum sauce with a spoon in it for serving.

    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.
    4.89 from 18 votes
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    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    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
    • ⅛ 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

    Notes

    • 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

    © 2023 Seeking Good Eats™

    More Asian Inspired Recipes

    If you are looking for more Asian inspired recipes check these out:

    Asian Sauces

    • Healthy Stir Fry Sauce
    • Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce

    Asian Recipes

    • 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
    • Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice
    • Crock Pot Chicken Curry

    Yum Yum sauce needs only 7 ingredients and 5 minutes to make this delicious healthy copycat Japanese steakhouse, chicken, steak, and shrimp sauce. Made with simple ingredients found in your pantry and it's healthy too! Use on chicken, pork, seafood, beef, vegetables, burgers, fries, and more. Gluten-free, low carb, keto, vegan, vegetarian, and dairy-free.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Margie says

      June 05, 2023 at 10:02 am

      5 stars
      Love this Yum Yum sauce so good and you can use it for all your dipping needs, so good!!

      Reply
      • seekinggoodeats says

        June 05, 2023 at 3:19 pm

        Awww thank you!! Super happy you love the yum yum sauce! 🙂

        Reply

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    Image of Kori Seeking Good Eats Founder

    Hello! I'm Kori and I am a food LOVER. I've had a lifelong passion for cooking and eating (of course)! At some point that catches up with you, right? Older and wiser, I now watch what I eat more closely. What's the hardest and most frustrating part? Finding recipes that are healthy, easy to make, AND taste great.

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