Crispy Pork Katsu with Ginger Rice and Sesame Carrots

This pork katsu recipe delivers all the crunch and flavor you crave without the deep fryer. Juicy pork cutlets are coated in a tangy sour cream and panko crust, then pan-fried until golden and crisp. Paired with fragrant ginger rice and sweet roasted carrots tossed with sesame seeds, every bite is a balance of textures and savory-sweet goodness.

A drizzle of warm katsu sauce ties it all together, adding that signature tangy-sweet finish. Whether you’re new to Japanese cooking or a longtime fan, this dish is surprisingly simple to pull off on a weeknight.

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Ingredients

12 ounce CarrotsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 thumb GingerView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit ScallionsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Jasmine RiceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Garlic PowderView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Panko BreadcrumbsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

12 ounce Pork CutletsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon Katsu SauceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Sesame SeedsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Vegetable OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) with a rack in the top position. Trim, peel, and cut carrots diagonally into ½-inch thick pieces. Peel and mince or grate the ginger. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating white and green parts.
2. Toss carrots on a baking sheet with a drizzle of oil, salt, and pepper. Roast on the top rack until tender, 20–25 minutes. Once done, carefully toss with sesame seeds.
3. While carrots roast, heat a drizzle of oil in a small pot over medium-high heat. Add ginger and scallion whites; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in rice and ¾ cup water (1¼ cups for 4 servings). Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until rice is tender, 15–18 minutes. Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.
4. Pat pork cutlets dry with paper towels. In a gallon-size zip-top bag, combine panko, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt (2 teaspoons for 4 servings), and pepper. Place sour cream in a medium bowl; add pork and turn to coat evenly. Transfer coated pork to the bag, seal, and shake until evenly coated. Press with your hands to help panko adhere.
5. Heat a ¼-inch layer of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. When oil shimmers (test with a pinch of panko), add coated pork (discard any loose panko). Cook until golden brown and cooked through, 2–3 minutes per side. For 4 servings, cook in batches. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate.
6. Warm katsu sauce in a small microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds. Fluff rice with a fork; stir in 1 tablespoon butter (2 tablespoons for 4 servings) and season with salt and pepper. Divide rice, pork, and carrots among plates. Drizzle pork with katsu sauce, sprinkle with scallion greens, and serve.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Peeler

OXO Good Grips Swivel PeelerView on AmazonSpring Chef Premium Swivel Vegetable Peeler, Soft Grip Handle and Ultra Sharp Stainless Steel Blades - Perfect Kitchen Peeler For Veggie, Fruit, Potato, Carrot, Apple - BlackView on AmazonFUHUY Vegetable, Apple Peelers for kitchen, Fruit, Carrot, Veggie, Potatoes Peeler, Y-Shaped and I-Shaped Stainless Steel Peelers, with Ergonomic Non-Slip Handle & Sharp Blade, Good Sturdy (2PCS)View on Amazon

Baking sheet

GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Baking Sheet Set, 3 Pack Includes Small (13×9) Medium (15×1) and Large (17×11) Pans Carbon Steel Construction Cookie Sheets Bakeware Set, GrayView on AmazonNutriChef 3-Piece Nonstick Kitchen Oven Baking Pans - Premium & Stylish Non-Stick Steel, Commercial Grade Restaurant Quality Metal Bakeware with Red Silicone Handles - Easy to Clean, NCSBS3SView on AmazonNordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet - USA Made Aluminum Commercial Quality Sheet Pan for Baking or Roasting, Encapsulated Galvanized Steel Rim Prevents Warping, 2-PackView on Amazon

Small pot

SENSARTE Nonstick Saucepan with Lid, 1.5 Quarts Small Pot with Swiss Granite Coating, Stay-cool Handle, Multipurpose Handy Sauce Pot Small Kitchen Cooking Pot, Induction Comptable, PFOA FreeView on AmazonCuisinart 1.5 Quart Sauce Pan with Cover, Stainless Steel Pot with Lid, Small Kitchen Pots, Dishwasher Safe, Compatible with Induction, Electric, Gas Cooktops, Oven Safe Saucepan, Cool Grip HandlesView on AmazonCuisinart 8919-14 Professional Series 1-Quart Saucepan with Cover, Stainless Steel, Mirror FinishView on Amazon

Medium bowl

DOWAN 22 OZ White Ceramic Bowls Set of 4 - Perfect for Soup Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl, Ramen Bowl, Microwave Safe for Oatmeal, Fruit,Salad and Rice Bowl - Dishwasher & Microwave SafeView on AmazonMASTERCOOK Plastic Bowls Set of 6 – 15oz Multipurpose Deep Plates Salad and Pasta Bowls Ideal for Home, Kids, Parties – Stackable Bowl for Kitchen – Non-BPA and Food Grade – Cute ColorsView on AmazonMALACASA 26 OZ Porcelain Soup Bowls Set of 4, White Ceramic Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl for Oatmeal, Fruit, Salad, Ramen and Rice Bowl -Dishwasher & Microwave Safe BowlsView on Amazon

Paper towels

Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 6 Double Rolls = 12 Regular Rolls (108 Sheets Per Roll)View on AmazonAmazon Basics 2-Ply Flex-Sheets Paper Towels, 12 Basics Rolls = 40 Regular Rolls, Everyday Value with 150 Sheets per Roll, Packaging May VaryView on AmazonBounty Quick-Size Paper Towels, White, 8 Family Triple Rolls = 27 Regular RollsView on Amazon

Plastic bag

AmazonShop popular Plastic bag on AmazonView on Amazon

Large pan

SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on AmazonSNOWCLAD Frying Pans Nonstick with Lid,Hybrid Non Stick 5 Quart Saute pan,PFOA Free Cookware,Stainless Steel skillet,12 inch Deep Saute Pan,Dishwasher&Oven Safe,Works on All CooktopsView on Amazon

Small bowl

Kaytee Stoneware Ceramic Pet Hamster Bowl, Brown, 3-InchView on AmazonDipping Bowls, Soy Sauce Dish Ceramic, 3 OZ Small Serving Bowls for Side Dishes Vintage Blue Stylish Design, Set of 6 Mini Appetizer Plates for Condiment Sushi Ketchup BBQ Party, 4 InchView on AmazonFarielyn-X 3.5in 4oz Small Glass Bowls, Mini Glass Containers, Ramekins, Prep, Pinch Bowl, Stackable Condiment Containers, for Prep, Dips, Nuts, Snacks, Candy Meal Prep Bowls, Dessert BowlsView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use chicken instead of pork?

Yes, boneless chicken thighs or breasts work well. Adjust cooking time to ensure chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temperature).

How do I store leftovers?

Store components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the pork in a toaster oven or air fryer to restore crispiness.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs and ensure your katsu sauce is gluten-free. Replace soy sauce in the sauce with tamari if needed.