Do You Yuzu? Amazing Yuzu Recipes Made With Japanese Citrus

What is yuzu and what does it taste like?

Yuzu is a yellow citrus fruit grown in Japan, Korea and China. Fresh yuzu fruit is very fragrant, with an almost floral scent. Similar in size to a tangerine, yuzu has a thicker rind than lemon. Yuzu also has a more intense, acidic and sour flavour, a bit like a a mixture of grapefruit, lemon and orange.

When cutting fresh yuzu, you’ll notice that it has yellow flesh with lots of large seeds. You can use both yuzu zest and juice to add wonderful flavour to a range of dishes.

Can’t find fresh yuzu fruit?

Unless you are lucky enough to grow your own yuzu, or live in South East Asia where they are grown, it can be hard to source fresh yuzu fruit. Some US and Australian growers now cultivate yuzu, making it more accessible. Try your local speciality Japanese store or Asian grocer. There are also some online sellers who supply fresh fruit seasonally, depending on import restrictions in your state.

If you can’t find fresh fruit, it’s easy to find bottled yuzu juice and other yuzu ingredients like yuzu kosho paste and yuzu jam online.

Yuzu juice can seem expensive to buy, but it has a very concentrated flavour – a little will go a long way to add flavour to your dishes.

If you can’t find yuzu at all, it is possible to substitute other citrus (such a a combination of orange and lemon or lime juice)

Here are some of our favourite yuzu recipes, from cocktails to sauces, Japanese inspired main courses and delicious citrus desserts.

Yuzu drinks and cocktails

Yuzu juice is popular with bar tenders and home cocktail makers alike. It’s acidic tang and fragrant aroma adds that extra something to refreshing drinks and cocktails.

Immune Boosting Yuzu Juice

Enjoy the unique flavour of yuzu in this delicious yuzu juice blend. It combines pineapple, tangerine, grapefruit, apple, lime and yuzu juice in a sweet and citrusy drink. This refreshing juice is not only nutritious, but full of amazing flavour.

Blueberry Yuzu Bee’s Knees Cocktail

A fun twist on the classic recipe, this delicious blueberry yuzu bee’s knees cocktail is sure to impress. Make this delicious cocktail by mixing muddled blueberries, gin, fresh yuzu and lemon juices, honey simple syrup, fresh mint and ice. Shake, stir and strain into a cold martini or coupe glass and enjoy.

Sauces and condiments with yuzu

Like other citrus, yuzu juice adds a brightness to sauces and dressings,

Yuzu Ponzu Sauce

Make your own delicious yuzu ponzu sauce in around 15 minutes with this easy recipe. This Japanese sauce has a a smoky, umami flavour that makes a delicious marinade or dipping sauce. It combines the bright citrus flavour of yuzu juice with the salty, smoky flavour of soy sauce and katsuobushi (or bonito flakes).

Creamy Yuzu Aioli (Yuzu Mayo Sauce)

Quick and easy to make, this creamy yuzu aioli is made using a homemade vegan mayo and yuzu juice. For more depth of flavour, this recipe has an option to add yuzu kosho (Japanese fermented chili paste with yuzu zest and yuzu juice).

Cranberry Yuzu Sauce

Cranberry sauce is a holiday staple. For a modern twist, you’ll love this cranberry yuzu sauce made from fresh cranberries paired with yuzu citrus juice and marmalade.

Yuzu recipes for fish

The unique citrus flavour of yuzu pairs perfectly with fish and seafood. It’s the ideal match for different types of fish in these yuzu recipes for sashimi.

Salmon Sashimi with Yuzu and Soy Sauce

If you love sushi and sashimi, you’ll love this salmon sashimi with yuzu and soy sauce. Thinly sliced sushi-grade salmon is paired with soy sauce and tangy yuzu, topped with sliced avocado, Serrano chilis and toasted sesame seeds.

Hamachi Crudo (Yellowtail Carpaccio)

Another delicious sashimi dish with yuzu is this Hamachi Crudo, or yellowtail sashimi, The tender sashimi in this appetizer is dressed with a citrusy yuzu ponzu sauce and topped with fresh jalapeño and salmon roe. This impressive dish has beautiful flavours and is surprisingly quick and easy to make.

Tuna Sashimi with Yuzu Dressing and Baby Coriander

Citrus is the star of this tuna sashimi with yuzu dressing and baby coriander by chef Sarah French. The yuzu-based dressing enhances the natural flavour of the fresh tuna in this simple but delicious sashimi appetiser.

Scallop Crudo with Yuzu, Basil and Lime

Another recipe that showcases yuzu and seafood is this scallop crudo with yuzu, basil and lime. Dress thinly slices raw scallops with a simple sauce of yuzu kosho, lime and Thai basil. This refreshing summer dish is bursting with fresh flavour.

More savoury yuzu recipes

Beef Tartare with Watermelon, Yuzu and Egg Yolk

Yuzu adds wonderful flavour to this beef tartare with watermelon by chef Georgio Rapicavoli. This take on the famous French appetiser combines yuzu juice and togarashi, a Japanese chili seasoning.

Sweet Yuzu Recipes

Despite it’s slightly sour taste, yuzu – like lemon – adds a refreshing citrus burst to desserts and sweet dishes.

Matcha Cake Recipe (Green Tea)

Yuzu marmalade filling adds amazing citrus flavour to this stunning green matcha cake. Matcha tea flavoured sponge cake layers are filled with yuzu jam and decorated with lightly sweetened whipped cream.  The colours and flavours of this cake are unique and delicious.

More citrus recipes and inspiration

Love cooking with citrus? For more citrus recipe roundups, you’ll love our collections of orange salads, grapefruit salads. and citrus fruit salads.

And our recipe pages has more ideas for cooking with all different types of citrus. You’ll find everything from Greek lemon rice pilaf to blood orange loaf cake and homemade lime marmalade.

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