Lechon sauce, also called sarsa ng lechon, is a popular condiment traditionally served with fried, grilled, or roasted foods, especially roasted pig (lechon). Learn how to make this homemade version using liver spread or pâté.
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What is lechon sauce?
Lechon sauce is traditionally made with grilled pork liver, vinegar, sugar, bread crumbs, and aromatics. It has a thick consistency with a sweet and savory flavor. Like banana ketchup, it has become a pantry staple in many Filipino households.
Mang Tomas is a popular brand of lechon sauce, labeled as an all-purpose sauce or sarsa. It has been around for several decades and has gained widespread popularity among Filipinos for its distinct flavor.
The name Mang Tomas has become nearly interchangeable with lechon sauce, with many people using the two terms synonymously. Although the original recipe used liver as one of its primary ingredients, some variations nowadays no longer include liver.
How to make lechon sauce
Making a homemade version using liver spread or pâté is easy, convenient, and far more delicious than store-bought alternatives.
Step 1: Sauté the aromatics
In a saucepan, sauté 1 onion in about 2 tablespoons of neutral oil until softened over medium heat. Add 4 garlic cloves and sauté just before it turns brown.
Step 2: Add the rest of ingredients
Add a small (about 2.65 ounces) can of liver spread or pâté, ⅓ cup vinegar, 3 tablespoons sugar, ⅔ cup water, 1 bay leaf, ½ teaspoon kosher salt (use less for table salt), and a generous amount of ground pepper. Mix thoroughly and bring it to a boil, then simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Blend and simmer
Remove the bay leaf and blend until smooth. You can use a blender, food processor, or immersion blender. Let the sauce simmer for another 5 minutes over low heat until slightly thickened. Adjust the sweetness and saltiness to your taste.
Allow it to cool to room temperature. The sauce will thicken as it cools. Refrigerate for up to a week or freeze it for a longer shelf life.
Recipe FAQS
Lechon sauce has a sweet, savory, and slightly tangy taste that many Filipinos love. Its primary ingredient is liver, which provides a savory, umami flavor with an earthy undertone.
The sauce also contains vinegar, which gives it a tangy kick that balances the sweetness of the added sugar. Its consistency is similar to gravy or barbecue sauce, with bread crumbs used to thicken it up.
Lechon sauce is a delicious condiment, but not the healthiest food option. Like most condiments, it has high amounts of sugar and sodium. According to WebMD, it can be detrimental to one's health if consumed excessively.
Liver is a highly nutritious food; however, it should be consumed in moderation to avoid potential adverse effects. Bottled versions of lechon sauce are generally not considered healthy either, as they are high in sodium, sugar, and preservatives.
A serving of Mang Tomas all-purpose sauce (2 tablespoons) contains 230 milligrams of sodium and 6 grams of sugar. As with most foods, lechon sauce should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Lechon sauce is usually available in Filipino or Asian grocery stores, specialty food stores, and online retailers. Some popular brands are Mang Tomas, Mama Sita's, and Andok's.
Homemade lechon sauce can be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for a longer shelf life. Bottled versions, such as Mang Tomas, should be stored similarly to ketchup.
Keep unopened bottles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Once opened, store the sauce in the refrigerator and use it within a few months.
Explore ways to use your lechon sauce
Although lechon sauce was originally intended as a condiment for lechon (roasted pig), it has become a versatile sauce complementing a variety of dishes. Here are our favorites:
- Fried foods: Lechon sauce complements the savory and crispy texture of fried foods like Lechon Kawali, Lumpiang Shanghai, fried fish, and fried chicken.
- Grilled or roasted foods: Lechon Belly, Lechon Manok, Inihaw na Manok, and Inihaw na Liempo are some examples that go well with lechon sauce.
- Silog breakfasts: Lechon sauce goes well with some silog breakfasts with Sinangag, itlog, and proteins such as fried bangus, chicken, or pork belly.
- Lechon Paksiw: A stew that includes leftover Lechon, Cebuchon, or Lechon Kawali simmered in vinegar, lechon sauce, and aromatics.
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📖 Recipe
How to Make Lechon Sauce
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Blender, food processor, or immersion blender
Ingredients
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 4 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 (2.65-ounce can) liver spread or pâté
- ⅓ cup white or cane vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar sub: granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup water
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (use less for table salt) adjust to taste
- Ground pepper to taste
- Neutral oil for sautéing
Instructions
- In a saucepan, sauté onions in about 2 tablespoons of neutral oil until softened over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté just before it turns brown.
- Add the liver spread or pate, vinegar, sugar, ½ cup water, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Bring it to a boil, then simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf and blend until smooth. You can use a blender, food processor, or immersion blender.
- Let the sauce simmer for another 5 minutes over low heat until slightly thickened.
- Adjust the sweetness and saltiness of the sauce to your taste.
- Allow it to cool to room temperature. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
Marie says
Wow, I didn’t realize it was that easy to replicate Mang Tomas at home.
Nora Rey says
Absolutely! Making your own Mang Tomas at home is super easy, and the best part is you don't even need fresh liver – canned liver spread works just as well!