Discover the classic Sweet and Sour Sauce, a staple in Chinese cooking, in just 10 minutes. This easy-to-make sauce, blending soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, and pineapple juice, is perfect for enhancing your stir-fries, marinades, and as a dipping sauce.
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Whether you're cooking sweet and sour chicken, pork, seafood, or looking for the perfect complement to fried chicken dishes or snacks, this homemade sauce brings authentic Chinese flavors to your kitchen. With its versatility and fresh, superior taste, it's an ideal alternative to store-bought sauces for your Asian culinary adventures.
Explore More Chinese Delights:
- Chicken Stir Fry
- Shrimp Stir Fry
- Tofu Stir Fry
- Orange Chicken
- Kung Pao Chicken
- General Tso's Chicken
- Szechuan Shrimp
Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
Preparing Sweet and Sour Sauce is effortless with a few basic ingredients, all of which you can easily find at your local supermarket. Here's what you'll need:
- Pineapple Juice: This adds a subtle sweetness and tropical flair. Alternatively, orange, mango juice,can be used for a different fruity twist.
- Brown Sugar: It imparts richness to the sauce. White sugar is a fine substitute if that's what you have on hand.
- Rice Vinegar: This is essential for the sauce's signature sour note. Regular vinegar works too, offering a similar acidic touch.
- Soy Sauce: It contributes a savory depth. I recommend low-sodium soy sauce for balance, but tamari is a great option for a similar flavor.
- Ketchup: This gives the sauce its tangy taste and a hint of red color.
How to Make Sweet and Sour Sauce at Home?
Ready to bring the vibrant flavors of Sweet and Sour Sauce to your kitchen? Follow along with our easy-to-understand recipe steps, complete with photos and a video guide, to master this classic sauce in no time!
Explore Delectable Asian Condiments:
- Stir Fry Sauce
- Chili Sauce
- Chili Garlic Sauce
- Chili Oil
- Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
- Teriyaki Sauce
- Kung Pao Sauce
- General Tso's Sauce
- Orange Sauce
- Szechuan Sauce
Sweet and Sour Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup Pineapple Juice
- ¼ cup Soy Sauce
- ¼ cup Ketchup
- 3 tbsp Rice Vinegar
- ½ cup Brown Sugar
- ¼ cup Cornstarch Slurry, 1 tbsp starch diluted 4 tbsp water
Instructions
- Begin by heating pineapple juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and ketchup in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir until all the ingredients are well combined.
- In a separate small bowl, create a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with a little water. Gradually add this to the saucepan, stirring continuously.
- Cook the mixture until it thickens, which should take about 1-2 minutes.
- Once the sauce has thickened, remove the saucepan from heat. Your Sweet and Sour Sauce is now ready.
- Serve the sauce as a dipping option for fried chicken, egg rolls, wontons, chicken nuggets, popcorn chicken, or use it in the traditional sweet and sour chicken dish.
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Toiler to Your Needs: To ensure your Sweet and Sour Sauce has the most delicious flavor, start with the ideal balance of ingredients. Feel free to adjust to your taste - add more sugar if you prefer it sweeter, or increase the vinegar and ketchup for extra tang. This way, you can tailor the sauce to perfectly suit your palate.
- Color: The rich red hue of Sweet and Sour Sauce typically comes from ketchup. However, be aware that store-bought versions might use food coloring for added vibrancy.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
Dive into our collection of Asian stir-fry sauces and recipes, where traditional flavors meet modern culinary methods. Enjoy everything from vibrant classic stir-fries to rich, traditional Asian dishes, catering to varied tastes and enhancing your cooking experiences.
Storage Suggestions
Store this Sweet and Sour Sauce in an airtight glass container or a non-reactive container in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness. It will keep well for up to 4 weeks.
Serving Suggestions
Enhance a variety of dishes with your homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce. Ideal for classic sweet and sour chicken, it's also a perfect dip for fried chicken, wings, nuggets, or popcorn chicken. Use it as a marinade for stir-fries, or a basting sauce for chicken, pork, or salmon. It's even a tasty addition to sandwiches, burgers, and hot dogs.
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