Sweet and Sour Sauce is a classic and popular sauce in Chinese cuisine, known for its unique sweet and sour flavor. It is usually made with soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, pineapple juice, and cornstarch.
This homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce is one of the best and easy-to-make sauces that can be prepared in under 10 minutes. It is primarily used as a condiment in stir-fry dishes like sweet and sour chicken, pork, and seafood, or as a dipping sauce for fried chicken dishes, egg rolls, snacks, or marinade for meats.
To make this sauce at home with ease, I've included step-by-step instructions and a detailed video guide. Simply follow along to create a tasty Sweet and Sour Sauce in no time.
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What is Sweet and Sour Sauce?
Sweet and Sour sauce is a staple in Chinese cuisine, known for its balance of sweet and sour flavors. This sauce is typically made with a combination of ingredients such as soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, pineapple juice, and cornstarch. It is commonly used as a dipping sauce for fried chicken dishes, egg rolls, and other snacks, as well as a marinade for meats.
The combination of sweet and tangy flavors makes it a crowd-pleaser and a staple in many Chinese restaurants. The sauce is usually thickened with cornstarch to give it a silky texture and glossy appearance. The balance of sweet and sour flavors can be adjusted to personal preference. Also, you may find some recipes call for mango juice or orange juice instead of pineapple juice for a fruity flavor.
While you can easily find pre-made versions of Sweet and Sour sauce in stores, making it at home can ensure that the ingredients are fresh and the flavor is at its best. Not only that, but it is also one of the best stir fry sauces that makes the best chicken stir fry or vegetable stir fry.
Overall, this sauce is versatile and can enhance the taste of many Chinese recipes and Asian recipes. I hope that this recipe will help you to create a delicious and authentic Chinese takeout-style Sweet and Sour Sauce.
Ingredients and Substitutions
The ingredients you will need to make this Sweet and Sour Sauce are basic and you might have it already in your kitchen. If not, they can easily be obtained from supermarkets and grocery stores nearby. They include:
- Pineapple Juice - Lends a subtle sweetness and a tropical twist to the sauce. You can also use orange juice, mango juice, or similar other juices for a fruity flavor
- Brown Sugar - Brings a sweetness to the recipe. However, white sugar can also be used as a replacement
- Rice Vinegar - Provides a traditional acidic and sour taste to the sauce. Regular vinegar can also be used as an alternative
- Soy Sauce - Gives a savory taste. I prefer using low-sodium soy sauce, though tamari can also be used for similar results
- Ketchup - Delivers the sauce a tangy and sour taste profile and a subtle red hue
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Make Sweet and Sour Sauce at Home?
The recipe that I have shared here is for Sweet and Sour Sauce, a classic Chinese takeout-style sauce. It is made with simple ingredients and can be prepared in just under 10 minutes. This sauce makes the perfect accompaniment as a side sauce, dipping sauce, or as marinade for a variety of dishes.
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.
- Add the ingredients - Begin by heating a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, pineapple juice, and ketchup. Stir the ingredients together until they are fully incorporated
- Mix the slurry - Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to form a slurry. Make sure to mix well, so that there are no lumps
- Stir to thicken - Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the saucepan, while stirring continuously. This will help to thicken the sauce
- Cook the sauce- Cook the sauce for 1-2 minutes until it reaches your desired consistency. Keep occasionally stirring to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan
- Remove and serve - Once the sauce is thickened, remove the pan from heat. Your delicious sweet and sour sauce is now ready to be served
Note: You can adjust the ratio of ingredients to your preference and taste.
Tips
- For the best flavor - using the perfect ratio of ingredients makes the best-tasting sauce. However, you can tailor the flavor profile according to your taste preferences. If you think you need more sourness or sweetness in your recipe, increase sugar for sweetness and vinegar and ketchup for sourness
- Freshness - To ensure long-lasting freshness, always store the sauce in an airtight container. This will keep the sauce good for up to 4 weeks
- Sweet and Sour Chicken - To make the classic Chinese takeout-style sweet and sour chicken, feel free to use this homemade sauce according to the particular recipe instructions
Storage Suggestions
This sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. To make sure it stays fresh and delicious, be sure to store it in an airtight glass container or other non-reactive containers.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy your homemade Sweet and Sour sauce with your favorite dish. This sauce is perfect for making the classic sweet and sour chicken, or as a dipping sauce for fried chicken, fried chicken wings, chicken nuggets, or popcorn chicken. You can also use it as a marinade for stir-fry dishes, or as a baste for chicken, pork, or salmon. It can also be a great addition to sandwiches, burgers, or hot dogs.
Related Recipes
If you're on the hunt for similar sauce recipes, check out our sections dedicated to Chinese recipes, and Asian recipes for more options.
- 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
- Chimichurri Sauce
Sweet and Sour Sauce Recipe Video
I've also shared a detailed video of this Sweet and Sour Sauce recipe that I hope will help you make this classic Chinese takeout-style sauce with ease. You can also find this recipe in story format.
📖 Recipe
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
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add pineapple juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and ketchup
- Mix well until all ingredients are incorporated
- Next, in a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and a small amount of water to form a slurry. Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the saucepan
- Cook the sauce until it thickens, approximately 1-2 minutes
- Once thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat, and your delicious sweet and sour sauce is ready to enjoy
- Serve this Sweet and Sour Sauce as a dipping sauce for fried chicken, egg rolls, wontons, chicken nuggets, popcorn chicken, or to make the classic Chinese sweet and sour chicken
Video
Notes
- For the best flavor - using the perfect ratio of ingredients makes the best-tasting sauce. However, you can tailor the flavor profile according to your taste preferences. If you think you need more sourness or sweetness in your recipe, increase sugar for sweetness and vinegar and ketchup for sourness
- Freshness - To ensure long-lasting freshness, always store the sauce in an airtight container. This will keep the sauce good for up to 4 weeks
- Sweet and Sour Chicken - To make the classic Chinese takeout-style sweet and sour chicken, feel free to use this homemade sauce according to the particular recipe instructions
Nutrition
FAQ
Sweet and Sour Sauce is a popular sauce that is often used in Chinese cuisine. It is made from a combination of sweet and tangy ingredients such as sugar, vinegar, and ketchup, and is commonly served as a dipping sauce or a marinade for dishes like sweet and sour pork or chicken.
Usually, the red color comes from the addition of ketchup, but in store-bought versions, food coloring may be used to enhance the color.
Yes, you can certainly use Sweet and Sour Sauce as a condiment to enhance the flavor of dishes such as sweet and sour chicken or pork, or other recipes. The sauce can be used as a marinade for meat or vegetables before cooking, which will infuse them with its sweet and tangy flavor.
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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