Sweet and sour sauce adds instant flavor to any dish that you add it to. Made in 10 minutes with just 5 ingredients, this homemade Chinese sauce is so easy to make at home and so much better than takeout packets. Serve it as a vegan dip with your favorite appetizers or drizzle it over rice, stir fries, or protein to instantly elevate your meal.
Why You'll Love Sweet and Sour Sauce
- It takes minutes to make and lasts for 2 weeks. This sweet and sour sauce is quick and easy to make with just a handful of ingredients (with easy substitutions provided). Plus, you can use it in your cooking for the next 2 weeks! Set aside a little bit of time today, and you'll be thankful for days to come.
- Sweet and sour sauce adds flavor to any dinner. I love drizzling this sweet and sour sauce over steamed rice or over sautéed or stir-fried vegetables. It can also upgrade basic proteins to sweet and sour chicken or sweet and sour pork!
- You can probably make it right now with pantry staples. If you cook often and have a stock of Asian ingredients (particularly soy sauce), then I bet that you have everything you need to make this sweet and sour sauce already. The key ingredients include ketchup, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, and cornstarch.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make this easy homemade sweet and sour sauce, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in the recipe card below):
- ketchup
- soy sauce - or substitute with oyster sauce.
- water - or substitute with chicken broth for a little more flavor.
- brown sugar - or substitute with honey for a refined sugar free option.
- white vinegar - or substitute with apple cider vinegar.
- cornstarch - to help thicken up the sauce.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowl, and a saucepan.
How to Make the Best Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Combine ingredients. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients including ketchup, soy sauce, water (or chicken broth), sugar, vinegar, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Cook the sauce. Transfer the sauce mixture into a saucepan and bring it to a simmer over low heat. Stir constantly and simmer until thickened to a desired consistency, about 5-7 minutes.
- Serve and store. Use the sauce in your favorite Asian dishes such as Sweet and Sour Pork, or use as a dipping sauce. If not using right away, let the sauce cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
How to Use Sweet and Sour Sauce
Sweet and sour sauce it so versatile. Here are my favorite ways that you can use it:
- Dipping sauce. Use it as a dip for Asian appetizers such as Spring Rolls, Dumplings, Egg Rolls, Wontons, or for any appetizer such as French Fries, Chicken Nuggets, Fish Sticks, and Chicken Strips.
- Stir fry sauce. Use it as a sauce in your favorite Chinese stir fries such as Sweet and Sour Pork (or chicken), Sweet and Sour Meatballs, Vegetable Stir Fry, and Tofu Stir Fry.
- Glaze for meat. Drizzle it over grilled meats to add flavor. Try it with Skewers, Short Ribs, Chicken, Salmon, and more.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Making substitutions: If you've never made sweet and sour sauce before, stick to the recipe. But, if you know what you like, then feel free to make adjustments. If you like it sourer, add more vinegar. If you prefer it saltier, use more soy sauce. Is it too sweet? Add less sugar. You get the idea.
- How to thicken: If the sauce is not thickened enough to your liking, just continue to simmer to activate the cornstarch. The longer you simmer the sauce, the more it will thicken as it reduces.
- Use it as a marinade: To use this sauce as a marinade, just leave out the cornstarch and slather it on your meats before cooking.
More Sauce Recipes
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Recipe
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Sweet and sour sauce adds instant flavor to any dish that you add it to. Made in 10 minutes with 5 ingredients, this homemade Chinese sauce is so easy.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ cup water (or chicken broth)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients including ketchup, soy sauce, water (or chicken broth), sugar, vinegar, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Transfer the sauce mixture into a saucepan and bring it to a simmer over low heat. Stir constantly and simmer until thickened to a desired consistency, about 5-7 minutes.
- Use the sauce in your favorite Asian dishes such as Sweet and Sour Pork, or use as a dipping sauce. If not using right away, let the sauce cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Notes
Making substitutions: If you've never made sweet and sour sauce before, stick to the recipe. But, if you know what you like, then feel free to make adjustments. If you like it sourer, add more vinegar. If you prefer it saltier, use more soy sauce. Is it too sweet? Add less sugar. You get the idea.
How to thicken: If the sauce is not thickened enough to your liking, just continue to simmer to activate the cornstarch. The longer you simmer the sauce, the more it will thicken as it reduces.
Use it as a marinade: To use this sauce as a marinade, just leave out the cornstarch and slather it on your meats before cooking.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Dana says
Thank you for sharing this, I made this sauce last week and it was delicious
Igor says
Excellent