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    Home » Sauce » Sweet and Sour Sauce

    Sweet and Sour Sauce

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    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.
    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Make the Best Sweet and Sour Sauce

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    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. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. 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.
    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.
    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    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.
    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    More Sauce Recipes

    • Teriyaki Sauce
    • Marinara Sauce
    • Tahini Sauce
    • Enchilada Sauce
    • Tzatziki Sauce
    • Sweet Chili Sauce

    Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

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    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. | aheadofthyme.com

    Sweet and Sour Sauce


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 2 reviews

    • Author: Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme
    • Total Time: 10 minutes
    • Yield: 1 cup
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
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    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

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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

    Did you make this recipe?

    I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

    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. | aheadofthyme.com
    Sweet and Sour Sauce
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dana says

      February 26, 2023 at 2:01 pm

      Thank you for sharing this, I made this sauce last week and it was delicious

      Reply
    2. Igor says

      February 19, 2022 at 9:23 am

      Excellent

      Reply

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