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Home » Condiment » Sweet and Sour Sauce

Published: Jan 7, 2018 · Modified: Jun 7, 2020 by Lisa Johnson

Sweet and Sour Sauce

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small white bowl filled with sweet and sour sauce sitting on a natural mesh placemat

It is no secret that I love dipping my food. Chicken Tenders into Homemade Ranch Dressing, and Crab Rangoons into Sweet and Sour Sauce. Unfortunately the Sweet and Sauce Sauce that you find in the grocery store aisle is sickly sweet and dyed red with artificial color! This version is closer to a traditional Sweet and Sour Sauce and does not contain corn syrup or coloring…..

Sweet and Sour Sauce is the perfect addition to your favorite appetizers! Not too sweet, and not too sour...it's just right © COOKING WITH CURLS

It is not too sweet, and not too sour…..it is just right! This has been our family’s go-to Sweet and Sour Sauce for almost 15 years now, so it is kid and dinner party guest approved. 😉

This Sweet and Sour Sauce is perfect for dipping Pork Wontons and Crab Rangoons! © COOKING WITH CURLS

How to make Sweet and Sour Sauce:

Place vinegar, sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Cook stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves…..

Sweet and Sour Sauce ketchup and vinegar in a saucepan © COOKING WITH CURLS

Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl, and add it to the saucepan…..

Sweet and Sour Sauce add the cornstarch mixture © COOKING WITH CURLS

Continue stirring until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and add the pineapple juice…..

Sweet and Sour Sauce add the pineapple juice © COOKING WITH CURLS

Serve with your favorite appetizers, like these Crispy Pork Wontons…..

This traditional Sweet and Sour Sauce is delicious served with your favorite appetizers! © COOKING WITH CURLS

I got tired of eating salads and decided to get a jump on Chinese New Year!! 😉

Notes:

  • This recipe can easily be doubled or halved based on your needs.
  • This sauce has a nice balance of sweet to sour. If you would like it sweeter, add more sugar. For more sour/tangy flavor add more vinegar.
  • If you do not have cornstarch, do not substitute arrowroot powder. It will turn into a gummy/gooey sauce. It will still taste good, but it is not as appetizing…trust me.

More delicious recipes from our Christmas dinner this year:

I know, we’re a bit nuts around here. 🙂 We also had Mongolian Beef.

My all-time favorite Mongolian Beef recipe with thinly sliced sirloin, tangy Asian sauce, and sweet caramelized onions will beat out any restaurant meal | cookingwithcurls.com

Fried Rice.

Fried Rice | cookingwithcurls.com

the Pork Wontons that are seen above, Orange Chicken, and Almond Cookies for dessert.

Almond Cookies on a plate © COOKING WITH CURLS

I guess you can say that our Christmas dinner was crazy and productive. 😉

Enjoy!!

This traditional Sweet and Sour Sauce is delicious served with your favorite appetizers! © COOKING WITH CURLS

Sweet and Sour Sauce

This has been our family's go-to Sweet and Sour Sauce for almost 15 years now, so it is kid and dinner party guest approved!
5 from 1 vote
Print
Course: Condiment
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 73kcal
Author: Lisa Johnson

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons all-natural ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 4 Tablespoons water
  • 2 Tablespoons pineapple juice

Instructions

  • Place vinegar, sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Cook stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves.
  • Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl, and add it to the saucepan.
  • Continue stirring until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and add the pineapple juice.
  • Serve with your favorite appetizers, like these Crispy Pork Wontons or Crab Rangoons.

Notes

  • This recipe can easily be doubled or halved based on your needs. 
  • This Sweet and Sour Sauce has a nice balance of sweet to sour. If you would like it sweeter, add more sugar. For more sour/tangy flavor add more vinegar.
  • If you do not have cornstarch, do not substitute arrowroot powder. It will turn into a gummy/gooey sauce. It will still taste good, but it is not as appetizing…trust me.

Nutrition

Calories: 73kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 38mg | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Previous Post: « Arugula Salad with Fennel and Blood Oranges
Next Post: Crispy Pork Wontons »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julie @ Back To My Southern Roots says

    January 14, 2018 at 7:12 pm

    I had no idea sweet and sour sauce was so easy to make! I love the stuff. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
  2. Janice says

    July 28, 2018 at 7:45 am

    Is it pineapple juice or orange juice. One listed in list of ingredients and one in the instructions.

    Reply
    • Lisa Johnson says

      July 29, 2018 at 9:17 pm

      It is pineapple juice, Janice. So sorry about the confusion. 🙂

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Lisa - Welcome to my kitchen! I have a passion for good food and love sharing my creations with friends, family and everyone that loves a homecooked meal. This is where I share my favorite recipes with step-by-step instructions as well as tips and tricks to help you make these delicious recipes in your home.

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