ByDonna Elick
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This Easy Sweet and Sour Sauce has more flavor than you can possibly wrap your mouth around. Make a batch tonight in less than 15 minutes!
Easy Sweet and Sour Sauce
Often referred to as “liquid gold” in my house, this easy and quick sweet and sour sauce has an incredible depth of flavor that most others miss out on.
The secret is the combination of brown sugar and pineapple which adds extra layers and dimension to every bite.
Homemade sauces and dips are so easy to make, and I love knowing exactly what is in each one. Plus, I can swap things out based on preference or what’s in my pantry!
RECIPE VIDEO
Learn how to make sweet and sour sauce by watching the video in this post!
If you enjoy this sweet & sour sauce recipe, you’ll love my tangy pineapple barbecue as well.
Plus, I’ve got plenty more homemade sauces to choose from no matter what you’re craving!
What is in sweet and sour sauce?
The best part about this easy sweet and sour sauce is that it’s made with pantry ingredients you may already have on hand!
- pineapple juice
- granulated and brown sugar
- apple cider vinegar
- ketchup
- soy sauce
- cornstarch and water (for slurry)
It’s also easy to customize sweet & sour sauce if you don’t want to make a special trip to the store!
Replace the pineapple juice with a mixture of orange and lemon juice, and opt for tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce to make it gluten-free.
Don’t have apple cider vinegar? Use rice vinegar or white vinegar instead, with just a little extra sugar.
How do you make sweet and sour sauce?
- Whisk together equal parts water and cornstarch to create a slurry and set aside. This combination helps to thicken the mixture at the end.
- Combine the remaining ingredients in a saucepan on the stove.
- Boil for about 1 minute, then stir in the slurry and simmer for another 5 minutes until thick and shiny.
- Keep a close eye on the sauce, and stir frequently so it doesn’t scald along the bottom of the pan.
Serving Suggestions
We like to pair this quick sweet and sour sauce most often with meatballs or crispy pork, but you can use it for whatever strikes your fancy!
Mix it into a simple stir fry or brush it over grilled chops and shrimp skewers. It’s especially delicious with crab rangoons, potstickers, or my chicken spring rolls.
In fact, you can keep a jar of sweet & sour sauce in the refrigerator and spoon some over a bowl of fried rice for a quick and easy snack!
Quick Sweet and Sour Sauce FAQ
How long does sweet and sour sauce last in the refrigerator?
When kept in a sealed jar or other airtight container, this easy sweet and sour sauce should stay fresh for 2 to 3 weeks.You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Be sure to leave some space at the top of the container in case it expands.
Do I need to reheat it?
That is entirely up to you, though it is perfectly safe to use cold.To reheat it by itself, microwave sweet & sour sauce in bursts or pop it back on the stove until warmed through. Otherwise, combine it with your food and warm everything all at the same time.
Can I double this easy sweet and sour sauce recipe?
Absolutely! Simply multiply the listed amounts according to how much you will need, whether it is double or even quadruple.You will need to use a larger pan or pot for extra big batches, and I recommend storing this quick sweet and sour sauce in several smaller containers instead of one large one.Not only is it better from a food safety standpoint, but you can toss extras in the freezer if you won’t be able to use them before they go bad.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Sauce Recipes
Easy Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce Recipe + Video
Donna Elick
Easy Sweet and Sour Sauce has more flavor than you can possibly wrap your mouth around. Make a batch tonight in less than 15 minutes!
5 stars from 2 reviews
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Condiment, Sauce
Cuisine American, Asian
Method Stovetop
Servings 3 cups
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 6 ounces pineapple juice
- 6 ounces water
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cups apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Instructions
To a small bowl, add 1/4 cup corn starch and 1/4 cup water. Whisk until combined and set aside.
In a medium saucepan over medium high heat, whisk to combine remaining ingredients.
Bring sauce to a boil, cook for one minute, then whisk in cornstarch mixture. Cook until sauce is thick and shiny, about 5 minutes.
Remove pan from heat and set aside until ready to serve, or cool and refrigerate for later use.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 395cal | Carbohydrates: 98g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 717mg | Sugar: 83g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1mg
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Originally published October 2012, updated and republished August 2023
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate linkyour price will remain the sameand The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
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