Easy Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce

Name: Easy Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons ketchup; 2 teaspoons soy sauce; ¼ cup vinegar (I used rice vinegar); ½ cup granulated sugar; ⅔ cup water; 4 teaspoons cornstarch

4.70 from 10 votes

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Give this Easy Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce a try! With just 6 ingredients and 10 minutes, you'll have it ready to enjoy. Say goodbye to store-bought or takeout sauces, this one's the real deal!

Spoon dipping into bowl of sweet and sour sauce.

Add a burst of flavor to your stir-fries, spring rolls, tempura, or rice dishes with this versatile sauce. Its tangy sweetness complements a variety of ingredients, making it a kitchen essential.

Whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply craving your favorite takeout dish at home, this homemade sauce is sure to impress! It adds that extra zing to your dishes, making them totally irresistible.

Looking for more homemade sauce recipes? Try my Homemade Marinara Sauce, Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce, and Homemade Peanut Sauce. Perfect for adding flavor to your favorite dishes!

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🌟 Why you'll love this recipe
🧾 Ingredient notes
📋 Variations
🔪 Instructions
💭 Expert tips
❓Recipe FAQs
🫙 More sauce recipes
Easy Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce

🌟 Why you'll love this recipe

Simple Ingredients: With just a handful of basic pantry staples, you can whip up this delicious sauce in no time.
Quick and Easy: In just 10 minutes, you'll have a flavorful homemade sauce that'll take your dishes to the next level!
Meal Prep-Friendly: Whip up a batch of this sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for later use. It's perfect for quick and easy meal prep throughout the week.
Cost-Effective: Making your own sauce is much more budget-friendly than constantly buying pre-made versions from the store, saving you money in the long run.
Homemade Goodness: Say goodbye to store-bought sauces loaded with preservatives and additives. This homemade version is fresh, flavorful, and oh-so-satisfying!

🧾 Ingredient notes

Ingredients needed to make sweet and sour sauce.

Soy sauce: For a gluten-free version, you can use tamari, which is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce.

Additionally, for a gluten-free and soy-free option, coconut aminos can be used as a substitute.

Vinegar: I like using rice vinegar, but any vinegar you have on hand will do the trick. You can even try apple cider vinegar or white vinegar if that's what you've got in your pantry!

Granulated sugar: Feel free to use your preferred type of sugar, such as brown sugar for a richer flavor, or even maple syrup for a touch of natural sweetness.

Cornstarch: If you want alternatives to cornstarch, you can try tapioca flour, arrowroot flour, or potato starch.

These options work well as thickeners in sauces and can be used as substitutes in this recipe.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

📋 Variations

Spicy Kick Sauce: Add some crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture for a spicy kick.
Garlicky Twist Sauce: Sauté minced garlic in a bit of oil before adding the other ingredients to infuse the sauce with garlic flavor.
Tropical Twist Sauce: Stir in some diced pineapple or pineapple juice for a tropical twist to the sauce.
Vibrant Ginger Sauce: Add freshly grated ginger to the sauce mixture for a vibrant and aromatic flavor.
Citrus Zing Sauce: Add freshly squeezed orange or lemon juice to the sauce for a refreshing citrusy flavor.

🔪 Instructions

A bowl with ketchup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar mixed together.

Step 1. Mix ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar in a bowl.

Step 2. Whisk together the cornstarch and the water in a small bowl.

Sweet and sour sauce in a bowl before cooking.

Step 3. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the sauce bowl and stir until well combined.

Sweet and sour sauce in a bowl after cooking.

Step 4. Cook the mixture in a saucepan over high heat until it just begins to boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until it thickens, stirring occasionally. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool.

💭 Expert tips

Consistency Check: Keep an eye on the consistency of the sauce as it cooks. It should coat the back of a spoon and have a glossy appearance when it's ready.
Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce before finishing cooking. You can add more sugar for sweetness, more vinegar for acidity, or more soy sauce for saltiness.
Cornstarch Slurry: Ensure the cornstarch is fully dissolved in water before adding it to the sauce. This prevents lumps and ensures even thickening.
Stirring: Stir the sauce frequently while it's cooking to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan and to ensure even thickening.
Cooling Period: Allow the sauce to cool slightly before using or storing it. This helps it thicken further and allows the flavors to meld together for a more cohesive taste.

❓Recipe FAQs

What is sweet and sour sauce?

It is a popular condiment known for its blend of sweet and tangy flavors, typically made by combining sugar, vinegar, and a thickener.

It's used for dipping, drizzling, and cooking in various dishes, particularly in Chinese cuisine.

Making your own is easy, tastes better than store-bought versions, and is free of preservatives and artificial ingredients commonly found in commercial varieties.

How long does it last in the fridge?

It typically lasts for about 1 to 2 weeks when stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

However, it's important to check for any signs of spoilage, such as changes in color, texture, or odor, before consuming.

If you notice any unusual changes, it's best to discard the sauce to avoid foodborne illness.

Can I freeze it for later use?

Yes, you can freeze it for later use. It's best to store it in an airtight container or freezer bag to prevent freezer burn and maintain its quality.

It can typically be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When you're ready to use it, simply thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating it on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Remember to give it a good stir after reheating to ensure the ingredients are well combined.

How can I use it?

It is a versatile addition to any kitchen, offering a delightful blend of sweet and tangy flavors.

Use it as a dipping sauce for appetizers like spring rolls (you should try my Vegan Spring rolls), wontons, dumplings, or Vegetable Tempura, among many others.

It also works beautifully as a marinade for proteins, a glaze for grilled dishes, or a unique dressing for salads.

This sauce is a kitchen superstar, jazzing up everything from sandwiches to pizzas with its amazing flavor!

It takes your meals to a whole new level of deliciousness!

What makes this sauce red?

It gets its red color from different things.

Most fast food take-out restaurants use fake red food coloring to make it look bright. But in this recipe, I go for something more natural.

I add a bit of ketchup, which not only makes it red but also tastes better. Ketchup has sugar and vinegar, so it gives the sauce that classic red color and extra flavor.

So, in this version, the red color comes from tasty ingredients, not fake stuff.

Small bowl with homemade sweet and sour sauce.

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Spoon dipping into a small bowl of homemade sweet and sour sauce.

4.70 from 10 votes