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Sweet And Sour Sauce Recipe

Sweet And Sour Sauce Recipe

Bright, sweet, and tangy, this homemade Sweet And Sour Sauce Recipe is a classic Chinese-style condiment that brings color and flavor to stir-fries, glazes, and dipping sauces.
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Course Condiment
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice freshly squeezed or canned; include bits for texture
  • 1/4 cup ketchup classic or no-sugar-added brand
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar bright, clean tang; apple cider vinegar works too
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar light or dark for richer flavor; honey can replace sugar
  • 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce use gluten-free for gluten-free version
  • 1 tsp finely grated ginger or 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 clove garlic minced; fresh gives the best punch
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch for thickening; arrowroot is a fine swap
  • 2 tbsp cold water to whisk into the cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil optional, for that nutty finish
  • Pinch salt & black pepper to balance sweetness

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, stir the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. This step helps avoid lumps later—trust me, it matters.
  • In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, combine pineapple juice, ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. Stir to blend sugar into the liquid.
  • Let the mixture bubble for about 2 minutes, stirring once or twice so it doesn’t scorch.
  • Pour the cornstarch slurry into the pan while whisking constantly. You’ll see the sauce go from thin to glossy in 10–15 seconds.
  • Sprinkle in a pinch of salt and pepper, then sample. If it’s too tangy, add a bit more sugar; if too sweet, a splash more vinegar.
  • Drizzle in the sesame oil off the heat and give a final stir for aroma.
  • Transfer to a heatproof jar or bowl. Let it cool for 5 minutes, then use right away or chill.

Notes

Letting the sauce rest off the heat for 10 minutes gives the cornstarch time to fully activate, so it stays thick even after cooling. Fresh pineapple juice adds extra zing, but canned works fine—just check there’s no extra syrup. And if your sugar is coarse, stir it over low heat a bit longer to dissolve completely.
Keyword Chinese Condiment, Dipping Sauce, Homemade Sauce, Sweet and Sour Sauce
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