Look no further for what is consistently ranked the BEST sweet and sour sauce recipe on the web! There are so many ways to enjoy this popular and versatile sauce (see blog post for ideas) and it takes just 5 ingredients and only 5 minutes of prep/cook time. This homemade sweet and sour sauce couldn’t be simpler to make and it tastes so much better than store-bought or takeout!
What is Sweet and Sour Sauce?
Sweet and sour sauce is a popular condiment made, just as its name suggests, by combining sweet and sour flavor components (a sugar and a vinegar) with a thickener to make a sauce that is used for dipping, drizzling, and incorporated into dishes. Chinese food and sweet and sour sauce go hand in hand and for that reason you’ll find it served in every Chinese restaurant and at every takeout. If you’ve never made your own, it’s time to get on board because not only is it incredibly easy, it tastes WAY better than store-bought and what you get at your local takeout. Plus it’s free of preservatives, chemicals and junk ingredients.
How To Use Sweet and Sour Sauce
Sweet and sour sauce features a balanced combination of sweet and tangy flavors, making it a versatile condiment that can be used in various ways to enhance the flavor of your dishes.  Here are a few ways to use it:
- Dipping Sauce: This is the ultimate dipping sauce for things like potstickers, egg rolls, spring rolls, wontons, dumplings, tempura, fish sticks, and chicken nuggets. Pour the sauce into small bowls to serve alongside your favorite foods and snacks.
- Stir-Fry Sauce: Use this as a base for stir-frying vegetables, meat, or tofu. Stir fry your meat/tofu and veggies and then add the sauce towards the end of the cooking process. Toss everything together and serve it over steamed rice or noodles.
- Marinade:Â Add the sauce to the meat or tofu before grilling, let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, then proceed with grilling.
- Glaze: This works great as a glaze for grilled or roasted meats and seafood like chicken, pork, fish and shrimp. Brush the sauce over the meat during the last few minutes of cooking for a tasty, caramelized glaze. This also works great for things like baked chicken drumsticks and wings.
- Salad Dressing: Mix some of this sauce with your salad oil, and add a dash of toasted sesame oil if you like, to make an Asian-inspired salad dressing for your greens.
- Sandwich Spread: Use this as a spread for your sandwiches and wraps for an Asian twist. It goes particular well with chicken, turkey and pork.
- Pizza Sauce: Get creative and drizzle this over your pizza for an Asian twist, for example chicken or ham, pineapple, peppers, and onions.
Sweet and Sour Sauce Ingredients
You need just five ingredients to make the best sweet and sour sauce: pineapple juice, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce and ketchup. Then to thicken it you’ll need some cornstarch and water.
Do I Have To Use Red Food Coloring?
Not at all! You can make this without food coloring. One of the advantage of making homemade anything is that you don’t have to include the junk ingredients that the store-bought stuff often uses. The red food coloring is purely for aesthetics and tastes exactly the same without it. If you prefer the red color but don’t want to use chemicals in your food there are natural food coloring options and I provide a link to one option in the recipe card below.
Sweet and Sour Sauce Recipe
Let’s get started!
Get your ingredients ready to go because making this sauce goes fast. Measure out your pineapple juice, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce and ketchup. Prepare the cornstarch slurry and set it aside.
Add all of the ingredients except for the cornstarch slurry in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
Stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for another minute until thickened.
You can stop at this point or, if you want, you can add 2-3 drops of food coloring to make your sauce look the way it does at the Chinese takeout. Â Check out this all-natural food coloring.
Let the sauce cool completely. Store it in an airtight jar in the fridge where it will keep for up to 3 weeks.
Enjoy!
Watch How to Make It
For more phenomenal homemade Asian sauces be sure to try our:
- Teriyaki Sauce
- Yum Yum Sauce
- Hoisin Sauce
- Black Bean Sauce
- Eel Sauce
- Plum SauceÂ
- Asian Salad Dressing
- Kecap Manis
- Sweet Chili Sauce
- Ponzu Sauce
- Char Siu Sauce
- Ginger Sauce
BEST Sweet and Sour Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup canned pineapple juice , see note
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- OR brown sugar alternative (for low sugar option)
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar , found in the Asian or general vinegar section of any grocery store, or you can substitute apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (GF)
- For the Cornstarch Slurry: 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
- Optional: 2-3 drops all-natural red food coloring (the one I've linked to is natural, colored with beets. It's in powdered form, simply stir some in to a couple of teaspoons of water and add it to the sauce)
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients, except for the cornstarch slurry, in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for another minute until thickened, stirring constantly. If using red food coloring, stir it in.
- Let the sauce cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator where it will keep for 2-3 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet April 9, 2017
Cindy Chastain says
Wondering if this recipe can be used for canning
Kimberly Killebrew says
Hi Cindy, this hasn’t tested for canning purposes and I would advise against it.
Toni Williams says
This was so good and I agree the BEST! I will never buy it again, not when it’s this simple and delicious to make.
Kristin says
I needed this as a dipping sauce with our dumplings last night and it was so good we ended up drizzling it over our rice too. I will definitely be making this again!
Kimberly Killebrew says
Wonderful, Kristin, I’m so glad it was a hit, thank you!
4Graces says
I was looking for a good sweet and sour sauce to go with breaded shrimp and steamed rice tonight. This is just what I was searching for. Added canned pineapple chunks after the sauce thickened. In my favorite restaurant, they put in loads of sliced onion, and some slices of sweet red pepper. I do not like all those vegetables in the sauce, so this recipe suits me perfectly. I may add a few red pepper flakes next time for a little heat.
Kimberly Killebrew says
Fantastic! Thank you so much, 4Graces!
Candace says
I would give this 6 stars if I could, it is delicious! It was quick to make and while most sauces need some time to sit for the flavors to meld, this was delicious right from the get go. My new favorite!
Kimberly Killebrew says
Oh I’m so glad to hear that, Candace, thank you!
Tricia Denby says
I made this to go with my spring rolls and fried rice and it was DELICIOUS. This recipe deserving of every one of its positive reviews. It’s the best!
Kimberly Killebrew says
Fantastic, Tricia, thank you so much!
Diana L Nordahl says
For us, this recipe is a hit and perfect for sweet & sour pork, chicken, or fish of any kind. I will be eager to try it in other things such as a dipping sauce. I froze it in containers that would be sufficient for us for one serving.
Kimberly Killebrew says
That’s a great idea and I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it, thank you Diana!
Steve Winters says
Made this the other night along with your teriyaki sauce. I have to say they are both the best I have tried. Tossing the store-bought stuff in the bin.
Kimberly Killebrew says
That’s terrific, Steve, I’m so glad you enjoyed them both, thank you!
Cori says
Quite simply the best sweet and sour sauce I’ve tried. Just the right balance of flavors.
Kimberly Killebrew says
Fantastic, Cori, thank you so much!
Nathan says
Yep, best ever. Bar none. It elevates everything I add it to. Keeping this one for good.
Kimberly Killebrew says
Fantastic! Thank you so much, Nathan!
Anonymous says
This is a great recipe. Really tastes like sweet and sour from the Chinese restaurant. Great way to use the syrup/juice from a can of pineapple. I love spicy so I added a bit of chilli and onion powder for an added kick! No more buying extra sweet and sour sauce. This is super easy!
Gaylynn says
I think it’s a beautiful color as-is. Just made it. So yummy and WAY better without all the additives in the store bought version.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you so much, Gaylynn!
Naomi says
This sauce is amazing, tastes like the real thing. Easy and delicious
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you so much, Naomi!