Easy sweet and sour sauce is made in minutes and much more flavorful than the packaged stuff. Enjoy that signature glossy, sweet and sour taste that makes everything from cream cheese wontons to Chick-fil A Nuggets!
An All-In-One Sauce, Glaze, and Dip!
In my house sweet and sour sauce is synonymous with Chinese food especially for dipping homemade egg rolls. According to my kids, the “red sauce” is a must! I do have to admit, once I figured out the perfect homemade sweet and sour sauce recipe there really was no turning back to the takeout version. It has better flavor, is cheaper, and I have more control over what I put in it.
I love that it’s a super easy recipe and just a matter of simmering ingredients together until that signature, glossy, sweet and sour sticky sauce is done. You can customize it to to your tastes and add a little more sweet than sour, or a little more sour than sweet, and maybe even a little heat.
How to Make Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Combine all ingredients into the saucepan on the stovetop.
- Simmer the mixture over medium heat. No need to bring to a full boil.
- Pour in your cornstarch slurry to help thicken it up.
- Remove from the heat and pour into a small dish or bowl.
- Cool and serve.
Tips & Variations
- Use arrowroot flour or potato starch in place of cornstarch.
- The red food coloring is optional. Without it, the sauce won’t be as vibrant, but it will still taste great.
- Add a few red pepper flakes for a sweet chili heat.
- If you don’t have rice vinegar, swap with regular white vinegar.
- Use canned or bottled pineapple juice, not fresh. The sugary juice is part of what gives it sweetness.
Storing Suggestions
This delicious sauce has a pretty long shelf life of 2 weeks when stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge.
Favorite Ways to Use It:
This sauce can be used as a glaze, a marinade, or for dipping, and not just for Chinese takeout. The following is just a jumping off point on all the ways you can enjoy this sauce.
- Make sweet and sour chicken or sweet and sour meatballs with it.
- Dip this crab rangoon recipe into it.
- Use it as a glaze for ribs, shrimp, pork, and chicken.
- Use it for chicken and vegetable stir fry or fried rice.
- Use it as a dip for your chicken meatballs or cream cheese wontons.
- Kids love to dip chicken tenders in sweet and sour sauce too!
If you love homemade sauces as much as I do, try this kung pao sauce at home too!
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Easy Sweet and Sour Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup light brown sugar , packed
- 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 ½ Tablesoons ketchup
- ½ Tablespoon soy sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon Kosher salt
- dash ground ginger
- ½ Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon water
- red food coloring
Instructions
- Add the pineapple juice, brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, salt and ginger to a small pot. Add a couple drops of red food coloring if desired. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring well.
- Mix together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl and then mix into the sauce. Whisk until it is mixed well and let simmer until thickened.
- Remove from heat and pour into a small container. Allow to cool and then serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: Asian, Condiments, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, One Pot, Sauces, Stovetop, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
This sauce is easy to make and tastes fantastic! Kids love it!
Yay! Glad to hear that :)
My kiddos love sweet and sour chicken and this made from scratch recipe is so dang tasty! We’ll never buy store-bought again.
Why did I not know how easy this was to make before? I ran out over New Year’s and was happy to find such an easy and delicious recipe. I will always make my own now. Thank you.
So glad you loved the recipe, Kim! :)