The Best Sweet and Sour Sauce, only 5 ingredients and ready in minutes!
Anyone else a huge sweet and sour sauce fan? You need to try this recipe!
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Easy Sweet and Sour Sauce
Sweet and sour sauce is something you need in your recipe arsenal. Not only is it delicious, it is very versatile and you can use it many different ways!
Use it as a dipping sauce for cream cheese wontons, a glaze for grilled chicken, or even with tempura veggies. I even like to dip my teriyaki beef sticks in it when getting takeout!
How about a fun appetizer of sweet and sour glazed meatballs, perfect for game day!
Sweet and sour chicken is obviously a huge staple at your local Chinese Restaurant and this is definitely the perfect copycat!
Sweet and tangy and thickened with a cornstarch slurry, you will totally impress your guests with this one!
Take me to the recipe for Sweet and Sour Sauce already!
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If you would rather not hear my super helpful tips and tricks, FAQ, and my overall awesomeness and get straight to this delicious Sweet and Sour Sauce – you can very easily scroll all the way to the bottom of this post for the full printable FREE recipe! Bon appetit.
How to make Sweet and Sour Sauce:
In a small saucepot, heat the vinegar, water, and sugar.
Whisk continuously until sugar is melted then in add the ketchup.
Mix the cornstarch and water together to form a slurry in a small bowl.
Bring vinegar mixture to a slow boil. Pour in the cornstarch slurry slowly while continuously whisking to make sure there are no lumps.
Stir until thickened, about 30 seconds. Take off the heat.
Eat up!
This homemade sweet and sour sauce is so delicious, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make it sooner!
A little note of warning. This is a sauce made with a lot of sugar, when it gets hot, melted sugar will burn you worse than regular liquid.
While stirring this sauce and it is boiling, be extremely careful. If the sauce seems like it is boiling too hard and it starts to “pop” from boiling, take it off the heat until it cools slightly.
Better to be safe!
Is sweet and sour sauce gluten free?
This recipe uses no flour or gluten in it! The thickener is cornstarch.
How to thicken sweet and sour sauce?
Use a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce plus a little time boiling.
Sweet and Sour Recipe Alternatives and Add-Ons:
This is a super simple sauce with only five ingredients. You can still make it your own by adding a few things!
A few dashes of hot sauce or sriracha would be SO good. Or, even some sweet chili paste would go wonderfully in this sauce.
Or, even a pinch of chili flakes or star anise would be good too! Add a dash of Chinese 5 spice for an unexpected twist.
More yummy Asian inspired sauce recipes:
- Asian Steak Skewers
- Asian Marinated Grilled Shrimp Skewers
- Beef and Broccoli
- Garlic Sauce – Stir Fried Lotus Root
- Spicy Teriyaki – Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
- Sesame Almond Butter Sauce – Noodles
A Sweet Sour Sauce perfect for dipping!
Tools used for to make Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- Measuring cups, I love these!
- A small saucepot.
- A whisk
Sweet and Sour Sauce
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 2/3 cup water
- 2 1/2 tablespoons ketchup
Cornstarch Slurry
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- In a small saucepot, add the sugar, vinegar, and water. Place over medium heat, whisking constantly until sugar is melted. Add the ketchup whisk to combine.
- In a small bowl, mix together the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Bring the vinegar mixture to a slow boil, slowly stream in the cornstarch slurry while whisking constantly. Cook until thickened, about 30 seconds. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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Parrish says
Yasss!! Making this to dip everything in!!!! Thanks!!!
Lane | With Two Spoons says
YES! Give me everything sauce! Totally versatile and way better than buying at the store! Thanks!
Pat Gregory says
I have used this recipe many times for sweet & sour chicken, for Egg Rolls and anything else I want to dip it this great sauce. I tried other recipes but they don’t comapre with this. Thanks for sharing.
Dana DeVolk says
Thanks so much, I feel the same way hehe!
Dennis says
This recipe was super easy and super good!
Kris Whisler says
awesome recipe
Krsta says
This is great. If you want a little kick add red pepper flakes after removing from stove.
Michelle says
I did that too. It was good. Trying to creat Szchewann style.
rebecca says
how long does this keep in the fridge for?
Dana DeVolk says
This would keep for at least a week. I would heat it up first before reusing.
Eva says
The best DIY sweet and sour sauce ever!!
Kristina says
Made this tonight to go with home made chicken tenders- so yummy, definately make this again 🤪