Sweet and sour sauce is a beloved classic in many cuisines, especially in Asian-inspired dishes. This Best Sweet and Sour Sauce recipe balances sweetness and tanginess perfectly, delivering a vibrant and delicious flavor that can transform any meal. Whether you’re drizzling it over crispy chicken, using it as a dipping sauce for egg rolls, or tossing it with stir-fried veggies, this sauce is incredibly versatile. With just a few pantry staples and under 10 minutes, you can create a sauce that’s far superior to store-bought versions, without any preservatives or artificial flavors. It’s the perfect blend of sweet, sour, savory, and just a hint of umami!
Ingredients
- ½ cup white sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that signature glossy, syrupy texture.
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar: Provides the tangy kick that balances the sweetness.
- ¼ cup ketchup: Adds depth and a bit of color, giving the sauce its classic reddish hue.
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce: Infuses the sauce with a savory, umami-rich flavor.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Gives a subtle hint of garlic, elevating the overall flavor profile.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Thickens the sauce to a silky consistency.
- ¼ cup water: Combines with the cornstarch to form a slurry that will thicken the sauce without making it lumpy.
Instructions
1. Mix the Base Ingredients
In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce. Stir the mixture well to combine, ensuring that the sugar dissolves completely into the liquids. This forms the base of the sweet and sour sauce, with the sugar providing sweetness and the vinegar contributing the sourness.
2. Heat the Mixture
Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir the mixture continuously as it heats. You’ll want to stir constantly to prevent the sugar from burning. Keep stirring until the mixture begins to bubble, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
3. Prepare the Cornstarch Slurry
While the sauce base is heating, prepare the thickening agent. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. This slurry will help thicken the sauce to the perfect consistency without any lumps.
4. Thicken the Sauce
Once the sauce mixture is bubbling, slowly add the cornstarch slurry into the saucepan while continuing to stir. Stir constantly to ensure the sauce thickens evenly and smoothly. Continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
5. Cool and Store
Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the sauce to cool for a few minutes before serving. If you’re not using it immediately, transfer the sauce to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, making it a convenient option for meal prepping or quick weeknight meals.
Serving Suggestions
- With Fried Chicken or Pork: Drizzle this Best Sweet and Sour Sauce over crispy fried chicken or pork for a delicious, restaurant-quality dish at home. It’s perfect for dishes like sweet and sour chicken or pork.
- As a Dipping Sauce: Use this sauce as a dip for egg rolls, wontons, spring rolls, or even French fries for a flavorful twist. It also works beautifully with chicken nuggets or tempura.
- Over Stir-Fried Vegetables: Toss this sauce with a mix of stir-fried vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas to add a sweet and tangy glaze that ties everything together.
- With Rice or Noodles: Add a spoonful of this sauce to fried rice or stir-fried noodles to give them a zesty, sweet, and sour flavor boost.
Helpful Tips
- Adjust Sweetness and Tanginess: This recipe strikes a balance between sweet and sour, but you can easily adjust the ratios to suit your taste. If you prefer a tangier sauce, add a splash more vinegar. For a sweeter sauce, simply increase the sugar by an extra tablespoon or two.
- Use Fresh Garlic: If you want a more pronounced garlic flavor, you can substitute the garlic powder for fresh minced garlic. Sauté the garlic in a bit of oil before adding the other ingredients to the saucepan.
- Try Different Vinegars: While apple cider vinegar works perfectly in this recipe, you can also experiment with rice vinegar or white vinegar for different flavor profiles. Rice vinegar will give you a milder tang, while white vinegar will be sharper.
- Make It Spicy: If you love a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the sauce while it simmers.
- Double the Recipe: This recipe makes about 1 cup of sauce, but you can easily double or triple the ingredients if you’re making a larger batch or want to store extra for later use.
Nutritional Information (per serving, based on 1 tablespoon)
- Calories: 30 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Sugar: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
This Best Sweet and Sour Sauce is not only delicious but also relatively low in calories, making it a great choice for anyone looking to add flavor without too many extra calories.
Time Information
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
This Best Sweet and Sour Sauce recipe is quick, simple, and delivers big on flavor. Whether you’re making a classic sweet and sour chicken or just need a versatile dipping sauce, this recipe has you covered. With a perfect balance of sweet and tangy, it’s sure to become a favorite in your household. Plus, with minimal ingredients and a short cook time, you can have a homemade sauce that’s much healthier and tastier than anything you’d find in a jar!
Recipe Card
Best Sweet and Sour Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup white sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that signature glossy syrupy texture.
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar: Provides the tangy kick that balances the sweetness.
- ¼ cup ketchup: Adds depth and a bit of color giving the sauce its classic reddish hue.
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce: Infuses the sauce with a savory umami-rich flavor.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Gives a subtle hint of garlic elevating the overall flavor profile.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Thickens the sauce to a silky consistency.
- ¼ cup water: Combines with the cornstarch to form a slurry that will thicken the sauce without making it lumpy.
Instructions
Mix the Base Ingredients
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce. Stir the mixture well to combine, ensuring that the sugar dissolves completely into the liquids. This forms the base of the sweet and sour sauce, with the sugar providing sweetness and the vinegar contributing the sourness.
Heat the Mixture
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir the mixture continuously as it heats. You’ll want to stir constantly to prevent the sugar from burning. Keep stirring until the mixture begins to bubble, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
Prepare the Cornstarch Slurry
- While the sauce base is heating, prepare the thickening agent. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. This slurry will help thicken the sauce to the perfect consistency without any lumps.
Thicken the Sauce
- Once the sauce mixture is bubbling, slowly add the cornstarch slurry into the saucepan while continuing to stir. Stir constantly to ensure the sauce thickens evenly and smoothly. Continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Cool and Store
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the sauce to cool for a few minutes before serving. If you’re not using it immediately, transfer the sauce to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, making it a convenient option for meal prepping or quick weeknight meals.