Sweet and Sour Sauce

Name: Sweet and Sour Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: Rice vinegar — 80 ml (1/3 cup); Sugar — 80 g (1/3 cup + 1 tbsp); Ketchup or tomato paste — 60 g (1/4 cup); Pineapple juice — 60 ml (1/4 cup); Soy sauce — 15 ml (1 tbsp); Cornstarch slurry — 15 g (1.5 tbsp) mixed with water; Water — 100 ml (1/3 cup + 1 tbsp)

The Quirky Foodster Team

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (0)

5 min

Prep

10 min

Cook

Ingredients

Rice vinegar — 80 ml (1/3 cup)
Sugar — 80 g (1/3 cup + 1 tbsp)
Ketchup or tomato paste — 60 g (1/4 cup)
Pineapple juice — 60 ml (1/4 cup)
Soy sauce — 15 ml (1 tbsp)
Cornstarch slurry — 15 g (1.5 tbsp) mixed with water
Water — 100 ml (1/3 cup + 1 tbsp)

Method

Combine rice vinegar, sugar, ketchup, pineapple juice, soy sauce and water in a saucepan.
Whisk together and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in cornstarch slurry, whisking continuously.
Simmer 2-3 minutes more until thickened and glossy.

Cultural Background: A vibrant orange-red sauce balancing sugar and vinegar, sweet and sour sauce traces to ancient Chinese cooking techniques dating back over 1,000 years, becoming one of the most internationally recognized Chinese sauce styles worldwide.

Tips: • Adjust the sugar-to-vinegar ratio to taste — some prefer a sharper, more balanced tang, others a sweeter finish. • This sauce thickens quickly once the cornstarch slurry is added, so have everything ready to serve immediately after.

Variations: • Add diced pineapple and bell pepper directly into the sauce for a chunkier, more traditional presentation. • Use as a dipping sauce for fried items, or as a stir-fry finishing sauce.

Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Reheating: Reheat gently over low heat, stirring, adding a splash of water if too thick. Nutrition (per serving) Approx. 30 kcal, 0.1 g protein, 0 g fat, 7.5 g carbohydrate per 15 ml serving. FAQs What is sweet and sour sauce traditionally used for? A dipping sauce for fried items like sweet and sour pork, and a finishing sauce for stir-fries. Why does the sauce look orange rather than deep red? The balance of ketchup, pineapple juice and vinegar gives it a characteristic bright orange-red hue.

FAQs: What is sweet and sour sauce traditionally used for? A dipping sauce for fried items like sweet and sour pork, and a finishing sauce for stir-fries. Why does the sauce look orange rather than deep red? The balance of ketchup, pineapple juice and vinegar gives it a characteristic bright orange-red hue.