This Chinese-style Sweet and Sour Sauce is easy to make and tastes better than takeout! It's perfect for dipping with egg rolls, meatballs, or chicken nuggets!
Looking for more easy Chinese recipes? Try my Honey Walnut Shrimp or Beef and Broccoli next!
About This Recipe
So when I was a kid, I told my parents I would go trick-or-treating until I was 50 years old. They laughed, but I was completely serious. Obviously, that didn't happen - I think I stopped around 13 - but the point I'm trying to make is that I've always had a sweet tooth.
One of my favorite Chinese-American dishes is sweet and sour pork. In Chinese cuisine, it's often thought of as "kid food" because it's super sweet, but somehow it's still my favorite food to this day. Whenever I go to a Chinese restaurant, I always order it. Even when my wife's grandma invites us to dinner, she specially orders a plate just for me.
This sweet and sour sauce recipe is based on the one I use in my sweet and sour chicken recipe, but it's a standalone version. You can use it for dipping in egg rolls, meatballs, or even chicken nuggets. It's easy to make and only requires 5 pantry ingredients.
Key Ingredients
Ketchup: The base of the sauce is made with ketchup. I know it may be hard to believe, but it is what is used in authentic sweet and sour sauce.
White vinegar: I like white vinegar for its neutral flavor; however, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice would work as well.
Brown sugar: We need a good amount of sugar. As I've made sweet and sour over my life, I've slowly increased the amount, and it feels closer to the restaurant taste that way.
Water: For diluting the sauce, otherwise, it's too potent.
Cornstarch: For thickening the sauce.
Salt: To bring out all the flavor.
Instructions
STEP 1: Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
STEP 2: Whisk constantly until the mixture boils and thickens.
Sweet and Sour Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Whisk constantly until the mixture boils and thickens.
- Serve immediately or let cool down and chill in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Shirley
This was a really good sweet and sour sauce.
Baby Ruth
My guy absolutely raved about this sauce. Very nice