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A jar of brown sauce with a spoon resting on top, surrounded by ginger and pineapple pieces on a light surface.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

Make your own homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce and you’ll never go back to store-bought! This recipe is straightforward and quick, making it ideal for livening up everything from crispy chicken to crunchy spring rolls. Perfect for giving your meals a tangy, sweet twist, this sauce is your new best friend.
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: sweet and sour sauce
Servings: 4
Calories: 170kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon cornflour
  • 2 tablespoon water
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoons ketchup
  • 4 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

Instructions

  • Dissolve the cornflour in 2 tablespoons of water and set aside.
    2 tablespoon water, 1 tablespoon cornflour
  • Add the pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, and rice wine vinegar to a small pot.
    1 cup pineapple juice, ½ cup brown sugar, 4 tablespoons ketchup, 4 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • Bring the mixture to a slow boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the cornflour mixture to the sauce, stirring continuously.
  • Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes, or until it thickens to your desired consistency.
  • Once thickened, remove the sauce from the heat and reserve for use with your pork tenderloin or any other dish you prefer.

Notes

  • Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add a little water or pineapple juice to thin it out. Too thin? Simmer it a bit longer or add a touch more cornflour slurry.
  • Flavor Adjustments: Taste as you go! Adjust the sweetness by tweaking the amount of brown sugar or add a bit more vinegar for extra tang.
  • Vinegar: You can substitute apple cider vinegar or white vinegar for rice wine vinegar to add a different kind of tangy flavor to your sauce.
  • Pineapple Juice: If you don’t have pineapple juice, you can use orange juice or even a bit of lemon juice mixed with apple juice for a similar zesty flavor profile.
  • Add Heat: Like it spicy? Throw in some red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to add a kick.
  • Color Your Sauce: For that classic takeout look, a drop of red food coloring can do the trick, although it's totally optional.
  • Make Ahead: This sauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a week, making it a great make-ahead option for quick meals.
  • Stir It Well: When adding the cornflour slurry, make sure to stir it well to prevent lumps and ensure smooth, even thickening.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

  • Cool and Airtight: Let the sauce cool to room temperature before storing it away, and transfer the sauce to an airtight container
  • Refrigerate: Pop the container in the fridge, where your sauce can stay fresh for up to a week.
  • Freeze: You can freeze it for up to three months. Just make sure to leave some room in the container for expansion, and thaw it in the fridge overnight when you're ready to use it.
  • Reheat: When you’re ready to use it again, gently reheat the sauce on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to keep the consistency smooth. Add a little water if it seems too thick.

Nutrition

Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 1151mg | Potassium: 198mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1mg
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