Easy Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce

This quick and easy sweet and sour sauce comes together in just 15 minutes, balancing tangy and sweet flavors to complement a variety of dishes.

• Prep5 min
• Cook10 min
• Total15 min
• DifficultyEasy
• Servings8

A classic sweet and sour sauce is a must-have in any kitchen, and this homemade version is incredibly simple to make. With pineapple juice, orange juice, and a blend of vinegars, it offers a bright, tangy base that's perfectly balanced with brown and white sugar.

This sauce thickens beautifully with cornstarch, creating a glossy, smooth texture that coats your favorite dishes. It's ideal for stir-fries, as a dipping sauce for spring rolls or chicken nuggets, or even as a glaze for meatballs. Plus, you can adjust the sweetness and tanginess to your liking.

Ingredients

Metric (g, ml, °C)US (cups, oz, °F)

Servings −

8

+

• ⅔ cup pineapple juice
• ¼ cup orange juice
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• ¼ cup light brown sugar (packed)
• ¼ cup white sugar
• ¼ cup rice vinegar
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• ⅓ cup ketchup
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ¼ cup water
• 1–2 dashes red gel food coloring (optional)

Converted amounts are rounded.

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Method

1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together all ingredients except the food coloring until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and no lumps remain.
2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir or whisk continuously until the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
3. Keep stirring constantly as the sauce thickens. Taste and adjust the sweetness or tanginess if needed. If you want a deeper red color, add a few drops of red gel food coloring and stir well.
4. Once the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, remove it from the heat immediately.
5. Let the sauce cool completely before serving. It will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.

💡 Tips

• For a smoother sauce, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve after cooking.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• This sauce can be made ahead and reheated gently, adding a splash of water if needed.

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Inspired by a recipe from Sweet and Savory Meals