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Sweet And Sour Sauce1
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Sweet and Sour Sauce

This homemade sweet and sour sauce offers a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors, made with simple pantry ingredients and ready in under 10 minutes. It's versatile for drizzling, dipping, or tossing with your favorite dishes.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Asian
Keyword: Easy, Gluten-Free, Homemade, Quick, Versatile
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pineapple juice use juice from a carton or canned pineapple juice
  • ½ cup light brown sugar 100g, adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness
  • ½ cup white or apple cider vinegar provides the tangy acidity that balances the sweetness
  • ¼ cup ketchup adds a subtle tomato flavor and color
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari tamari is a great gluten-free alternative
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry that thickens the sauce
  • 2 tablespoons water cold, for mixing with cornstarch to make slurry
  • 3 drops red food coloring optional, for a vibrant, classic red hue without altering flavor

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, pour the pineapple juice, light brown sugar, white or apple cider vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce. Whisk these ingredients together over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture starts to warm up.
  • Allow the sauce to come to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently to help the flavors meld and the sauce to heat evenly.
  • In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth to create a slurry.
  • Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce while whisking constantly. Continue stirring for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
  • If using, add 3 drops of red food coloring to the sauce and stir well to achieve a classic bright red color.
  • Give the sauce a final taste and adjust seasoning if necessary by adding more sugar, vinegar, or soy sauce according to your preference.
  • Serve the sweet and sour sauce warm immediately over your favorite dishes or let it cool and store for later use.

Equipment

  • Medium Saucepan
  • Small Bowl
  • Whisk

Notes

Use fresh pineapple juice for a brighter flavor; adjust sugar and vinegar to taste; mix cornstarch with cold water to prevent lumps; keep sauce warm on low heat but avoid boiling after thickening; for gluten-free use tamari; add ginger or garlic for more complex flavor; store leftovers in fridge up to one week or freeze up to 3 months.