Description
This Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce is a quick and easy recipe that delivers a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors. Made with pineapple juice, rice vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce, it thickens beautifully with cornstarch to create a smooth, glossy sauce perfect for dipping or drizzling over your favorite dishes.
Ingredients
Liquid Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp water
Dry Ingredients
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the liquid ingredients: In a large cup, combine pineapple juice, rice vinegar, ketchup, white sugar, and soy sauce. Stir well until the sugar begins to dissolve, then set aside.
- Prepare the cornstarch slurry: In a separate small cup, mix the water and cornstarch thoroughly to create a smooth slurry without lumps. Set aside.
- Cook the sauce: Pour the pineapple juice mixture into a saucepan over low to medium heat. Whisk continuously until the sugar completely dissolves and the mixture is warm.
- Thicken the sauce: Gradually add the cornstarch slurry to the saucepan while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook and whisk over low to medium heat until the sauce thickens to a glossy, smooth consistency.
- Season and finish: Sprinkle in the ground black pepper, stir well, and remove from heat. Your sweet and sour sauce is now ready to use.
- Storage: Pour the sauce into a clean container and refrigerate. It will keep well for up to 3 days.
Notes
- You can adjust the sugar to your taste preference for a sweeter or more tangy sauce.
- Use fresh pineapple juice for best flavor, but canned juice works fine as well.
- The sauce thickens further as it cools, so slightly under-thicken it when cooking if a thinner consistency is preferred.
- This sauce pairs wonderfully with fried dishes, grilled chicken, or as a dipping sauce for appetizers.
- Make sure to whisk constantly when adding the cornstarch slurry to avoid lumps.
