Sweet and Sour Sauce. Just 6 common ingredients are required to make this easy tangy sauce with just the right balance of sweet fruity flavour.
Sweet and Sour Sauce.
It suddenly occurred to me last week, as I was preparing a Chinese take-out inspired meal, that in almost 20 years, I had never posted this simple recipe.
I’m not sure why that is. Perhaps I thought it was too common a recipe, that everyone had their own favourite version of in their recipe repertoire.
On that evening a friend joined us for dinner. We served Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls and Shrimp, along with one if our favourite noodle recipes.
Sweet and Sour Sauce.
Upon dipping his shrimp into the sauce, he immediately asked “What’s different about this sauce? It’s really good!”
I replied that it’s a pretty standard recipe and probably one he’d made before himself. He had indeed made a very similar sauce before using most of the ingredients in this sauce.
A couple of questions later and we honed in on the answer. Pineapple juice.
Ingredients for sweet and sour sauce.
The base of Sweet and Sour Sauce.
Many people start almost the exact same sauce with a simple water base. I remember years ago when I first started cooking I did exactly the same.
Delicious as a dip for battered shrimp.
I don’t recall where but at some point along the way, I saw a quick and easy chicken and vegetable stir fry recipe made by an Asian chef on TV. He said it was essential to start the sauce with pineapple juice for a little fruity background flavour.
He was not wrong, and I’ve been making it that way ever since.
So, I thought I’d share this simple recipe today, as a reminder to myself that even little things can make big improvements to a recipe. It’s something I’ll keep in mind going forward.
Who knows what else I’ve been holding out on without intending to! 😉
Brown sugar brings the sweetness but I have also used honey on occasion.
Ketchup brings colour and a little extra tang to the sauce.
Want more Chinese Take-Out inspired recipes?
Ypu’re sure to find many favourites in this fantastic collection of Chinese Take-Out Recipes at Home! I’ll bet you’ll be ordering less delivery from now on!
BONUS INFO! MY TOP TEN Asian Cooking Ingredients to keep on hand.
Hoisin Sauce is one of the best and most versatile Asian cooking ingredients to have on hand at all times.
These recipes also make use of some basic Asian cooking ingredients that I always keep in the fridge or cupboard. My TOP TEN Asian cooking ingredients that I always try to have on hand are:
- Hoisin sauce
- Fish sauce
- Toasted sesame oil
- Ginger root. ( I keep mine in the freezer and then easily grate it frozen)
- Rice wine vinegar.
- Five Spice powder.
- Low sodium soy sauce (recommended for all my recipes that call for it)
- Oyster Sauce
- Sesame seeds
- Crushed chili paste ( sambal oelek or similar)
Roasted cashew nuts are another ingredient I like to garnish some Asian dishes with, both for great flavour and added crunchy texture.
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Sweet and Sour Sauce
Sweet and Sour Sauce. Just 6 common ingredients are required to make this easy tangy sauce with just the right balance of sweet fruity flavour.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pineapple juice
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 2/3 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 slightly round tbsp corn starch
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, bring the pineapple juice, ketchup, brown sugar rice vinegar and soy sauce to a gentle boil for just a few minutes.
- Dissolve the corn starch in the water to create a slurry.
- Slowly add the slurry to the boiling sauce, a little at a time, whisking constantly.
- Remove from heat and use as desired.
- This recipe can easily be halved if you need less sauce, or can keep in the fridge for about 2 weeks.
- Additions may include, sesame oil, ginger, sautéed garlic, or chilli flakes, to create your own unique version.
Nutrition Information
Yield
9Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 291Total Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gSodium 551mgCarbohydrates 69gFiber 1gSugar 28gProtein 1g
The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated by third party software and is meant as a guideline only. Exact accuracy is not guaranteed. For recipes where all ingredients may not be used entirely, such as those with coatings on meats, or with sauces or dressings for example, calorie & nutritional values per serving will likely be somewhat lower than indicated.