Chinese Sweet and Sour Sauce

Chinese Sweet and Sour Sauce is a flavorful and tangy sauce that pairs wonderfully with fried dishes, such as sweet and sour chicken, pork, or as a dipping sauce for egg rolls. Here’s a simple and delicious recipe to make it at home:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water (for dissolving cornstarch)
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)

Instructions:

1. Combine the sauce ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the vinegar, ketchup, sugar, water, soy sauce, garlic powder (if using), onion powder (if using), salt, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir everything together until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Dissolve the cornstarch: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to make a slurry. Stir until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and no lumps remain.
3. Cook the sauce: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Once it starts to simmer, slowly add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce while stirring continuously. The sauce should start to thicken after a minute or two.
4. Simmer and adjust: Continue simmering the sauce for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thick, you can add a little more water to thin it out. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning, adding more sugar for sweetness or vinegar for tang, if needed.
5. Serve: Once the sauce has thickened and is well balanced, remove from heat and let it cool slightly before serving.

Tips:

• Adjust sweetness and tang: If you like your sauce sweeter, add a little more sugar. If you prefer it tangier, increase the vinegar.
• Add pineapple: For an extra fruity touch, you can stir in a few tablespoons of pineapple juice or small chunks of pineapple for a more authentic sweet and sour flavor.
• Storage: Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1–2 weeks. You can reheat it on the stove or in the microwave when ready to use.

This homemade Chinese Sweet and Sour Sauce will add that perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory to your dishes! Enjoy!