Learn how to make this homemade sweet and sour sauce. Sauce is definitely restaurant quality. Serve it over chicken or as a dip for spring rolls.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

This homemade sweet and sour sauce is definitely restaurant quality. My brother-in-law, Roman discovered it on Recipezaar.com. The chicken recipe there is quite good as well; “Chinese-style chicken balls with sweet and sour sauce.” I used this sauce on my Shrimp Spring Rolls.

Ingredients for Sweet and Sour Sauce:

1/2 cup ketchup
1 tsp soy sauce
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar,packed (can reduce to 1/3 cup)
1 cup white sugar (for less sweet taste, reduce a few tablespoons)
3/4 cup cold water (or half pineapple juice and half water) I used pineapple juice and it turned out great
4 to 5 Tbsp cornstarch (5 makes a pretty thick sauce)

How to Make Sweet and Sour Sauce:

In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 tsp soy sauce, 1/3 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1 cup white sugar until combined.

In a separate cup, whisk 3/4 cup cold water (or pineapple juice) with 4 Tbsp cornstarch until well blended. Whisk vigorously into the ketchup mixture. Bring to a boil while whisking until bubbly, then reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened, remove from heat. Keep in mind, the sauce will get thicker when cooled.

Learn how to make this homemade sweet and sour sauce. Sauce is definitely restaurant quality. Serve it over chicken or as a dip for spring rolls.
4.94 from 30 votes

Sweet and Sour Sauce Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Easy homemade sweet and sour sauce with basic pantry staples. This tastes like authentic Sweet & Sour Sauce and you'll make it over and over!

Ingredients 

Servings: 12 servings (makes 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed (can reduce to 1/3 cup)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, for less sweet taste, reduce a few Tbsp
  • 3/4 cup cold water, or half pineapple juice and half water
  • 4 to 5 Tbsp corn starch, (5 Tbsp makes a pretty thick sauce)

Instructions

  • In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 tsp soy sauce, 1/3 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1 cup white sugar until combined.
  • In a separate cup, whisk 3/4 cup cold water (or pineapple juice) with 4 Tbsp cornstarch until well blended. Whisk vigorously into the ketchup mixture. Bring to a boil while whisking until bubbly, then reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened, remove from heat. Keep in mind, the sauce will get thicker when cooled.

Nutrition Per Serving

122kcal Calories31g Carbs1g Protein1g Fat1g Saturated Fat123mg Sodium44mg Potassium1g Fiber28g Sugar51IU Vitamin A1mg Vitamin C9mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Sweet and Sour Sauce Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
122
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
1
g
2
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Sodium
 
123
mg
5
%
Potassium
 
44
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
 
31
g
10
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
28
g
31
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
Vitamin A
 
51
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
9
mg
1
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Condiments, Sauce
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Keyword: sweet and sour sauce
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $