Restaurant Style Sweet and Sour Sauce Made in 10 Min
That glossy sweet and sour sauce from your favorite Chinese spot? You can make it at home in 10 minutes with 6 ingredients you already have. There’s something so satisfying about that glossy, sweet and tangy sauce from your favorite takeout spot. It’s bright, flavorful, and somehow makes everything taste better—from crispy chicken to simple meatballs.
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 53kcal
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Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ Cup White Sugar
- 4 Teaspoons Cornstarch
- 1 Cup Water
- 1 Dash Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Soy Sauce
- 4 Teaspoons White Vinegar
- 3 Drops Red Food Coloring optional
Instructions
How to Make Sweet and Sour Sauce
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, water, salt, soy sauce, and white vinegar. Add the food coloring if you’d like that classic red color.½ Cup White Sugar, 4 Teaspoons Cornstarch, 1 Cup Water, 1 Dash Salt, 1 Teaspoon Soy Sauce, 4 Teaspoons White Vinegar, 3 Drops Red Food Coloring
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and begin whisking. Keep the whisk moving to prevent any lumps from forming.
- Continue cooking until the mixture comes to a boil. You’ll notice it start to thicken and turn glossy.
- Let it boil briefly, then remove from the heat. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Allow it to cool slightly before serving so it clings nicely to your food.
Notes
Helpful Tips
- Whisk continuously for the smoothest texture
- Don’t skip the full boil—this is what thickens the sauce properly
- If it gets too thick, add a small splash of water and stir
- Too thin? Let it simmer just a little longer, whisking constantly, until it thickens. It will also thicken more as it cools.
- Taste and adjust—add a little more vinegar for tang or sugar for sweetness
- The food coloring is optional, but gives that familiar restaurant-style look
Nutrition
Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 0.2mg | Sodium: 53mg | Potassium: 5mg | Fiber: 0.02g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 0.2IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.04mg