Easy Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce

Spoon dipping into a small bowl of homemade sweet and sour sauce.

4.78 from 9 votes

Easy Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce

Give this Easy Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce a try! With just 6 ingredients and 10 minutes, you'll have it ready to enjoy. Say goodbye to store-bought or takeout sauces, this one's the real deal!

Prep Time5

Cook Time5

Total Time10

Course: Kitchen Basics

Cuisine: Chinese

Diet: Vegan

Servings: cup (240 milliliters)

Calories: 29kcal

Author: Iosune

Ingredients

2 tablespoons ketchup
2 teaspoons soy sauce
¼ cup vinegar I used rice vinegar
½ cup granulated sugar
⅔ cup water
4 teaspoons cornstarch

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Mix ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar in a bowl.
Whisk together the cornstarch and the water in a small bowl.
Pour the cornstarch mixture into the sauce bowl and stir until well combined.
Cook the mixture in a saucepan over high heat until it just begins to boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until it thickens, stirring occasionally. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool.

Notes

Consistency Check: Keep an eye on the consistency of the sauce as it cooks. It should coat the back of a spoon and have a glossy appearance when it's ready.
Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce before finishing cooking. You can add more sugar for sweetness, more vinegar for acidity, or more soy sauce for saltiness.
Cornstarch Slurry: Ensure the cornstarch is fully dissolved in water before adding it to the sauce. This prevents lumps and ensures even thickening.
Stirring: Stir the sauce frequently while it's cooking to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan and to ensure even thickening.
Cooling Period: Allow the sauce to cool slightly before using or storing it. This helps it thicken further and allows the flavors to meld together for a more cohesive taste.

Nutrition