Sweet and Sour Sauce

This homemade sweet and sour sauce delivers the classic balance of bright citrus, tangy vinegar, and gentle sweetness that makes Chinese takeout sauces so addictive. Fresh citrus and ginger create a flavorful base, while ketchup and sugar give the sauce its familiar sweet-tart finish.

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Chinese Sweet and Sour Sauce

It may seem like a mystery, you know, how to make sweet-and-sour sauce. But I promise it is very easy to do. You may even have the ingredients on hand if you want to make your homemade sauce.

One of the things I like most about recreating restaurant favorites is knowing exactly what you put in your food. I know when you try this sauce, you will be amazed at how much better it tastes than what you can buy in a jar.

What Makes this Sauce so Good

Unlike many other online recipes, this one includes actual fruits. Most contain very similar ingredients. They include ketchup, yes, you read that right, sugar, vinegar, and water.

This version has a more complex flavor because we are going to flavor our water with fresh oranges, lemons, and ginger. I think the natural fruit juice and oils extracted from the water make a significant difference in the final flavor.

CopyKat Chef’s Notes

• Citrus Balance: Fresh orange and lemon create the bright flavor that gives this sauce its signature sweet-tart taste. If the sauce tastes too sharp, add a small amount of sugar to round out the acidity.

• Color Control: Ketchup provides both sweetness and the familiar red color seen in many restaurant sweet and sour sauces. Adjust the amount slightly if you want a deeper color or a milder tomato flavor.

• Thickness Control: The cornstarch slurry thickens the sauce quickly, so add it gradually while stirring. If the sauce becomes too thick, whisk in a tablespoon of water until it reaches the desired consistency.

• Smooth Texture: Strain the sauce after simmering the citrus and ginger if you prefer a completely smooth dipping sauce. Leaving it unstrained will give the sauce a more rustic texture and stronger citrus flavor.

• Flavor Development: Let the sauce cool slightly before serving so the citrus, sugar, and vinegar flavors have time to meld and balance.

How to Make Chinese Sweet and Sour Sauce

1. Slice the orange, lemon, and ginger.
2. Place the slices into a medium pot along with water.
3. Boil for 30 minutes.
4. Use a sieve to strain the water into a bowl and press the fruit into the sieve.
5. Place the water back into the pot and add sugar, 1/2 vinegar, ketchup, and red food coloring (if using).
6. Whisk until well blended.
7. Heat over medium-high heat.
8. Combine corn starch with cold water.
9. Slowly stream the corn starch liquid into the sauce, stirring constantly.
10. Once the sauce thickens, remove it from the heat.
11. Cool the sauce to room temperature.

This recipe will make about a quart of sweet-and-sour sauce. It will make the perfect amount for making sweet and sour chicken.

This homemade sweet and sour sauce goes great with some cream cheese rangoons. You might even enjoy it with chicken nuggets.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

• Refrigerator Storage: Store sweet and sour sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Stir before using if the sauce settles slightly.

• Reheating Method: Reheat gently in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until warm. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a small splash of water to loosen it.

• Freezing: Freeze the sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop while stirring.

Try Your Hand at These Homemade Sauces

• Campfire Sauce
• Cocktail Sauce
• Coconut Shrimp Sauce
• Garlic Parmesan Sauce for Wings
• Secret Sauce
• Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce
• Tiger Sauce
• Yum Yum Sauce

Favorite Chinese Recipes

• Chinese Pork Ribs
• Chow Fun
• Egg Foo Young
• Hunan Style Chicken
• Seafood Delight

Check out more of my easy sauce recipes and the best Chinese food recipes here on CopyKat!

Restaurant Style Sweet and Sour Sauce

This homemade Chinese sweet and sour sauce is made with fresh citrus, ginger, vinegar, sugar, and ketchup for the perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavor.

5 from 3 votes

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Course: Sauces

Cuisine: Chinese

Keyword: Sweet and Sour Sauce

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 10

Calories: 125kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

• 5 cups water
• 1 orange
• 1 lemon
• 2 or 3 slices fresh ginger
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1 cup ketchup
• red food coloring if desired
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons water

Instructions

• Wash the orange and the lemon well.
• Slice the fruit and ginger and place the slices into a medium pot along with 5 cups of water.
• Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Strain water with a sieve into a bowl.
• Press the fruit into the sieve. You want to get all of the water released.
• Place the water back into the pot and add 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup vinegar, 1 cup ketchup, and a few drops of red food coloring (if using).
• Whisk until well blended.
• Heat the sauce over medium high heat.
• Combine 3 tablespoons corn starch and 3 tablespoons cold water in a small bowl.
• Slowly stream the corn starch liquid into the sauce, stirring constantly.
• When the sauce thickens, remove it from heat.

Notes

Store unused sauce in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 125kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 225mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 155IU | Vitamin C: 13.7mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.2mg