The classic everyone knows – and few make themselves
Sweet and sour sauce is the Chinese restaurant classic almost everyone has a relationship with: glossy, golden-red and perfectly balanced between tangy and sweet. What few people know is how easy it is to make yourself – ten minutes and five or six ingredients, and the result beats the store-bought version hands down.
What you need
- 100 ml rice vinegar
- 4 tbsp sugar (preferably brown)
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 100 ml pineapple juice (from the can of canned pineapple)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed into 2 tbsp cold water
How to make it
- Put rice vinegar, sugar, ketchup, soy sauce and pineapple juice in a small saucepan.
- Bring to the boil while stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
- Stir in the cornstarch mixture and let the sauce simmer for a minute until it thickens and turns glossy.
- Taste and adjust: more vinegar for tangier, more sugar for sweeter.
Sweet and sour chicken – how to use the sauce
The classic dish: cut chicken fillet into pieces, toss them in cornstarch and fry until golden and crispy. Fry bell pepper and onion in large pieces for a couple of minutes, add the chicken and pineapple pieces, and pour over the sauce. Let everything turn glossy and hot – serve with rice. For extra crunch, batter and deep-fry the chicken first, the way the restaurants do.
More ways to use it
Sweet and sour sauce is also perfect as a dip for dumplings and spring rolls, as a glaze on pork, or in a wok with stir-fried noodles. It keeps for about a week in the fridge in a sealed container.
Frequently asked questions
What is sweet and sour sauce made of? The base form: vinegar and sugar in balance, with ketchup or tomato for colour and body. Pineapple juice is the classic secret that rounds off the flavour.
Can I make it without ketchup? Yes – swap in 2 tbsp tomato paste and a little extra sugar. The ketchup delivers sweetness, acidity and the familiar colour all at once, so it's the shortcut.
Why rice vinegar? It's milder and rounder than regular vinegar, so the sauce turns tangy without getting sharp. White wine vinegar works in a pinch, but use a little less.
Is sweet and sour sauce the same as sweet chili? No – sweet chili is a Thai sauce with chili and more sweetness, while sweet and sour sauce is Chinese, tangier and without heat.
Shop the ingredients at FUDI
You'll find rice vinegar, soy sauce, canned pineapple and everything else for the Chinese kitchen with us – plus several ready-made versions in the sauce range for when time is short.