Restaurant Style Sweet and Sour Sauce Recipe

Introduction

This restaurant-style sweet and sour sauce is a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors that brighten up any dish. Easy to make at home, it pairs wonderfully with chicken, pork, or vegetables for a vibrant, flavorful meal.

Ingredients

• 1 cup canned pineapple juice*
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1-2 tablespoons soy sauce or GF tamari**
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2-4 drops red food coloring (optional, but very recommended)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a saucepan, whisk together pineapple juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar. Place over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
2. Step 2: While waiting for the sauce to boil, mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry.
3. Step 3: Once the sauce is boiling with big bubbles, slowly add the cornstarch slurry, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens. Remove the pan from heat.
4. Step 4: Stir in red food coloring at this time to maintain vibrant color. Avoid adding it earlier as it may lose its intensity.
5. Step 5: Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature before using or storing.

Tips & Variations

• Use pineapple juice from a can for consistent sweetness and flavor, slightly more than one standard can is needed.
• Adjust soy sauce or tamari amount carefully; tamari is stronger and gluten-free options vary in taste and sweetness—taste and modify accordingly.
• For a thicker sauce, increase cornstarch by half a tablespoon, mixing thoroughly to avoid lumps.
• Try adding a splash of orange juice or fresh grated ginger for a unique twist.

Storage

Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. When reheating, warm gently over low heat and stir well to restore its smooth texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this sweet and sour sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the sauce can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just reheat gently before serving.

What can I use if I don’t have rice vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar works well as a substitute, providing a similar tangy flavor that complements the sweetness of the sauce.

Restaurant Style Sweet and Sour Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 139 reviews

• Author: Ella
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: About 1 1/4 cups 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This Restaurant Style Sweet and Sour Sauce is a perfect balance of tangy pineapple, vinegar, soy sauce, and sweetness, thickened to a glossy finish that pairs beautifully with stir-fries, chicken, and pork dishes. Easy to make on the stovetop with pantry staples, it’s vibrant, flavorful, and customizable with gluten-free options.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Sauce Base

• 1 cup canned pineapple juice (slightly more than 1 standard can)
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1–2 tablespoons soy sauce or gluten-free tamari
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

Thickener

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

Optional

• 2–4 drops red food coloring (recommended for vibrant color)

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Instructions

1. Combine Sauce Ingredients: Add pineapple juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce (or tamari), and granulated sugar into a medium saucepan. Whisk the mixture together thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
2. Heat to Boil: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, watching for big bubbles indicating it’s boiling properly.
3. Prepare Cornstarch Slurry: While waiting for the sauce to boil, mix cornstarch and water together in a small bowl until smooth to create a slurry that will thicken the sauce.
4. Thicken the Sauce: Once the sauce is boiling, gradually stir in the cornstarch slurry. Continue stirring consistently until the sauce thickens to a glossy, syrup-like consistency. Remove from heat immediately to avoid over-thickening.
5. Add Food Coloring: Add 2 to 4 drops of red food coloring to the hot sauce, stirring gently. Adding it now preserves the vibrancy of the color without the need for excess coloring.
6. Cool and Store: Allow the sauce to cool at room temperature. Once cooled, transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate until ready to use. The sauce will keep well chilled for several days.

Notes

• Pineapple juice quantity is slightly more than one standard can to ensure correct flavor balance.
• Use gluten-free tamari or soy sauce cautiously; tamari is more intense, so start with less and adjust to taste to avoid overpowering the sauce.
• Check product labels to avoid sauces with added sugars if on a controlled sugar diet.
• Red food coloring enhances visual appeal but does not affect flavor and is optional.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Sauce
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Asian

Keywords: sweet and sour sauce, restaurant style sauce, pineapple sauce, gluten free sweet and sour, easy homemade sauce, Asian sauce recipe