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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
