Description
This Restaurant Style Sweet and Sour Sauce is a vibrant and tangy condiment perfect for dipping, glazing, or enhancing stir-fries. Made with pineapple juice, vinegar, and ketchup, it balances sweetness and acidity beautifully with a smooth, thick texture achieved through a simple cornstarch slurry.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar or white vinegar
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Combine Sauce Base: In a medium saucepan, whisk together pineapple juice, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, and soy sauce until fully blended to create the sauce base.
- Simmer the Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar and merge flavors.
- Prepare Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water thoroughly until smooth to form a slurry that will thicken the sauce.
- Incorporate Slurry: Gradually whisk the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce, stirring constantly to avoid lumps and ensure even thickening.
- Cook Until Thickened: Continue cooking the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until it reaches your desired thick, glossy consistency.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the saucepan from heat, allow the sauce to cool slightly, then serve it as a versatile dip, glaze, or stir-fry sauce.
Notes
- Use rice vinegar for a milder, sweeter flavor or white vinegar for more acidity.
- Adjust sugar amount to your taste preference for sweetness.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the soy sauce used is gluten-free.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Reheat gently, stirring to maintain smooth texture.
