Sweet and Sour Sauce Recipe
Sweet and Sour Sauce is a sauce made by combing a sweet component and a sour component with cornstarch as the thickening agent. Some of the common sweet components are brown sugar, granulated white sugar, and honey. Rice vinegar, white vinegar, apple-cider vinegar, and pineapple juice are some of the common ingredients used as sour component.
This sweet and sour recipe will give you a good sauce with the right balance of flavors.
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Sometimes when we eat fried food, we crave a sauce that can cut through the savory flavors, something to drizzle over fried fish or dip my spring rolls into. So, I ended up making my own sweet and sour sauce recipe, and let me tell you that it was gloriously simple yet addictively flavorful!

Sweet and sour sauce holds a very special place in many Asian households, especially in Chinese-Filipino kitchens like mine. While some recipes online use pineapple juice, bell peppers, or even garlic, I took a simpler approach that highlights the balanced tang and sweetness, without the usual clutter. You typically find this sauce poured over crispy pork or fish, served in festive gatherings, or bottled in the back of the fridge until your next fried craving kicks in.
What is Sweet and Sour Sauce?
In simple terms, sweet and sour sauce is a thick and glossy condiment that balances sugary sweetness with a lip-smacking tang. The name literally tells you what to expect. It originates from Chinese cuisine, specifically Cantonese cooking, and has evolved in various ways around the world, from sticky versions in the U.S. to fruitier takes in the Philippines.
You can often spot this sauce in Chinatown eateries, buffet restaurants, or in Filipino homes during birthdays and holidays, especially if they are serving lumpia. One misconception is that it always has to be bright red or full of pineapple chunks, not true! The color depends largely on the ketchup used, and it doesnโt need tropical fruit to make it sing.
Ingredient and Purpose
- Brown sugar (4 tablespoons) – Provides that rich, deep sweetness that balances the tang.
- Tomato ketchup (2 1/2 tablespoons) – Adds color, tang, and umami for that familiar flavor base.
- Rice vinegar or white vinegar (1/3 cup) – Brings in the bright sour element that makes the sauce come alive.
- Soy sauce (1/2 teaspoon) – Gives that savory undertone and boosts the overall flavor.
- Cornstarch dissolved in water (2 teaspoons cornstarch in 5 teaspoons water) – Thickens the sauce into that glossy, clingy texture we all love.
How To Make Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Mix the Key Ingredients – Start by combining 4 tablespoons of brown sugar, 2 1/2 tablespoons of tomato ketchup, 1/3 cup of vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon of soy sauce in a bowl. Stir using a whisk or fork until well-blended. Skipping this step might cause uneven sweetness or tang in your sauce.
- Prepare Your Thickener – In a separate small bowl, dissolve 2 teaspoons of cornstarch in 5 teaspoons of water. This slurry will be the magic behind that thick texture. Not dissolving properly can lead to lumps that ruin the sauceโs consistency.
- Heat It Up – Pour the mixed ingredients into a saucepan. Put it over medium heat and stir gently as it begins to simmer. Rushing this process may burn the sugar, giving a bitter taste.
- Bring It to a Boil – Let the sauce boil for a minute or two, still stirring occasionally. This allows the vinegar to mellow out while the sugar caramelizes slightly.
- Add the Slurry – Pour in the cornstarch mixture while stirring. Keep stirring to avoid clumps and ensure the cornstarch spreads evenly.
- Watch It Thicken – Continue to stir until the sauce thickens to a glossy, smooth texture. This usually takes a couple of minutes. If it thickens too fast, you may need to lower the heat or add a splash of water.
- Cool and Serve – Turn off the heat and transfer your sweet and sour sauce to a serving bowl. Allow it to cool slightly before serving. Dunk that fried food into your finished sweet and sour recipe result!
Tips & Tricks
- Add chili flakes for a spicy kick. If you want a sweet-sour-spicy trifecta, just add 1/4 teaspoon of chili flakes during the boiling process. It kicks up the flavor without changing the base too much.
- Use apple cider vinegar for a fruity twist. This brings in a rounded sour flavor that is more mellow than white vinegar.
- Store in an airtight jar for up to a week. It actually gets better the next day as the flavors meld. Just reheat it slightly before serving again.
- Avoid over-thickening. If you boil the sauce too long after adding the cornstarch, it might turn into jelly instead of a pourable sauce.
Best Way to Enjoy Sweet and Sour Sauce
You know it is a good day when you want to dunk everything into sweet and sour sauce. The best time to enjoy this? Sunny afternoons with spring rolls on the side or sunny Sundays when you are firing up some fried fish. Serve them warm on small dipping sauce plates and give one each to your loved ones. This way, double-dipping will suddenly feel like a necessity!
How This Sweet and Sour Sauce Stands Out
Most recipes I saw online include pineapple chunks or juice, or call for bell peppers sautรฉed beforehand. While these versions have their charm, I trimmed it down to the essentials. No chopping fruits, no sweating veggies. Just five ingredients you can grab with one trip to your pantry. By ditching the distractions, we allow the sugar-vinegar combo to be featured. This makes it perfect for those who love strong flavors but have no time, or patience, for complex prep.
What to Have with Sweet and Sour Sauce
Golden spring rolls are a perfect pair for a sweet and sour sauce. Anything that’s crispy outside, savory inside, and just begging for that dip. Fried fish fillets, tofu bites, chicken nuggets, or even grilled shrimp also shine when kissed with this sauce. My personal favorite combo? Hot steamed rice, breaded pork or fish, and a generous drizzle of this sauce. Add in some iced tea and thatโs a five-star lunch in my book.
Suggested Recipes
Tongue starts craving for more? Here are a few more recipes thatโll play well with our sauce.
- Sweet and Sour Tofu – Light and nutrient-packed, this no-meat elegance is elegance. Budget friendly too. The taste of tofu, blank canvas, perfectly complements the flavors of the sauce.
- Hot and Sour Soup – If you are feeling a bit under the weather or just want a hot bowl of zing, this soup has got the same tangy attitude with a warm hug.
- Sweet and Sour Pork – The classic match made in heaven. It is like the sauce finally found its soulmate in crispy pork bites.
So if you are like me, forever in love with flavor combos, these recipes should absolutely be next on your list. Now go on, splash that sweet and think.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we can see your creations!

Sweet and Sour Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar (see notes1)
- 2 1/2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar or white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in 5 teaspoons of water
Instructions
- Combine the sugar, ketchup, vinegar, and soy sauce in a bowl.4 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 1/2 tablespoons tomato ketchup, 1/3 cup rice vinegar or white vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
- Mix the combined ingredients using a balloon whisk or fork.
- Heat a saucepan then pour-in the sugar-ketchup-vinegar-soy sauce mixture. Stir once in a while and bring to a boil.
- Pour-in the cornstarch diluted in water then continue stirring until the texture becomes thick.2 teaspoon cornstarch
- Turn of the heat and transfer the sweet and sour sauce to a sauce bowl then serve.
Notes
- Brown Sugar – Use light brown sugar for a more subtle sweetness and easier melting.
- Boiling Cornstarch Slurry – Make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved before adding; undissolved starch causes clumps. Do not overboil after adding slurry or it may turn jelly-like.
Tacy says
This is delicious!
Ron says
Can I use tomato sauce instead of tomato ketchup?
jonalyn says
hi! What is white vinegar? My husband really loves lumpia so i want to prepare it for him with sweet and sour sauce.. Thanks!
Declan says
lovely, lush and georgiours
roland says
Thanks for you invaluable contribution to every filipino food enthusiasts at home and abroad. Mabuhay ang Panlasang Pinoy at sa lahat ng bumubuo nito. God bless you all.
Carrie says
Pede po bang pang substitute ang tapioca starch sa cornstarch?
marian says
_thanks poh sah info ‘out how to make sweet and sour sauce for lumpiang shanghai..ngtry poh coh ng una..experiment lang poh..i used fLour instead of cornstarch and banana catsup instead of tmato..hahaha..imagine nio poh ang lasa..haha..kakasuka..! pero bcoz of ur recipe dat won’t happen again.. wg poh kaung mgsasawa sah pagpopost ng mga recipes..Godbless…=)
bevs says
thank u sir..ang dali lang pala..God bless u more!
miracle says
thanks for sharing your recipes. do you know where I can buy the ingredients for making ham?
ailyn says
hi, thanks sa panlasang pinoy, dami kong natututunan. good job
Grace says
npadami ata cornstarch ko kaya super lapot..i tried pouring in water but tumabang naman,,hhaayy sira ang dinner, we end up with fried breaded pork and ketsup ๐
anne says
Kuya…..ito din po ba yung sweet and sour sauce para sa lumpiang shanghai??
Panlasang Pinoy says
Anne, you may use this sa Lumpiang Shanghai.
aures says
Hi,
I tried your siomai recipe and it was great. You taught us the secret that it tasted like the one prepared by my a close friend who do not want to share the recipe. thank you so much. I blogged in a diff recipe -- sorry.
I am waiting for the HUMBA -- and camaron rebodsado pls.
thanks
aures
Aura says
Hi,
Can you please show us how to maka “Tamales”.
Thanks,
aura
MindanaoBabe says
ay ganito lang pala:)