• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Your Top Source of Filipino Recipes
About
Cooking Schools
Contact
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube

Panlasang Pinoy

Your Top Source of Filipino Recipes

  • New? Start Here
  • All Recipes
  • Course
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Appetizers
    • Dessert
    • Dinner
  • Ingredient
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Beef
    • Turkey
    • Vegetable
    • Fish
    • Rice
    • Egg
    • Tofu
    • Noodles
  • Type
    • Adobo
    • Bread
    • Fried Chicken
    • Sinigang
    • Kilawin
    • Ginataan
    • Kaldereta
Home Recipes

Sweet and Sour Tilapia

Sweet and sour is a combination that originally came from Asia. The Chinese were the ones who originally came up with the thought of mixing these two different flavors. This Sweet and Sour Tilapia Recipe is a good example of this.

4
/5
Jump to Recipe
SharesFacebookPinTweet
By: Vanjo Merano 16 Comments Updated: 1/19/25

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Sweet and sour fish can be prepared using either fish fillet or a whole fish. Grouper (also known as lapu-lapu in the Philippines) is the type of fish commonly used to make this dish. I am using tilapia for this recipe because it is also reasonably priced and it can be easily sourced almost anywhere in the world.

Sweet and Sour Tilapia

This recipe for sweet and sour fish is a keeper for several reasons. I kept it simple and used minimal ingredients. The cooking process can easily be replicated even by novice cooks. And, the result is delicious.

How to Cook Sweet and Sour Fish

Making this dish at home is quick and easy. I also liked how tasty and delicious the outcome was.

Sweet and sour fish cooking steps

Prepare the fish

Make sure that it is properly cleaned. Make incisions on the side of the fish. Apply Knorr Liquid Seasoning on the incisions and in the cavity.

Sweet and Sour Fish - Step 1

Rub until the entire fish is seasoned completely. This single liquid seasoning works wonders. It provides all the flavors that we need. Give it at least 10 minutes so that the fish absorbs the flavors.

Start the frying process

There is nothing fancy in this step. Simply fry both sides of the fish until it turns golden brown. For beginners, make sure that you have a splatter screen on hand to protect yourself from oil splatters.

Sweet and Sour Fish - Step 2

Note that it is best to use medium heat. Let time do the work. You know that it is almost done when the crackling sound of the oil starts to ease. Remove the fried fish from the pan. Put it on a clean plate.

Make the sweet and sour sauce

Start by sautéing onion, garlic, and ginger. Add white vinegar and water. Let the liquid boil before adding the tomato ketchup. Stir until well blended.

Sweet and Sour Fish - Step 3

Add sugar and continue stirring until it dissolves into the mixture. Put the carrot and bell peppers. Continue cooking for 3 minutes before adding the slurry (mixture of cornstarch and 3 tablespoons water). The slurry helps thicken the sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

Combine the fried fish and sauce then serve

Sweet and Sour Fish - Step 4

Add the fried fish. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes and serve with rice.

Tips & Tricks

  • Aside from tilapia, you can use other fish varieties to cook this dish. Here is my recipe for sweet and sour fish using red snapper.
  • Another way of serving this is to arrange the fried fish on a serving plate and simply pour the sweet and sour sauce over it.
  • This is best served with either plain white rice or fried rice. I personally prefer white rice.
Sweet and Sour Tilapia Recipe

Similar Recipes to Try

Sweet and Sour Pork – One of my favorite version, this dish is simply amazing. The bold flavors of the sauce compliments well with the seasoned pork.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs – Homemade meatballs coated in a tangy sweet and sour sauce. Kids can be picky eaters, often preferring fried foods and sticking to familiar flavors. Since meatballs are a favorite among children, this dish is sure to whet their appetite—especially with the addition of sweet pineapple chunks that perfectly complement the savory flavors.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Nuggets – This is what happens when you formally combine chicken nuggets with sweet and sour sauce. It is better than just dipping it in.

Try this Sweet and Sour Tilapia recipe and let me know what you 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 Tilapia
4 from 1 vote

Sweet and Sour Tilapia

Crispy Fried Tilapia cooked in a tasty sweet and sour sauce.
Prep: 10 minutes minutes
Cook: 30 minutes minutes
Print Recipe Rate Recipe
Pin
Email
3 people

Ingredients

  • 2 pieces tilapia cleaned
  • 2 tablespoons Knorr Liquid Seasoning
  • 1 piece red bell pepper julienne
  • 1 piece green bell pepper julienne
  • 1 piece carrot julienne
  • 5 cloves garlic crushed
  • 1 piece onion sliced
  • 2 thumbs ginger julienne
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 cups water
  • 5 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 8 tablespoons tomato ketchup
  • 7 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1 ¼ cup cooking oil
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste
US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Apply Knorr Liquid Seasoning all over the tilapia. Let it stand for 10 minutes so that the fish can absorb the flavor of the seasoning.
  • Heat around 1 cup of cooking oil in a pan. Once the oil gets hot, fry the fish until the color turns golden brown. Flip to fry the opposite side. Remove from the pan. Place on a clean plate. Set aside.
  • Make the sauce by heating 3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a cooking pot. Saute onion and garlic for 10 seconds. Add ginger. Saute for 12 seconds.
  • Pour white vinegar and water. Let boil.
  • Add tomato ketchup. Stir until it completely dilutes in the mixture.
  • Add sugar. Stir until the sugar gets fully incorporated.
  • Put carrots and bell peppers. Cook for 3 minutes.
  • Combine cornstarch and 3 tablespoons water. Mix well. Pour into the cooking pot. Stir until sauce thickens.
  • Season with salt and ground black pepper. Add a piece of tilapia and cook for 3 minutes.
  • Transfer to a serving plate. Serve with rice. Share and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 1063kcal (53%) Carbohydrates: 55g (18%) Protein: 4g (8%) Fat: 94g (145%) Saturated Fat: 7g (35%) Cholesterol: 1mg Sodium: 1062mg (44%) Potassium: 443mg (13%) Fiber: 3g (12%) Sugar: 42g (47%) Vitamin A: 4991IU (100%) Vitamin C: 90mg (109%) Calcium: 39mg (4%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
© copyright: Vanjo Merano

Did you make this?

Tag @PanlasangPinoy on Instagram and be sure to leave a rating!

Rate Recipe
Tag On Instagram

Watch How to Cook Sweet and Sour Tilapia

YouTube video

Vanjo Merano

Vanjo Merano is the creator of PanlasangPinoy.com. His goal is to introduce Filipino Food and Filipino Cuisine to the rest of the world. This blog was the first step that he took.

Read more...

Related Posts

  • Sweet and Sour Sauce Recipe
  • sweet and sour pork recipe
    Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe
  • Sweet and Sour Meatball Recipe
SharesFacebookPinTweet

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

Recipe Rating




  1. Marilou says

    Posted on 3/2/19 at 11:14 pm

    4 stars
    Hi, thank you for sharing this recipe, i just cooked sweet and sour fish using the one you posted and it was perfect!! Thank you and more power to panlasangpinoy!!

    Reply
  2. Regie Mae says

    Posted on 8/16/18 at 12:47 am

    I always visit your site for recipes and my partner loves all the dishes I cook! I can’t thank you enough ????

    Reply
  3. Vanjo Merano says

    Posted on 2/13/12 at 2:53 pm

    Yes.

    Reply
    • michele says

      Posted on 12/23/15 at 5:42 am

      hi Vanjo, could you tell me what you mean (approx) in grams and/or liters when you use the measurement ‘cup’? Thx!

      Reply
  4. Aaronn310 says

    Posted on 9/7/11 at 5:27 am

    what I did was dredge the fish in flour-egg-bread crumbs to add more crisp, then add real tomatoes and a couple of green beans(same cut as the other veggies). The texture is quite nice and made the dish a lil better.

    Reply
  5. liza says

    Posted on 7/20/11 at 4:41 am

    this made our night! It’s my second time to cook Sweet and sour and I made it right this time! So sad that I was not able to take a picture of it. Kinda’ tired of preparing. but thanks anyways for sharing.. =)

    Reply
  6. Jhing says

    Posted on 4/16/11 at 12:28 am

    Thank you for this another recipe..I have learned lots of recipes and tips from you..By the way,can i use tomato sauce instead of tomato paste?..Thank you again and more power!..

    Reply
  7. alvin says

    Posted on 3/9/11 at 1:01 am

    this is perfect for the lenten season.. for those who are to lazy to make the sweet and sour sauce.. i just usually buy a bottle of premade and take it from there.. put a bit more vinegar and sugar..

    Reply
  8. margie says

    Posted on 10/23/10 at 6:23 am

    thanx a lot po for the recipes i received,they’re very useful and really easy to cook.. low on budget pa… again,thank you and more power to panlasang pinoy..!!

    Reply
  9. kat says

    Posted on 10/20/10 at 2:29 am

    thanks again.for tonights recipe. hahaha

    Reply
  10. josette says

    Posted on 10/2/10 at 5:52 pm

    i’ve always loved cooking, your recipes helped me a lot. more power to panlasang pinoy and to you of Course!

    Reply
  11. Lillet says

    Posted on 5/10/10 at 9:07 pm

    I tried this 2 weeks ago and it was a hit!!! it was o so yum-o!!! thanks!

    Reply
  12. Charleze says

    Posted on 3/3/10 at 4:53 pm

    Hi! I just wanted to thank you for sharing this recipe.. My husband really really loved it! More power to you and God bless! =)

    Reply
  13. Michelle says

    Posted on 2/9/10 at 3:28 am

    pwde ba ipalit ang tomato sauce sa tomato paste?

    Reply
  14. frel says

    Posted on 6/25/09 at 3:19 am

    i usually add pineapple…

    Reply
  15. bikay says

    Posted on 4/23/09 at 1:27 am

    thanks for sharing your recipes! keep it up! =)

    Reply

sidebar

bio

Welcome!

As a huge fan of Filipino food, it is my goal to teach people how to cook it using the simplest way possible. Prepare your taste buds for an ultimate showdown of delectable Filipino dishes! Read more…

Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube

Reader Favorites

Chicken Adobo Panlasang Pinoy

Filipino Chicken Adobo Recipe

Leche Flan Recipe

kare kare beef tripe

Kare-Kare Recipe (Beef Tripe)

Pork Sinigang

Sinigang

Receive new recipes by email!

Seasonal

Beef Morcon Recipe

Arroz Valenciana

lechon belly roll recipe

Lechon Belly Roll

Christmas Macaroni Salad

How to Make Macaroni Salad for the Holidays

As Seen In:

good housekeeping
parents
serious eats
livestrong
kitchn
sheknows
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
About
Meet Vanjo
New? Start Here
Browse Recipes
Explore
Ingredient 101
Philippines
Cooking Schools
Privacy Policy
Disclaimers
Contact
© 2025 Panlasang Pinoy
Site Credits
Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top
Back to Top