Preparation Time
- Preparation Time: 5 minutes
- Cooking Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water (cornstarch slurry)
- Optional: Pineapple juice, minced ginger, or minced garlic for added zest
Directions
- Blend Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine water, white vinegar, sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce. For additional flavor, consider adding pineapple juice, minced ginger, or minced garlic.
- Simmer Gracefully: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture begins to simmer.
- Thicken with Elegance: Slowly add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce, stirring continuously. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Adjust Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, thin it with a bit of water or pineapple juice. If too thin, prepare a little more cornstarch slurry and add it to the sauce, allowing it to simmer for another minute.
- Cool and Serve: Let the sauce cool slightly before using it with your favorite dishes. It can be served warm or at room temperature.
Cook Notes
- The consistency of the sauce should be similar to a pourable glaze. Adjust the thickness by varying the amount of slurry or liquid.
Variations
- Keto Version: Substitute sugar with a keto-friendly sweetener and use a reduced-sugar ketchup.
- Low-Carb Version: Use a sugar substitute and low-carb ketchup to reduce the carbohydrate content.
Nutrition Facts (estimated per serving, based on original recipe)
- Calories: 100
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Protein: 0g
Chinese Sweet and Sour Sauce is a quick and easy way to add a burst of flavor to any meal. Whether you’re dipping, glazing, or drizzling, this sauce is sure to impress with its perfect balance of sweet and sour.