Sweet and Sour Sauce

Name: Sweet and Sour Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 0
Ingredients: Tomato paste 8 ½ tbsp; Sugar 0.6 cup; Water 2.1 cups; White wine vinegar ½ cup; Fresh chili pepper optional 2; Potato starch ¼ cup; Water 4 spoonfuls

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Calories per serving

Gluten Free
Lactose Free
Vegetarian
Vegan

Energy Kcal 32
Carbohydrates g 8
of which sugars g 6.7
Protein g 0.1
Fiber g 0.1
Sodium mg 2

Difficulty: Very easy
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Makes: persone
Cost: Low

PRESENTATION

Recipe by
Chef Mulan

Sweet and sour sauce is a real staple in Chinese cuisine, popping up in everything from crispy spring rolls to the classic pork or chicken dishes. What’s really special about this homemade sweet and sour sauce is its simple mix. I mean, a blend of tomato paste, sugar and wine vinegar creates a flavor that's both tangy and sweet. And it's not too salty or acidic—just right. People often use it as a dip for things like dragon clouds—those light, crispy prawn crackers—or for dunking fried wontons. And look, there are lots of regional variations. Some parts of China like it more sweet or with extra vinegar for a sharper kick. For sure, this easy sweet and sour sauce recipe always brings something special.

In Chinese restaurants, you know, you’ll often spot a little bowl of sweet and sour sauce right beside your plate. Its versatility is what makes it super popular. It pairs well with fried shrimp, battered chicken, or crunchy spring rolls—adding excitement to each bite. Truthfully, many love that you can whip up sweet and sour sauce without pineapple—focusing on those base ingredients. Tomato paste adds color and depth, while sugar and vinegar tackle the tangy, moist texture. Perfect, right? Whether you’re dunking tempura shrimp or spooning this Chinese dipping sauce over dumplings, you get that quick hit of sweet and sour flavors.

This sauce isn't just for fancy dinners—it works for snacks, family meals, or even jazzing up leftovers. Really, anyone who tries this quick sweet and sour sauce at home will probably end up using it on way more dishes than they expected. Seriously good. It's all about the balance and simplicity, which is why it’s such a kitchen favorite. And here's the thing—it just works.

INGREDIENTS

Calories per serving

For about 1 1/4 cups of sauce: Tomato paste 8 ½ tbsp (130 g); Sugar 0.6 cup (125 g); Water 2.1 cups (500 g); White wine vinegar ½ cup (125 g); Fresh chili pepper 2 - optional

To thicken: Potato starch ¼ cup (35 g); Water 4 spoonfuls

Preparation

How to prepare Sweet and Sour Sauce

To make the sweet and sour sauce, first pour the water into a wok or small saucepan 1 and bring it to a boil, then add the sugar 2 and the tomato paste 3.

Also add the vinegar and mix well with a whisk as you bring everything back to a boil 4. Meanwhile, place the cornstarch in a separate small bowl, add 4 tablespoons of water 5, and mix the mixture with a spoon 6.

Give the mixture a final stir and pour it into the sauce on the stove little by little 7, continuing to stir with the whisk for a few minutes 8. At this point, the sauce is ready to be served 9.

For a spicy variant, finely chop some red chili 10 and add it directly to the sauce 11. Enjoy the sweet and sour sauce with your favorite Chinese dishes 12!

Storage

The sweet and sour sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for about 3 days, in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Chef Mulan: Authentic Tradition

Chef Mulan of Mulan Group, the Zhang family business that has been operating in Chinese gastronomy for over twenty years: iconic dishes and many delicacies made as they would be at home. This makes them unique: an artisanal production that combines the genuineness of a homemade meal and the authenticity of tradition. The attention dedicated to manual processing is perceived in the natural taste and quality of the details. From the method of closing Chinese dumplings to the meticulous cooking processes of traditional ingredients, everything is done according to the ancient oriental culinary art.