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    Home » Recipes

    5-ingredients Healthy Sweet and Sour Sauce

    Published: Jan 5, 2022 by Jomelyn · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Make your own healthy sweet and sour sauce in 5 minutes with only 5 ingredients. It has a perfect balance of sweetness and sour flavor. You can use this as a dipping sauce or adding it to may of your favorite Asian recipes and is one of the most versatile condiments not only in Chinese Cuisine but also around the world.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    Honey - It gives you the sweet flavor. I prefer honey to sweeten the sauce and for health benefits. Feel free to use brown or white sugar with equal measurement or more if you prefer a sweeter version.

    Vinegar - It gives a sour flavor. I prefer the taste of this sauce with regular white vinegar, but apple cider vinegar or pineapple, or orange juice will also work if that’s what you have on hand.

    Ketchup - Adds bright red color and the extra punch of sweet and sour flavor. Tomato sauce or tomato paste is a great substitute. Use the same amount if you use tomato sauce. For tomato paste, just use a teaspoon.

    Tapioca Powder - To thicken the sauce. You can also use an equal amount of cornstarch.

    Tamari Sauce - Tamari is a healthy alternative. We need tamari or use soy sauce to season this condiment. You can also use a pinch of salt as a substitution.

    How to make it?

    Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan, stir until everything is mixed together and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and use immediately or let it cool down and transfer into an air-tight container.

    One of my favorite ways to use this is a dipping sauce for lumpia. Also, I love to pour this sauce into fried fish, chicken, or shrimp.

    Make ahead and storage

    You can make this anytime in advance and store it in a mason jar or air-tight container for 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator.

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    healthy-sweet-and-sour-sauce

    5-ingredients Healthy Sweet and Sour Sauce

    Jomelyn Mauermann
    Make your own healthy sweet and sour sauce in 5 minutes with just 5 ingredients. It has a perfect balance of sweetness and sour flavor. You can use this as a dipping sauce or adding it to may of your favorite Asian recipes
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Pin
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Course condiments, sauce
    Cuisine Asian, Chinese
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 75 kcal

    Equipment

    1 Saucepan

    Ingredients
      

    • ¼ cup white vinegar
    • ½ cup water
    • 1 tablespoon tapioca powder
    • ¼ cup honey
    • 1 ½ tablespoon tamari sauce or soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon ketchup

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium size saucepan, combine vinegar, water, tapioca powder, tamari sauce, ketchup and honey. Use spatula or whisk and mix well to combine.
    • Bring the sauce to a boil over medium heat. Stirring often until it thickens. Remove from the heat to use immediately or cool it down completely before storing it in the fridge.

    Notes

    Cook's Tip

    To make this sauce hot and spicy, sprinkle some cayenne powder, chili powder, or Korean chili flakes.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4servingsCalories: 75kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 1gFat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 414mgPotassium: 36mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 19IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.3mg
    Keyword sweet and sour sauce
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nora

      January 28, 2022 at 12:47 am

      5 stars
      Perfect for lumpia and everything else. I am making this soon. Thank you for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Jomelyn

        February 22, 2022 at 4:53 am

        Thanks!

        Reply
    2. Clara

      August 28, 2022 at 7:09 pm

      5 stars
      This sweet and sour sauce is a bomb!!!

      Reply
    3. Mateo

      September 11, 2022 at 2:59 am

      5 stars
      So good and easy to make. Thanks for sharing this.

      Reply
    4. Gabby

      September 25, 2022 at 4:36 pm

      5 stars
      Yum yum yum! Easy to make sweet and sour sauce.

      Reply
    5. Justin

      January 14, 2023 at 6:13 pm

      5 stars
      One of the best healthy sweet and sour sauce. Thanks to your recipe, I make my own sauce instead of the store brought.

      Reply
    6. Joy

      April 01, 2023 at 6:55 pm

      5 stars
      Love how i can make my own sweet and sour sauce cheaper and healthier.

      Reply
    5 from 9 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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