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Sweet and sour chicken sauce in a bowl with pineapple and pepper chunks.
Simple and tasty sauce for grilled or fried chicken

Classic Sweet and Sour Sauce

Author: Flavelo
Sauces and Gravies Recipes
The star of Chinese buffets, now homemade without preservatives or MSG. This sauce is the art of balance: tropical sweetness from pineapple and sharp acidity from rice vinegar form the backbone, deepened by tomato. The result is a glossy, clingy sauce phenomenal on chicken, crispy vegetables, or shrimp.
🕒 Prep Time 10 mins
🍳 Cook Time 15 mins
⌛ Total Time 25 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 180 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Asian

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Wok or Deep Skillet: For cooking.
  • Small Bowl & Fork: For the slurry.
  • Knife & Board: For chopping.

Allergen Information

⚠️ Soy
⚠️ Wheat (check soy sauce)

Instructions

1 ✓

Mix the cold water and cornstarch in a small bowl until completely smooth and milky. Set aside.

Tip: Cornstarch clumps in hot water instantly (gelatinization); making a cold 'slurry' first prevents this.
2 ✓

Seed the pepper and cut into 1-inch squares. Drain pineapple chunks if needed.

Tip: Uniform size ensures even cooking for both aesthetics and texture.
3 ✓

In the skillet, combine tomato puree, pineapple juice, sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

Tip: Soy sauce provides the 'umami' savory base that gives depth to the sweetness.
4 ✓

Slowly drizzle the cornstarch slurry into the boiling sauce while stirring constantly. Cook 1-2 minutes until thickened and glossy.

Tip: Cornstarch needs to boil to activate its thickening power and remove any starchy taste.
5 ✓

Toss in the bell pepper and pineapple. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, just until heated through but still crunchy.

Tip: Asian cuisine prizes texture: vegetables should be 'al dente', not soft.
6 ✓

Serve immediately over fried chicken pieces or with rice.

Tip: The sauce will thicken further as it cools.

Recipe FAQ

Why is my sauce lumpy?
You likely added cornstarch to warm water or poured it too fast into hot liquid. Always mix with cold water first and pour slowly.
No rice vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is the best substitute as it shares a fruity base note.
Can I use fresh pineapple?
Yes, it's even better! But you'll still need some juice for the sweetness/liquid base.

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup Tomato Puree (or Passata)
  • 3/4 cup 100% Pineapple Juice
  • 2 tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Rice Vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup Water (cold)
  • 1 medium Red Bell Pepper
  • 1/2 cup Canned Pineapple Chunks