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Chinese Sweet and Sour Sauce

The Best Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce

Author: Bianca Zapatka
With this quick and easy recipe you can make the best homemade sweet and sour sauce with chili! It’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, optional soy-free and tastes much better than most ready-made products! Perfect as a sauce or dip for many recipes such as Asian noodles, dumplings, cauliflower nuggets or stir-fry dishes with vegetables, rice and tofu.
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Cook Time 10 mins
Course Basics, Dip, Sauce
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 64.6 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp sesame oil or canola or sunflower oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped
  • 2 tsp ginger chopped
  • 2 small red chili peppers chopped (the amount and type depends on the desired spiciness, *see notes)
  • ½ red bell pepper diced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
  • 1.5 tbsp tamari or soy sauce or coconut aminos, if soy-free
  • 4 tbsp maple syrup or other syrup or sugar
  • ½ cup (120 ml) water
  • 2 tsp cornstarch or tapioca starch
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

*Note: Check out the recipe video + step-by-step instructions above!

  • Heat the oil in a small pan, skillet or pot and sauté the onion for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Then add the garlic, ginger, and chilies and sauté for another 1 minute. Add the bell pepper and continue to sauté for 2-3 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a small container, dissolve the cornstarch in the water. Then stir into the pan along with the rest of the ingredients. Bring the sauce to a boil and simmer for about 1-2 minutes until it thickens.
  • Then optionally blend in a blender (or use an immersion stick blender) until smooth. Season with a little salt and pepper as needed.
  • Pour the sauce into a clean jar or bottle. Seal airtight, let cool and store in the refrigerator.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

  • Chili peppers: You can adjust the heat level as you like by using more or less hot, medium hot or mild red chili peppers or fruity red peppers. Alternatively, you can use dried chili flakes or hot paprika powder.
  • More information about the recipe, including instructions for storing and freezing, are mentioned in the post above!
Nutritions
Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 64.6kcal | Carbohydrates: 13.8g | Protein: 1.2g | Fat: 0.6g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 323.4mg | Potassium: 157.4mg | Fiber: 0.9g | Sugar: 9.6g | Vitamin A: 558.2IU | Vitamin C: 23.7mg | Calcium: 24.9mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Nutrition is calculated automatically and should be used as estimate.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @biancazapatka or tag #biancazapatka!