Sweet And Sour Sauce For Dipping

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves: 4 Cuisine: Chinese

Sweet and sour dipping sauce with pineapple, tangy vinegar, soy, and ginger, perfect for appetizers or Asian-inspired dishes, offering a balanced sweet and tangy flavor.

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Ingredients

  • 13 1/2 oz. can pineapple chunks
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
  • 3/4 cup cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. low sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 tsp. ginger
  • 1 chicken bouillon cube

Instructions

  1. Drain the pineapple chunks, reserving the juice.
  2. In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, cider vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, and the chicken bouillon cube.
  3. Add the reserved pineapple juice to the saucepan and stir well.
  4. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and boils.
  5. Add the pineapple chunks and cook for another 2 minutes.
  6. Remove from heat and serve as a dipping sauce.

Tips & Substitutions

For a thicker sauce, increase the cornstarch slightly. You can substitute pineapple chunks with diced mango for a different flavor profile. If you prefer a spicier sauce, add a dash of chili flakes. This sweet and sour sauce works well with various dishes, including Microwave Sweet And Sour Chicken or Ramen Noodle Stir-Fry.

Serving Suggestions

This sweet and sour sauce is perfect for dipping spring rolls, chicken tenders, or fried shrimp. It can also enhance the flavor of grilled meats or be drizzled over stir-fried vegetables. Consider pairing it with Chicken recipes or serving it alongside rice for a complete meal.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. To reheat, simply warm it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water to reach your desired consistency.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Sweet And Sour Sauce For Dipping contains roughly 300 calories, with 3g protein, 73g carbohydrates, and 0g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (41% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (23% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1071mg per serving (47% of the Daily Value).

300 kcal 15% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 3g 6% DV
Total Fat 0.4g 1% DV
Carbs 72.6g 26% DV
Fiber 6.4g 23% DV
Sugar 0.1g

Electrolytes

Sodium 1071.4mg 47% DV
Potassium 322.2mg 7% DV
Cholesterol 0.2mg

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 0.3mcg
Vitamin C 36.6mg 41% DV
Calcium 73.3mg 6% DV
Iron 1.1mg 6% DV
Diet fit High-fiber Under 400 cal Low-fat
Contains Soy

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

Yes, you can use fresh pineapple for a brighter flavor. Just chop it into bite-sized pieces and use the juice from the fresh pineapple in place of the reserved juice from the canned version.

Is there a way to make this sauce less sweet?

To reduce the sweetness, decrease the amount of sugar and increase the vinegar slightly. This will balance the flavors while still keeping the sauce thick and flavorful.

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! This sweet and sour sauce can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge. Just remember to give it a good stir before serving, as it may thicken upon cooling.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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