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READY IN 20 mins

Sweet and Sour Sauce II

Read Reviews (217)

"This simple sweet and sour sauce is delicious with egg rolls, spring rolls and other Asian-inspired delicacies. The pineapple tidbits may be omitted. Alter the amount of cornstarch as needed to obtain desired consistency." — myrite

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Original recipe makes 6 cups Change Servings

2 cups water
2/3 cup distilled white vinegar
1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 (8 ounce) can pineapple tidbits, drained
3 tablespoons cornstarch

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Directions

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix together water, distilled white vinegar, white sugar, tomato paste, pineapple tidbits and cornstarch. Cook, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes, or until mixture reaches desired color and consistency.

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PREP 5 mins
COOK 15 mins
READY IN 20 mins

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Reviews More Reviews

Most Helpful Positive Review

Mar 23, 2007

I tweaked this recipe a bit based on what was in my pantry (no paste-used sauce). I also added soy sauce (2T) and used the juice from a can of pineapples as part of the water. I also let this simmer for about 20 minutes before I added the cornstarch. My VERY picky 8 yr old (whom this was made for) thought it was better than the sweet and sour sauce from (insert fast food restaurant name here ):) so it was absolutely a success and will be made again. To reiterate another reviewer - cornstarch must be mixed with a little water/juice before adding to recipes. Also bring it to a full boil after adding to get it to thicken. Thank you!

—ROBBIN58

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Most Helpful Critical Review

May 08, 2007

Well, this recipe DID get a great review from a lot of people. However, I did not find it to my taste. I think the tomato paste was too much. Maybe adding 1/3 of the actual paste might help. Some tips with cornstarch, because I saw a few people had clumps of it. Cornstarch reacts with hot liquids and balls up. To fix this blend it with cold/cool water (or in some recipes) the vinegar first. This will prevent the balling. Also don't put all 3 tbsp in at once. I usually do one at a time, stir it until blended and then do the next one. This will prevent any balling up as well. I think with some modifications this could be a great recipe! The thickness was great and the pineapple chunks are just delicious. This would go great with deep fried pork or chicken!

—C. Tess

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264 Ratings

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Apr 19, 2007

Awesome sauce! I did as other reviewers suggested and used the pineapple juice (into which I mixed 3 heaping tablespoons of corn starch) and soy sauce. I simmered it for 20 minutes. My family loved it! A keeper for sure!Thank you

—KimW

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Jun 17, 2008

Terrific S&S sauce! I added some soy sauce for depth & saltiness and some chopped green onion and bell pepper and it turned out just as I like it(and my kids RAVED about it!). I was skeptical about using tomato paste because all other recipes I had seen used ketchup for the "red", but it was really very good. For those of you who worry about it being too tomatoey - it tastes just like really good Sweet & Sour from the Chinese restaurant. Thank you.

—NIKKILOU1

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Jun 20, 2003

This is a great recipe! I used 8 ounces of tomato sauce because I didn't have any tomato paste on hand. Also used 8 ounces of crushed pineapple instead of tidbits for the same reason. :) I added this sauce to a basic chicken stir fry recipe and served it over rice. Yummy!!!

—HARMONYRN

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Jul 09, 2007

This is so quick and easy! I use the pineapple juice from the tidbits and add water to make 2 cups. (sometimes I half the recipe as it makes quite a bit) I also use ketchup in place of the tomato paste, it adds an extra zing. While the sauce is cooking, I bake some breaded chicken pieces and sautee some bell peppers and onions. Mix it all together and serve over hot rice for a "20 minute meal".

—YELLEPHANT

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May 08, 2003

I absolutely LOVED this recipe. I have never had sweet and sour sauce better anywhere, in a jar or at a restuarant. I usually have trouble getting things to thicken for some reason, so I was worried about this the sauce thickening enough to use. I didn't have to worry at all. It tasted delicous and was the perfect consistency. I used tomato sauce because I didn't have tomato paste. I also stained out the pineapple because I didn't like the fact of eating the pineapple in the sauce. Great recipe Debbie!

—Stephanie

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Jan 11, 2006

This sauce is great. It was my first attempt at homemade swwet & sour sauce and I must say I was a bit apprehensive! I cut the recipe in half (there are just the two of us) and it still made plenty. I also used Splenda instead of sugar and you couldn't tell the difference. The only reason I didn't rate this a 5 star was because I had to strain the cornstarch lumps out of the sauce. I would definitely recommend mixing the cornstarch with water first before adding. Otherwise the flavor, color and consistency of the sauce was awesome. I also used it with the pork patties submitted by Linda on this site and my husband has now requested this combo be a regular in our house. We will never buy store-bought sweet & sour sauce again. Thanks for the post!

—TWINKIEPHOUN

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Nutrition

Calories
32 kcal
2%

Carbohydrates
8.1 g
3%

Cholesterol
0 mg
0%

Fat
0 g
< 1%

Fiber
0.2 g
< 1%

Protein
0.2 g
< 1%

Sodium
28 mg
1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Sweet and Sour Sauce II

Serving Size: 1/48 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 48
Amount Per Serving
** Calories: 32
** Calories from Fat: < 1

% Daily Value *
** Total Fat 0g < 1 %
** Saturated Fat 0g < 1 %
** Cholesterol 0mg 0 %
** Sodium 28mg 1 %
** Potassium 42mg 1 %
** Total Carbohydrates 8.1g 3 %
** Dietary Fiber 0.2g < 1 %
** Protein 0.2g < 1 %
** Sugars 7.4g
** Vitamin A 1 %
** Vitamin C 2 %
** Calcium < 1 %
** Iron 1 %
** Thiamin < 1 %
** Niacin 1 %
** Vitamin B6 < 1 %
** Magnesium < 1 %
** Folate < 1 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.