Try these delicious and easy Recipes with Sweet and Sour Sauce at home!
We have something for everyone, from meaty dishes like pork and chicken to refreshing vegetable options like radish salad and crispy tofu.
What is Sweet and Sour Sauce?
Sweet and sour sauce is a condiment in Asian cuisine known for its sweet and sour flavors and glossy red color.
It's prevalent in Chinese American takeout, where it's used to coat deep-fried foods like pork, chicken, and fish.
Sweet and Sour Uses
- Glaze for deep-fried foods and grilled or roasted meats.
- Dipping sauce for tofu, chicken strips, and spring rolls.
- Dressing for salads.
- Drizzled over seafood dishes.
1. Sweet and Sour Pork
This is one of the most popular recipes with sweet and sour sauce on Chinese takeout menus. It features tender, crispy pork coated in a sweet and tangy sauce.
This recipe uses a double-dredge and double-frying method for the absolute crispiest skin. Cornstarch is used in place of some of the flour to make a lighter crust.
Serve it with rice and a side of vegetables!
2. Sweet and Sour Chicken Wings
These chicken wings are super crispy and come with a homemade sweet and sticky glaze.
To achieve extra crispy skin, you must air dry the chicken wings in the refrigerator for 8 hours before frying.
The sauce is sublime. It's made with white vinegar, brown sugar, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, raspberry, or strawberry jam.
If you don't have pineapple juice, don't fret; you can use another fruity liquid as a replacement.
Go to recipe
3. Peking Style Pork Chops
This pork recipe is sweet, sticky, and flavorful. It's an Americanized "Chinese" dish, but everyone can enjoy it!
This recipe uses maple syrup as a sweetener, giving a hint of maple flavor to complement the tangy sauce.
Serve this dish with a plate of steaming rice for a luxurious Chinese "fake out" meal at home.
4. Crispy Shrimp
Sweet and sour shrimp is a takeout favorite, but making it at home is even better. The sauce is tastier, and you can customize it to suit your preferences.
And the best part is that it only takes 10 minutes to prepare this quick and easy dish!
Serve this recipe with bell peppers, green onions, and broccoli, and you have the most delicious recipe.
5. Sweet and Sour Cauliflower
This recipe is an easy vegan meal that will satisfy your chicken cravings! It's a quick and simple choice for busy weeknight dinners!
First, coat cauliflower florets with oil, cornstarch, salt, and pepper, and then bake them in a hot oven for 15 minutes. After that, make the sauce and pour it over the cauliflower. It's that easy!
If you have vegan friends or family, this recipe is a winner!
6. Saucy Meatballs
These tasty, quick, and simple meatballs can be baked or air-fried and come with sweet pineapple and stir-fried vegetables.
Made with juicy ground beef and a tasty sweet-tangy sauce, they're great for a fast dinner or easy party food.
The kids adore them, and you can serve them with steamed rice or noodles.
7. Sweet and Sour Fish
This recipe is super quick, ready in under 20 minutes, and there's no need for deep-frying or complex steps. It's one of the most elegant dishes for special occasions or the Chinese New Year feast.
This dish is incredibly easy – just dust the fish with cornstarch, chop the fresh ingredients, add hot oil to the fish, then combine everything in a pot, cover, and cook.
Kids love the flavor of the sauce!
8. Crispy Tofu
For a quick and easy weeknight meal, make this crispy tofu with a sweet and sour sauce featuring pineapple juice!
To get that extra crispy tofu skin, you'll need to double-fry it, so it's a good idea to prep it ahead of time. But trust me, the delicious results are worth it!
Share this with your vegan friends and family; they'll ask for the recipe! I've served it at many events, and it's always a big hit.
Go to recipe
9. Musaengchae (Radish Salad)
This is a straightforward Korean side dish made with Korean radish. The radish is thinly sliced and mixed with sugar, vinegar, and some salt. It's super simple and delicious!
This dish's crunch, sweetness, and sourness are so refreshing! It pairs well with meaty dishes like Honey Garlic Ribs or Pork skewers.
10. Sweet and Sour Noodles
This dish combines pork and noodles in a homemade sweet and sour sauce. It's a one-of-a-kind recipe that combines two popular Chinese takeout items.
The tangy and sweet sauce complements the smooth egg noodles, and you can enjoy it as a side dish or a main course.
This will become one of your favorite recipes with sweet and sour sauce!
11. Chinese Ribs
This Chinese rib recipe is simple, with just eight ingredients, but it's bursting with authentic flavors. You'll love the delicious sauce!
For this recipe, you'll need baby back ribs, rice vinegar, sugar, salt, soy sauce, rice wine, and cooking oil. Boil the ribs for at least 30 minutes to make them soft and tender.
It takes a bit of time, but it's worth it. Your whole family will enjoy this tasty Chinese dish!
12. Tangsuyuk
Tangsuyuk, also known as Korean sweet and sour pork, is a popular dish in Korea. It combines sweet and tangy flavors to make the pork incredibly delicious.
The sauce is made from pineapple juice, soy sauce, vinegar, water, and sugar. Plus, they add vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers to make it extra crunchy.
13. Homemade Chicken Balls
These Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls feature crispy, golden outsides and tender, juicy chicken pieces covered in a tasty sweet and sour sauce.
First, create the tangy sauce using ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch.
Next, prepare a batter with flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and spices. Coat the chicken pieces and deep-fry them until they turn golden brown.
Finish by sprinkling some salt and serving hot with the sweet and sour sauce!
14. Sweet And Sour Lamb Chops
In just 2 hours, you can enjoy these spicy, sweet, and tangy Chinese-style Lamb Chops.
Marinate the lamb chops, coat them in a crispy cornstarch and tapioca flour crust, and then fry them. Stir-fry red chiles, ginger, star anise, scallions, and garlic until fragrant, then add the lamb and the sauce.
Serve with steamed rice and bok choy for a tasty dinner!
15. Sweet And Sour Fish Fillet
A whole fish can be daunting, so try this fish fillet recipe! A tangy and savory dish ready in 30 minutes.
Marinate the fish fillets in calamansi juice, salt, pepper, and MSG, then coat them with cornstarch, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs.
Fry them until they're crispy, then combine all the sauce ingredients and vegetables in a saucepan. Add the fish, and you're good to go!
Garnish it with fresh herbs or sesame seeds and pair it with steamed rice or noodles.
Did you enjoy these recipes with sweet and sour sauce? Be sure to check out the other delicious recipes on this blog by checking out our Recipe Index.
More Recipe Roundups
- 20 Best Recipes With Black Bean Garlic Sauce
- 13 Amazing Chinese Minced Chicken Recipes To Try
- 13 Easy Fermented Bean Curd Recipes
- 13 Best Recipes with Chili Garlic Sauce
