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You are here: Home / Sauces & Dips / 4 Ingredient Sweet and Sour Sauce

4 Ingredient Sweet and Sour Sauce

Published By Victoria · On: Feb 15, 23 · Updated: Mar 16, 24

206 shares
  • 9

Crafted from just ketchup, oyster sauce, vinegar, and honey, this sweet and sour sauce can level up your meals. Its unique blend of sweet and tangy flavors makes it an ideal complement for stir-fries, dipping sauces, and beyond. Enjoy it alongside various dishes to add that special touch (serving suggestions included!)

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Close look of a transparent bowl with sweet and sour sauce.

I’m all for quick fixes in the kitchen, especially when it means ditching those store-bought sauces. You never really know what’s in them, right? And tweaking the taste? Forget about it.

So, here’s the deal: I’ve got this four-ingredient sweet and sour sauce that’s ridiculously easy to throw together. Seriously, a few minutes and you’re golden.

Chances are, you’ve already got everything you need in your pantry. It’s just that simple.

Mixing these few ingredients together? Magic. You get this tasty, balanced sauce that’s good for pretty much anything. Stir-fry, dipping, you name it.

Let’s dive into making this sauce. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.

Table of Contents hide
🥰 Why You Will Love This Recipe?
🥘 Ingredients and Substitutes
👩‍🍳 Step-by-step Directions
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
😻 Other Sauce Recipes You May Enjoy
🏆 Expert Tips. What to Pay Attention To?
Answering Your Questions:
📋 Recipe Card:

🥰 Why You Will Love This Recipe?

It’s like a Swiss Army knife for the kitchen. Stir-fries, dips, marinades—you name it, it works.

Also, yo’ll love this recipe because it’s super simple. You need just four ingredients, and it comes together in minutes. It’s my go-to when I’m pressed for time but still want something tasty for my meals.

And ingredients-wise, we’re talking about stuff you probably already have. Don’t have something? No biggie, just swap it out. It’s that flexible.

🥘 Ingredients and Substitutes

Honey, red wine vinegar, ketchup and oyster sauce on a white table.
  • Honey. For the honey, if you’re out or just not a fan, any syrup works as a sweet swap. Might need to play with the amount a bit. Or, mix some sugar with water as a quick fix.
  • Vinegar. I went with red wine vinegar, but honestly, any vinegar you’ve got will do the trick. Rice vinegar? Chef’s kiss.
  • Oyster Sauce. In case if you don’t have oyster sauce you can swap it with teriyaki or soy sauce can step in. Just watch the salt, or you’ll end up with a salt lick instead of a sauce.
  • Ketchup.

👩‍🍳 Step-by-step Directions

Grab a small saucepan and start with the honey, pouring it right in.

Pouring honey in a small sauce pan on the stove.

Next up, squirt in the ketchup.

Pouring ketchup in a small sauce pan on the stove.

Then, it’s time for the oyster sauce. Just add that into the mix.

Pouring teriyaki sauce in a saucepan on the stove.

Finish off with the vinegar, and turn the heat down low.

Pouring red wine vinegar in a small sauce pan on the stove.

Here, you might want to add a bit of water to get the consistency you like. Keep stirring until it begins to boil. Once it does, kill the heat and let it cool off.

Sauce pan with boiled sweet and sour sauce on the stove.

And there you have it. Once it’s cooled down, it’s ready to be served with whatever you’re craving.

Pouring sweet and sour sauce from a tablespoon in a transparent bowl.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

I love using this sauce as a dip for pretty much anything crunchy, like chicken nuggets, shrimp, or spring rolls.

It’s also killer as a marinade for chicken, pork, or shrimp. Just let the meat soak in it for a few hours before you grill or bake it.

And for stir-fries? It’s the perfect finishing touch. Doesn’t matter if it’s veggies, chicken, beef, or tofu, it just works.

I’ve even mixed it with a bit of olive oil and used it as a salad dressing. Gives a nice kick to a mixed greens salad.

Oh, and it’s great on sandwiches or burgers, especially with chicken or pork. Just spread it on, and you’re good to go.

😻 Other Sauce Recipes You May Enjoy

  • 4 Ingredient Fresh Basil Pesto
  • Homemade Greek Tzatziki Sauce
  • Easy Homemade Bistro Sauce
  • Easy Garlic Soy Sauce
  • 4 Ingredient Homemade BBQ Sauce

🏆 Expert Tips. What to Pay Attention To?

Tweak the sweet and sour levels to hit your sweet spot. Play around with the honey and vinegar amounts to dial it in just right. Start with what I suggest and then go from there, adding more if you need to.

And a heads up—don’t let this sauce out of your sight while it’s on the stove. It has a sneaky habit of burning if you’re not careful. Medium heat and constant stirring are your best bets to avoid a charred mess.

Answering Your Questions:

Can I adjust the sweetness or sourness of the sauce?

Absolutely, just play around with the honey and vinegar. More honey if you like it sweeter, more vinegar for a sharper tang. Give it a taste and adjust until it’s just right for you.

What if I switch up the vinegar?

Sure thing, go for it. Rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar can mix things up, though the sauce might taste a bit different. Just remember to balance out the sweet and sour as you like it after the swap.

Can I whip this up in advance?

Yeah, you can make this sauce ahead of time. Just pop it in an airtight container and stash it in the fridge for up to a week. If it thickens up too much, just warm it up before you use it.

What if I’m out of oyster sauce?

No worries. Soy sauce or hoisin sauce can step in as a pinch hitter. Just keep in mind the sauce’s taste will change a bit. Adjust the amount you use to fit your taste buds.

Can I use this sauce for a stir-fry?

For sure, it’s great in a stir-fry. Just toss it into the pan with your veggies and protein. Let it simmer for a bit until it thickens up and gets everything nicely coated. Add as much or as little as you like.

📋 Recipe Card:

Close look of a transparent bowl with sweet and sour sauce.

4 Ingredient Sweet and Sour Sauce

Victoria
This simple 4-ingredients is a delicious, sweet, and sour flavor to add a delicious flavor to any stir-fries, dipping sauces, marinades, and more. A balanced blend of tangy and sweet flavors will become a staple in your kitchen.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
Prep Time 3 minutes mins
Cook Time 7 minutes mins
Course Sauces
Cuisine Chinese, Japanese
Servings 6
Calories 59 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 5 tablespoons Honey
  • 4 tablespoons Water
  • 2 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1 ½ tablespoon Oyster Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Ketchup
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Instructions

  • Take a small saucepan in which it will be convenient for you to mix the ingredients for the sauce.
  • Pour all the ingredients into it.
    5 tablespoons Honey, 4 tablespoons Water, 2 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar, 1 ½ tablespoon Oyster Sauce, 1 tablespoon Ketchup
  • Set the heat to low and cook the sauce.
  • Stir continuously until the sauce begins to boil.
  • Stop the heat and let the sauce to cool down.

Quick Note

I highly recommend reading the entire recipe to find more tips and notes about this recipe. Read Full Recipe ⇑

Notes

 
  • Since we’re working with just four ingredients, picking good-quality ones really matters here; it makes a huge difference in the final taste of the sauce.
  • Give it a taste and tweak the sweetness or sourness until it’s just right for you. Don’t be afraid to play around with the honey and vinegar ratios.
  • And keep that spoon moving! This sauce can go from perfect to burnt in no time if you’re not careful.

Nutrition Estimates

Calories: 59kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 147mgPotassium: 21mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 13IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 1mg
Keyword sauces
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Filed Under: Sauces & Dips, Stovetop

About Victoria

With 15 years of culinary expertise, Victoria offers easy-to-follow recipes using just 4 ingredients. These delightful dishes exemplify simplicity in the kitchen.

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