What is Sweet and Sour Sauce? Tips on How to Shop, Store, and Use It

Sweet and sour sauce is traditionally a thick, bright red sauce that has a hint of sourness. Most commonly associated with Chinese cuisine, sweet and sour sauce is often served with pieces of battered and fried pork or chicken or as a dip for frozen eggrolls, crab rangoon, and fried dough pieces. 

You can easily buy sweet and sour sauce in any supermarket, however, it doesn’t take much to make at home. This versatile condiment can be used as a marinade, glaze, dressing, or dip and pairs perfectly with savory ingredients.

Where does sweet and sour sauce come from?

Sweet and sour sauce, as you may know, originates from China, but did you know it dates back more than 1300 years to the Tang Dynasty? The earliest known record of this tangy sauce is from a menu created in 708 AD. 

The sauce has likely undergone many iterations since then, and even before!

In China, there are several versions of sweet and sour sauces. Some are made from a light vinegar and a little sugar for a very thin and sourer version. It can be drizzled over steamed fish or used as a dipping sauce for pieces of roasted meat. 

The contemporary sweet and sour sauce, which is thick and bright red-orange in color, is made in a wok and cooked for a short time before a plateful of deep-fried pork pieces is tossed in and coated with the sticky sauce.

How is sweet and sour sauce made?

The reddish-orange version of sweet and sour sauce is made with a mixture of white rice vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, dark soy sauce, and Worchestershire sauce. It may also contain oil and cornstarch to help thicken the sauce and help it stick to the deep-fried meat pieces.

The thinner version of sweet and sour sauce combines light vinegar and sugar with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. This can be used as a dipping sauce or marinade. 

What should I look for when buying sweet and sour sauce?

Since sweet and sour sauce is packaged, and the best way to check for freshness is to compare the “use by” dates, the most important factor in buying sweet and sour sauce is your personal preference or the type you need for a recipe. There are versions of sweet and sour sauce that are low in calories and made with sugar substitutes. These are good for keeping the calorie count in check or if you’re following a sugar-free or low-carb diet. 

You can find sweet and sour sauces with pineapple or mango that get their sweetness from fruit juice rather than sugar. Some kinds are spicy, while others are specially designed for particular ingredients, such as sweet and sour sauce for chicken.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for sweet and sour sauce via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for sweet and sour sauce. 

How to store sweet and sour sauce

Unopened jars can last for several months. It’s best to use it before its expiration date, and you should always inspect the jar to ensure the freshness seal is still intact. 

Once you open a jar of sweet and sour sauce, it should be stored in the refrigerator. Clean off the rim of the jar with a paper towel, and seal the lid tightly. Stored in the back of your refrigerator, the sauce should keep for several months. Always do a quick freshness check before consuming the sauce after it’s been opened for more than two to three weeks. 

When you make a homemade sweet and sour sauce, you should use it within a week since it won’t have the preservatives needed to keep it fresh as long as its bottled counterpart. 

Both homemade and store-bought sauce can be frozen. Simply place it in a zip-top bag and remove the excess air before storing it. For smaller portions, freeze the sauce in ice cube trays until frozen solid (about three to four hours), and then place the cubes in an airtight container. This will allow you to use just what you need. 

How to tell if sweet and sour sauce has gone bad

To determine whether or not sweet and sour sauce has gone bad, you can look at it and smell it. The color may change from red to dark brown as it goes bad. White or grey mold may start to grow on top of the sauce or in the container. You may also notice an off odor which is a tell-tale sign that something is spoiling, even if it looks okay otherwise. 

What can I use as a substitute?

In most recipes, you can substitute one brand for another without any need for modification. You can buy duck sauce or plum sauce as a substitute when you can’t get sweet and sour sauce. 

Sweeten your day with groceries delivery

Sometimes you just want to stay home, but important needs like having to eat get in the way. Kick your feet up and find everything you need online. Are you a picky shopper? Not a problem! Leave notes in your order and your personal shopper will take care of the rest. Choose online delivery or pick-up at check out and have everything you need brought right to your front door.

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Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.