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This simple candy and bitter sauce recipe comes along with pantry staples: ketchup, vinegar and a contact of oyster sauce. Candy, tangy and ideal for dipping, glazing or drizzling over meats and veggies.

Selfmade Candy And Bitter Sauce
I examined this selfmade candy and bitter sauce a number of instances to get the flavour excellent. It’s nothing just like the thick, overly candy variations you generally get at takeout locations within the US. As an alternative, this selfmade sauce has a vibrant, balanced tang and simply the fitting contact of sweetness, which makes it excellent for dishes like Candy and Bitter Pork or Candy and Bitter Fish.
It’s additionally tremendous versatile. In the event you’re searching for a straightforward selfmade sauce recipe with easy pantry components that tastes prefer it got here out of your favourite Chinese language restaurant, that is it. Attempt it as a dipping sauce for fried tofu, rooster, or fish balls or nuggets, or make a double batch and preserve it within the fridge for as much as per week so that you all the time have some available for fast meals. Take a look at the How To Use It In On a regular basis Meals part beneath for extra concepts.
For extra selfmade sauce recipes, take a look at my Selfmade Teriyaki Sauce and Steamed Fish Sauce.
A Little Background: This sauce is a basic Chinese language condiment with an ideal stability of tangy and candy flavors. Historically made with vinegar and sugar, it typically contains ketchup or tomato paste for coloration and depth. This sauce isn’t only for restaurant dishes, it’s a staple in lots of Asian house kitchens and can be utilized for all the things from stir-fries to dipping sauces.
Components You’ll Want


- Ketchup
- Apple cider vinegar
- Oyster sauce
- Sugar
See the recipe card on the backside of this submit for the complete checklist of components and particulars.
Professional Tip #1: Ketchup As The Candy Base
Ketchup provides the sauce its acquainted pink coloration, sweetness and tomato spine. It’s the best technique to get huge taste with out utilizing loads of components.
Professional Tip #2: Apple Cider Vinegar For Tang
The vinegar provides that sharpness that cuts by means of sweetness. Apple cider vinegar works properly for its gentle taste. You need to use rice vinegar should you choose one thing gentler.
Professional Tip #3: Oyster Sauce For Depth
Oyster sauce provides richness and umami, giving the sauce that additional “oomph” so it doesn’t style one-dimensional. For a vegan or vegetarian model, attempt a vegetarian “oyster” sauce created from mushrooms.
Professional Tip #4: Sugar To Steadiness Every little thing
A spoonful of sugar smooths out the flavour profile. It balances ketchup’s acidity and vinegar’s tang. You possibly can scale back it barely should you like issues much less candy.
Additional Tip: No Cornstarch Wanted
I skip cornstarch as a result of the sauce naturally thickens because it simmers. The ketchup provides it simply sufficient physique, so you continue to get a shiny, clingy end with out that heavy, starchy texture.
How To Use It In On a regular basis Meals


This sauce is so versatile that after you’ve made it, you’ll begin discovering excuses to make use of it in all types of meals. It’s the sort of fast taste enhance that turns easy dishes into one thing particular. Listed here are a few of my favourite methods to make use of it:
- Dipping sauce: Serve alongside crispy Spring Rolls, Pan Fried Dumplings, or fried tofu for a straightforward appetizer.
- Glaze: Brush over grilled rooster, pork, or fish in the previous few minutes of cooking for a shiny, flavorful end.
- Stir-fry booster: Add a spoonful to your favourite veggie or noodle stir-fry for a fast hit of candy and tangy taste.
- Marinade: Combine with a little bit of oil and marinate rooster or shrimp earlier than cooking to lock in taste.
- Rice or noodle topper: Drizzle over plain steamed rice or freshly cooked noodles for an on the spot taste improve.
Regularly Requested Questions
Completely. Simply preserve the ingredient ratios the identical and use a bigger saucepan. Stir properly so the sugar dissolves evenly.
Minimize the sugar and style as you go. If it wants a little bit extra tang to stability, add a number of additional drops of apple cider vinegar.
If you need it a little bit thicker, simmer it for a number of additional minutes till it reduces.
I don’t advocate freezing as a result of the vinegar and sugar can separate and alter the feel as soon as it thaws. If that you must retailer it longer, preserve it within the fridge in an hermetic container and use it inside about 5–7 days for one of the best taste.
This recipe makes 1/3 cup (80ml) and comprises 220 energy.


Different Candy And Bitter Recipes You May Like
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Add all of the components to a saucepan and stir till properly mixed.
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Place over medium warmth. When the sauce begins to bubble, flip off the warmth and put aside to chill.
In the event you’re making one among my candy and bitter recipes, combine the sauce in a small bowl first, then comply with the directions in that recipe for how one can use it.
Serving: 0.3cup, Energy: 220kcal, Carbohydrates: 58g, Protein: 2g, Fats: 0.3g, Saturated Fats: 0.03g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fats: 0.1g, Sodium: 2188mg, Potassium: 444mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 45g, Vitamin A: 770IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 37mg, Iron: 1mg
Vitamin info is routinely calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.