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Skip the store-bought bottles and whip up this easy gluten free sweet and sour sauce at home in just minutes. Made with simple pantry staples like ketchup, agave, vinegar and coconut aminos, this sauce is naturally gluten free and full of flavor. It’s tangy, sweet and perfectly balanced, ideal for dipping, drizzling or tossing with your favorite stir-fry or fried rice. Whether you’re gluten free or just looking for a cleaner version of the classic, this quick recipe is a must-try.
This gluten free sweet and sour sauce is so tangy, sweet and easy to make. Perfect for dipping, stir-fry or drizzling over all your favorite Asian-inspired meals.
Pork egg roll in a bowl is good too, as are gluten-free egg roll wrappers. Also whip up crab cake egg rolls with firecracker sauce (they’re nice ‘n spicy!)
Why You’ll Love It
Quick to make: Comes together in under 10 minutes with minimal effort.
Naturally gluten free: Made with clean, pantry-friendly ingredients.
Versatile: Use it as a dip, glaze or stir-fry sauce.
Perfect flavor balance: Sweetness, tang and a touch of umami in every bite.
Customizable: Adjust the sweetness or vinegar to your liking.
Sweet and Sour Sauce Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Ketchup: Adds rich tomato flavor and natural sweetness.
Coconut aminos: A gluten free alternative to soy sauce that adds savory depth.
Rice vinegar: Brings bright acidity to balance the sweetness.
Agave: A liquid sweetener that gives the sauce its signature sweetness.
Orange juice: Adds a hint of citrus and mild tang.
Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce to the perfect texture.
How to Make Gluten Free Sweet and Sour Sauce
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Mix the slurry: Dissolve cornstarch in water using a ramekin.
Combine the ingredients: Add the cornstarch slurry to a mixing bowl along with ketchup, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, agave, and orange juice.
Cook the sauce: Transfer mixture to a saucepan, bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook until thickened.
Cool and store: Let the sauce cool and transfer to a sealed container. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Substitutions and Variations
Use maple syrup or honey: Either will work in place of agave if preferred.
Sugar-free: Use sugar-free ketchup and your favorite liquid sugar-free sweetener to make sugar free sweet and sour sauce.
Swap the vinegar: Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar can work in a pinch.
Add heat: Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drop of hot sauce for a spicy version.
Serving Suggestions
With rice or noodles: Try this delicious sweet and sour sauce over brown rice, hibachi rice, hibachi noodles, or egg noodles.
With a protein: Add chicken nuggets or another protein to make a complete meal.
With side dishes: It’s great with crab cake egg rolls, sesame shrimp toast or your favorite Panda Express copycat dishes.
How to Store Gluten Free Sweet ‘n Sour Sauce
Store: This sauce will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks in a covered container in the refrigerator.
Freeze: You can freeze it for a couple of months. Leave a little space at the top of your jar or container for expansion.
Thaw: Defrost in the fridge overnight and stir well before using.
Reheat: You can serve the sauce warm or cold. If you want to warm it back up, you can do so in the microwave or in a pan on the stove.
Top Tips
Stir constantly: This helps prevent the cornstarch from clumping as the sauce thickens.
Taste and adjust: Add more vinegar for extra tang or more agave for added sweetness.
Use fresh orange juice: For the best flavor, squeeze juice from a fresh orange instead of using bottled.
Double the batch: This sauce keeps well in the fridge, so make extra to have on hand for quick meals.
Sweet and Sour Sauce FAQs
Dishes like moo shu pork, orange chicken, egg foo yung, General Tso’s shrimp, and even deep-fried egg rolls were created in the west to appeal to western palates. Sweet and sour sauce is linked to Hunan, a Chinese province. It was originally a condiment for meat, fish and vegetables. A similar sauce can be traced back to the Guangdong province but it’s possible the sauces were created around the same time. Pineapple and pear were used to add sweetness to dishes in some Eastern Chinese provinces. Molasses, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and honey aren’t traditional ingredients but they are found in westernized sauce recipes.
It is if you use agave or maple syrup instead of honey.
No but feel free to add red pepper flakes or hot sauce if you wish.
Gluten Free Sweet and Sour Sauce Recipe
Gluten Free Sweet and Sour Sauce
Equipment
- Citrus Zester Optional
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon ketchup
- 1 Teaspoon coconut aminos
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon rice vinegar
- 4 Tablespoon agave nectar, or preferred liquid sweetener
- 1 Teaspoon orange juice
- 1/3 Cup water
- 2 Teaspoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Use a ramekin to dissolve the cornstarch in ⅓ cup of water. Pour mixture into a small mixing bowl and combine ketchup, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, agave, and orange juice.
- Add the contents of the bowl to a saucepan and cook over high heat until it starts to boil. Lower heat to a simmer for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Serve warm or cold. Store in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks
Notes
Taste and adjust: Add more vinegar for extra tang or more agave for added sweetness.
Use fresh orange juice: For the best flavor, squeeze juice from a fresh orange instead of using bottled.
Double the batch: This sauce keeps well in the fridge, so make extra to have on hand for quick meals.
Nutrition
Gluten free sweet and sour sauce is a must-have recipe for anyone looking to enjoy classic takeout flavor at home without gluten or additives. It’s fast, flavorful and made with simple ingredients that come together in minutes. Whether you’re dipping, drizzling or cooking with it, this sauce brings a bold pop of flavor to whatever you serve. Keep a jar in your fridge for easy access to a homemade favorite that’s both clean and delicious.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I was wondering if they could be cooked in the oven if you don’t have a air fryer?
yes, the egg roll wrappers can be made in the oven!
I have been looking for a good gf recipe. thanks