Sweet & sour garlic sauce

If you love classic sweet & sour but miss a bit of 'punch', this is your recipe. The dominant presence of garlic makes the base sauce more characterful and spicy. A universal dip: suits everything from spring rolls to fried chicken wings.
🕒 Prep Time 10 mins
🍳 Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 115 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Asian Fusion

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Small frying pan
  • Grater
  • Whisk

Allergen Information

⚠️ Soya
⚠️ Celery (ketchup)

Instructions

1

Peel and finely grate the garlic.

Tip: Grating gives a more intense flavour than chopping.
2

Heat the oil in a pan over low heat. Add the garlic and sauté gently until fragrant (max. 1 minute).

Tip: Do not brown! Burnt garlic is bitter.
3

Add ketchup, honey, vinegar, soy sauce, water, and chilli. Mix thoroughly.

Tip: Honey provides natural sweetness and thickness.
4

Simmer on low heat for 3-4 minutes to blend flavours.

Tip: Boiling dulls the sharp scent of vinegar.
5

Mix the cornflour with a little cold water, then drizzle into the sauce. Stir continuously until thickened.

Tip: Cornflour sets the final texture.
6

Taste and add salt if needed. Let it cool slightly before serving.

Tip: It may seem thinner when hot; it thickens as it cools.

Recipe FAQ

Burnt the garlic?
If there are brown specks and it's bitter, then sadly yes. Start again, and be more careful with the heat!

Ingredients

  • 3 cloves Garlic
  • 30 g Honey
  • 20 ml Rice vinegar
  • 15 ml Soy sauce
  • 50 g Ketchup
  • 50 ml Water
  • 10 g Cornflour
  • 15 ml Olive oil (or sesame oil for Asian flavour)
  • 0.5 tsp Chilli flakes
  • 0.5 tsp Salt