---
title: "Sweet and Sour Sauce (糖醋汁)"
description: "This sweet and sour sauce is a classic flavor base for Chinese sweet-and-sour dishes. It is easy to mix, with a simple ratio that even beginners can master. From prep to finish, it takes about 10 minutes. The sugar provides energy, while the vinegar aroma helps whet the appetite and cut through richness, instantly elevating everyday home cooking."
image: "https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/ai-generated/condiment_tang-cu-zhi.jpg"
url: "https://cookbook.cn-trending.com/r/condiment_tang-cu-zhi/"
---

# Sweet and Sour Sauce

**糖醋汁 · táng cù zhī**

> Time: 10 min · Difficulty: Easy · Calories: 146 kcal · Serves: 1 serving · Category: [Sauces](https://cookbook.cn-trending.com/c/condiment/) (酱料)

This sweet and sour sauce is a classic flavor base for Chinese sweet-and-sour dishes. It is easy to mix, with a simple ratio that even beginners can master. From prep to finish, it takes about 10 minutes. The sugar provides energy, while the vinegar aroma helps whet the appetite and cut through richness, instantly elevating everyday home cooking.

![](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/ai-generated/condiment_tang-cu-zhi.jpg)

## Ingredients

- 50 ml Water (清水) — per serving
  - Tip: Use purified water to ensure a clean, pure flavor.
- 40 ml Light soy sauce (生抽) — per serving
  - Tip: Choose brewed light soy sauce for a richer, more savory taste.
- 30 g White sugar (白糖) — per serving
  - Tip: Fine white sugar dissolves more easily than coarse sugar.
- 20 ml White vinegar / rice vinegar (白醋/米醋) — per serving
  - Tip: Rice vinegar has a fuller, milder acidity compared to white vinegar.
- 10 ml Cooking wine (Shaoxing) (料酒) — per serving
  - Tip: Regular cooking wine (Shaoxing) works well to remove fishy odors and add aroma.

## Tools

Small bowl, Stirring spoon, Wok

## Method (4 steps)

1. **Mix the Ingredients** — Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir until well mixed.
   - Duration: 1 min
   - Tip: Make sure the white sugar is fully dissolved in the liquid.
   ![Step 1: Mix the Ingredients](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/condiment_tang-cu-zhi/step_1.jpg)
2. **Pour Into the Wok** — After preparing the dish according to its recipe, pour the sweet and sour sauce into the wok.
   - Duration: 30 sec
   - Tip: For sweet and sour ribs, usually pour the sauce in after the ribs have been stir-fried.
   ![Step 2: Pour Into the Wok](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/condiment_tang-cu-zhi/step_2.jpg)
3. **Simmer to Infuse Flavor** — Cook for 5–10 minutes, depending on the dish.
   - Duration: 8 min
   - Tip: Watch the heat carefully to prevent the liquid from boiling away too quickly.
   ![Step 3: Simmer to Infuse Flavor](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/condiment_tang-cu-zhi/step_3.jpg)
4. **Reduce on High Heat** — Reduce the sauce over high heat to intensify its concentration, aroma, and gloss.
   - Duration: 2 min
   - Tip: Reduce until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
   ![Step 4: Reduce on High Heat](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/condiment_tang-cu-zhi/step_4.jpg)

## Tips

- If you find any issues or improvements while following this guide, please submit an Issue or Pull Request.

## Overview image

![Sweet and Sour Sauce — ingredients and steps overview](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/overview/condiment_tang-cu-zhi_overview.jpg)

## Source

Recipe text from [HowToCook](https://github.com/Anduin2017/HowToCook), structured by [Vibe Cook](https://github.com/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend). Public domain (Unlicense).

Original: https://github.com/Anduin2017/HowToCook/blob/master/dishes/condiment/糖醋汁.md

## Related recipes

- [Strawberry Jam](https://cookbook.cn-trending.com/r/condiment_cao-mei-jiang/)
- [Garlic Soy Sauce](https://cookbook.cn-trending.com/r/condiment_suan-xiang-jiang-you/)
- [Oil Paste](https://cookbook.cn-trending.com/r/condiment_you-su/)
- [Fried Skewer Sauce](https://cookbook.cn-trending.com/r/condiment_zha-chuan-jiang-liao/)

---

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