Sweet Chilli-Pineapple Sauce Recipe – Asian, Chinese Special
Sweet & Sour Pineapple Sauce brings a delightful tropical twist to classic Asian condiments. It blends fresh pineapple (or pineapple juice) with sugar, vinegar, garlic, and chili flakes to create a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce that’s versatile enough for dipping, glazing, or drizzling. Ready in under 20 minutes, it adds vibrant flavor and a bright kick to any dish.
- Prep Time10 min
- Cook Time10 min
- Total Time20 min
Sweet Chilli-Pineapple Sauce Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups of white sugar
- 1 cup of pineapple juice
- ½ cup of rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
- 1-2 tablespoons of red chili flakes (I included 2 small dry Bird’s eye chili when making the flakes)
- 1 tablespoon of tomato ketchup (optional)
- 1 teaspoon of salt (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons of cornflour
- 4 tablespoons of cold water
How To Make Sweet Chilli-Pineapple Sauce:
In a large heavy-bottomed pan, combine sugar, pineapple juice, vinegar, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Stir in chili flakes, minced garlic, and ketchup. Boil over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Mix cornflour with cold water. Reduce the heat and gradually stir it into the mixture to prevent lumps.
Simmer the sauce on low heat until it thickens to the desired consistency, noting that it will thicken further upon cooling.
Transfer the cooled sauce to a sterilized bottle and refrigerate for storage.
Recipe Notes:
Start by combining pineapple juice (or fresh pineapple) with sugar and vinegar, then bring to a gentle boil to meld the flavors.
Add minced garlic and chili flakes (or bird’s eye chili) to infuse the sauce with aroma and just the right amount of spice.
Make a slurry of cornstarch (or corn flour) and cold water—stir it in over low heat to thicken the sauce to a glossy consistency.
Taste and adjust sugar or vinegar to achieve your preferred balance of sweetness and tang.
Cool the sauce before storing it in an airtight container. It keeps well in the refrigerator for about one week—ideal for meal prep or spontaneous meal enhancements.
