By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 2, 2026
Serves 4
114 cal · 20 min
Sweet and Sour Dressing
Recipe GLPR1d7c89024e2a1b
A bright and tangy sweet and sour dressing made with simple pantry ingredients. Sugar and cornstarch are combined with vinegar and gently heated to create a glossy, slightly thickened sauce with perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. Ideal for drizzling over salads, stir-fries, or as a dipping sauce.
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Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup vinegar
Directions
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before beginning.
In a small saucepan, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch until well combined and no lumps remain.
Gradually pour the vinegar into the sugar mixture, stirring constantly to create a smooth, lump-free paste.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture becomes translucent and thickens slightly.
Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 15 minutes until fully chilled.
Transfer the cooled dressing to a serving container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Comments
This is a three-ingredient dressing that costs under $1 to make and every item sits in a standard pantry at any Charlotte grocer—sugar and cornstarch are shelf staples, vinegar is $2–3 a bottle. The stated 20 minutes is honest; you whisk, heat, and let it cool. It reheats perfectly and works as a glaze, dressing, or sauce for weeknight proteins or stir-fries, which fits North Carolina's reliance on quick, flexible meals. The only minor drawback is that it's quite basic and offers no protein or vegetable nutrition on its own, so you're building around it rather than eating it as a complete dish.
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