What to do with leftover sweet and sour sauce?
It’s a question that has plagued home cooks for generations.
You make the sweet and sour sauce, you use it on the chicken and the pork, but then…
What do you do with the rest?
If you have leftover sweet and sour sauce, there are many things you can do with it. The simplest thing to do is to put it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it again. You can also freeze the sauce in an airtight container for later use. If you want to use it right away, try adding it to some fried rice or stir-frying vegetables!
Keep reading for more creative ideas!
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What to Do with Leftover Sweet and Sour Sauce
People have been asking this question for years, and it’s a good one.
We’ve got some ideas that are sure to make your leftover sweet and sour sauce disappear in no time.
1. Make a Stir-Fry with It
Stir fry is a great way to use up your leftovers because it brings out their flavor and you can add anything to it that you have on hand.
Start by sautéing garlic, ginger, onions and bell peppers in a pan with some oil until soft then add your leftover sweet and sour sauce along with rice noodles or whatever else you have lying around (eggs, tofu, shrimp).
Add some soy sauce if needed then serve over rice!
2. Make a Sandwich
Sweet and sour sauce is great on sandwiches because it gives them that nice tangy flavor that makes your mouth water just thinking about them.
Try spreading it onto bread along with slices of chicken or pork then top with lettuce.
You could also add tomatoes or cucumber if you want something crunchy in there too!
For an extra kick try adding Sriracha sauce instead of regular mayonnaise!
3. Use It as Marinade for Chicken or Fish
You can use any kind of sandwich bread for this but we recommend ciabatta or focaccia since they absorb liquid well without getting soggy (you’ll want to add some mayonnaise or another spread like hummus for moisture).
Top with lettuce leaves and thinly sliced tomatoes then add the chicken strips from leftovers on top of those before drizzling the leftover sweet and sour sauce over everything.
4. Add it to Your Favorite Salad
Instead of using dressing on your salad, try using sweet and sour sauce instead!
It will give you the same tasty flavor without having to worry about all the extra calories from oils or dressings.
You can also use this as a dipping sauce for spring rolls or chicken satay skewers!
5. Drizzle It Over Orzo Pasta and Top with Parmesan Cheese
If you have any orzo pasta left over from last night’s dinner then drizzle some sweet and sour sauce on top of it for an easy side dish for tonight’s meal!
Serve with fresh basil leaves for an extra fresh touch.
6. Add It to Your Favorite Soup
If you’re not a fan of stir fry but still want to use up your leftover sweet & sour sauce then try adding it to homemade soup!
Just add 1/4 cup of the leftover sauce into whatever vegetable broth you have on hand (carrots work great here too) and simmer away until soft then serve!
7. Use It as the Base For Your Next Homemade Pizza Sauce
You can use this sauce as the base for any pizza recipe.
Just spread the sweet and sour sauce on top of thin crust dough then top with your favorite pizza toppings!
We recommend adding pineapple chunks too because who doesn’t love pineapple?
Yum!
8. Use It as a Dipping Sauce for Chicken Nuggets or French Fries
Place your leftover sweet and sour sauce into a dipping bowl and dip away!
You can also use it as a marinade for chicken nuggets or other small pieces of meat like fish fillets before frying them up in the skillet.
9. Use It as a Dip for Spring Rolls or Egg Rolls
Dip spring rolls or egg rolls in the leftover sweet and sour sauce instead of using hoisin sauce or any other dipping sauces.
This will save you money since hoisin sauce can get expensive when used sparingly!
10. Use It As A Dip For Barbecue Ribs Or Other Meats
Even though this isn’t as traditional, we think that barbecue ribs are the perfect way to use up leftover sweet and sour sauce!
Just add some ketchup and mustard into the mix for extra flavor then serve alongside your favorite meat on a stick!
You could even just eat it straight from the bowl if you wanted…we won’t judge!
11. Use It To Make Baked Potatoes Extra Delicious
If you’re looking for something even more unique than the traditional baked potato then try topping it with leftover sweet and sour sauce instead of butter or sour cream!
This will give your potato an extra kick of flavor while adding some extra moisture and richness as well.
Plus it’s super easy – just sprinkle some cheese on top before baking in the oven at 400 degrees F (204 C) until golden brown on top (about 20 minutes).
12. Make A Sweet And Sour Chicken Salad Sandwich
Combine chicken breast and celery along with diced red peppers in your leftover sweet and sour sauce then top with lettuce leaves for an easy sandwich that’s perfect for lunchtime or even as a snack!
13. Put It In A Bowl Of Ramen Noodles
If you’re looking for something quick and easy but still flavorful try putting your leftover sweet and sour sauce in a bowl of ramen noodles!
Start by heating up some water on the stovetop then add your noodles once it comes to a boil.
Once the noodles are done cooking drain them into a colander then return them back into the pot along with some soy sauce for seasoning then pour in the leftover sweet and sour sauce (make sure its not too thick) until heated through then serve immediately!
14. Freeze It As A Sauce For Later Use
If you don’t want to make the same dish twice but still want to use up your leftover sweet and sour sauce, just freeze it in an airtight container!
Then take it out when you’re ready for some Chinese takeout at home (or any other kind of stir fry) without having to buy more sauce from the store!
15. Make A Sweet And Sour Sauce Omelet
Just whisk together an egg white with some milk then fold in the leftover sweet and sour sauce along with some diced veggies such as bell peppers or mushrooms.
Then cook like normal until cooked through then serve warm over rice or noodles!
16. Use It As A Marinade For The Grill
Sweet and sour sauce goes really well with grilled meats like chicken or ribs!
Just marinate them in the leftover sauce then grill them up when ready to eat!
What to Do with Leftover Sweet and Sour Sauce
Ingredients
- Make a Stir-Fry with It
- Make a Sandwich
- Use It as Marinade for Chicken or Fish
- Add it to Your Favorite Salad
- Drizzle It Over Orzo Pasta and Top with Parmesan Cheese
- Add It to Your Favorite Soup
- Use It as the Base For Your Next Homemade Pizza Sauce
- Use It as a Dipping Sauce for Chicken Nuggets or French Fries
- Use It as a Dip for Spring Rolls or Egg Rolls
- Use It As A Dip For Barbecue Ribs Or Other Meats
- Use It To Make Baked Potatoes Extra Delicious
- Make A Sweet And Sour Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Put It In A Bowl Of Ramen Noodles
- Freeze It As A Sauce For Later Use
- Make A Sweet And Sour Sauce Omelet
- Use It As A Marinade For The Grill
Instructions
- Pick one of the creative ways from this list to use up your sauce.
- Prepare the rest of your meal.
- Be ready to munch in no time!
Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.