Plum Sweet and Sour Sauce

Plum Sweet and Sour Sauce is a easy Asian recipe that serves 2. 220 calories per serving. Recipe by Morgane Recipes on YouTube.

Prep: 5 min | Cook: 3 min | Total: 13 min

Cost: $0.58 total, $0.29 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 pieces Plums in brine (canned) (drained, juice discarded to avoid excess salt)
  • 3 tablespoons Granulated sugar (adjust to taste if plums are very sweet)
  • 1 teaspoon Light soy sauce (low‑sodium)
  • 60 ml Water (room temperature)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients

    Gather 2 plums in brine, 3 Tbsp sugar, 1 tsp light soy sauce, and 60 ml water. Measure them using measuring spoons.

    Time: PT2M

  2. Crush Plums

    Place the drained plums in the small saucepan and crush them with a fork or masher to release their juices and acidity.

    Time: PT1M

  3. Add Remaining Ingredients

    Add the sugar, light soy sauce, and water to the saucepan. Stir to combine until the sugar begins to dissolve.

    Time: PT30S

  4. Simmer Sauce

    Set the heat to low and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Simmer for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    Time: PT3M

    Temperature: low heat

  5. Finish and Serve

    Turn off the heat and carefully pour the hot sauce into a small serving bowl. Let it cool slightly before serving with fried dishes.

    Time: PT30S

Nutrition Facts

Calories
220
Protein
1 g
Carbohydrates
45 g
Fat
0 g
Fiber
2 g

Dietary info: Vegetarian, Vegan (if using vegan‑certified sugar)

Allergens: Soy

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Instead of Plums in brine (canned): fresh plums, pitted, dried plums rehydrated
  • Instead of Granulated sugar: honey, maple syrup
  • Instead of Light soy sauce: regular soy sauce, tamari

Equipment Needed

  • Small saucepan
  • Wooden spoon or heat‑resistant spatula
  • Measuring spoons
  • Small serving bowl
  • Fork or potato masher (for crushing) (optional)

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

  • Do not use the plum brine juice – it makes the sauce too salty
  • Crush the plums thoroughly to release acidity and flavor
  • Simmer on low heat to prevent burning and bitterness

Chef Tips from the Video

  • Taste before finishing and add a pinch more sugar if the sourness is too strong
  • For a glossy finish, whisk the sauce briefly after removing from heat

Troubleshooting

Sauce is too salty

Use fresh plums instead of brined ones, or reduce the amount of soy sauce

Sauce is too thick

Add a splash more water and stir until the desired consistency is reached

Sauce is too thin

Simmer a little longer to reduce, or add more crushed plum

Storage

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container, up to 7 days

Freezer: Portion and freeze for up to 2 months

Room temperature: Not recommended; keep refrigerated

Make-Ahead Tips

  • Make the sauce a day ahead and keep refrigerated; bring to room temperature before serving
  • Reheat gently over low heat if it thickens after cooling

Last updated: September 6, 2026

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Plum Sweet and Sour Sauce

Recipe by Morgane Recipes

A quick, tangy plum sweet‑and‑sour sauce perfect for dipping fried shrimp, crab rolls, samosas, or sesame shrimp toasts. Made with brined plums, a touch of sugar, light soy sauce and water, it balances sweet and sour without being overly salty.

EasyAsianServes 2

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Source Video
3m
Prep
3m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
16m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$0.58
Total cost
$0.29
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • • Do not use the plum brine juice – it makes the sauce too salty
  • • Crush the plums thoroughly to release acidity and flavor
  • • Simmer on low heat to prevent burning and bitterness

Safety Warnings

  • • Handle the hot saucepan with oven mitts to avoid burns
  • • Steam may cause scalding when stirring