Citric Acid Free Whole30 Pineapple Sweet and Sour Sauce
That tangy-sweet flavor you crave from a good sweet and sour sauce is fully achievable without any of the synthetic additives that make store-bought versions off-limits. This one gets its brightness from real pineapple juice and apple cider vinegar, its depth from coconut aminos and tomato paste, and a gentle kick from fresh ginger — no citric acid, no preservatives, no mystery ingredients. The arrowroot slurry is the secret to that glossy, clingy texture that coats every bite without the cornstarch or thickeners that often sneak unwanted additives into a sauce. It comes together in a single saucepan with just a few minutes of active cooking, making it genuinely weeknight-friendly. Drizzle it over grilled chicken, toss it with roasted vegetables, or use it as a dipping sauce — it holds its own in any application. The balance of sweet, sour, and savory here is surprisingly complex for such a short ingredient list, and knowing exactly what went into every spoonful makes it taste even better.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 1 cup 100% pineapple juice (unsweetened)
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch
- 2 tbsp cold water
Instructions
- 1
Whisk together the pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos, tomato paste, garlic powder, grated ginger, and salt in a small saucepan until the tomato paste is fully dissolved.
- 2
Set the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until it just begins to bubble around the edges, about 4–5 minutes.
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