This keto sweet and sour sauce has just 1.5g net carbs per 1/4-cup serving and comes together in 10 minutes with pantry staples — no added sugar, just that same sweet-tangy flavor you’d get from takeout.
We are the kind of family that would order extra sweet and sour sauce, whenever we ordered Chinese takeout. Yup, we love the stuff that much. Of course sweet and sour sauce is loaded with sugar, so what do I do? I make my own sugar free sweet and sour sauce of course!
Why it works
- We use lakanto’s golden monk fruit sweetener to make the ‘sweet’ in this keto sweet and sour sauce recipe, and for the best flavour possible!
- It super easy to make and ready in under 10 minutes!
- No sugar added ketchup and apple cider vinegar bring a ton of flavour to this sugar free sweet and sour, all while keeping it on the low carb side.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card for ingredient measurements.
- sweetener
- apple cider vinegar
- no sugar added ketchup
- water
- soy sauce
- sesame oil
- xanthan gum
Sweetener – We use Lakanto’s Golden Monk Fruit Sweetener in this keto sweet and sour sauce because it has, in my opinion, the very best flavour! I like to use it in place of brown sugar and find it has no aftertaste.
No Sugar Added Ketchup – Ketchup can be heavily loaded with sugar, so be sure to choose one that has no added sugar.
How to make Keto Sweet and Sour Sauce
Combine the sesame oil and xanthan gum in a medium saucepan and stir until the xanthan gum is fully mixed with the oil. Slowly whisk in the apple cider vinegar so that it mixes in well with the xanthan gum, then pour in the water, soy sauce, ketchup and sweetener.
Bring the sauce to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until thick, 1-2 minutes. Pour over your favourite meal or use for dipping!
Try these recipes with your Keto Sweet and Sour Sauce
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Keto Sweet and Sour Sauce
Ingredients
Method
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Combine the sesame oil and xanthan gum in a medium saucepan and stir until the xanthan gum is fully mixed with the oil. Slowly whisk in the apple cider vinegar so that it mixes in well with the xanthan gum, then pour in the water, soy sauce, ketchup and sweetener.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until thick, 1-2 minutes. Pour over your favourite meal or use for dipping!
Notes
Special Ingredients
- We use Lakanto’s Golden Monk Fruit Sweetener in this keto sweet and sour sauce because it has, in my opinion, the very best flavour! I like to use it in place of brown sugar and find it has no aftertaste.
- Ketchup can be heavily loaded with sugar, so be sure to choose one that has no added sugar.
- For strict keto, substitute the soy sauce with coconut aminos.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition facts are an estimate only! The ingredients you choose could have different nutritional values than the ingredients I have used. * Net carb count excludes both fibre and sugar alcohols, because these do not affect blood sugar in most people. Deduct the sugar alcohols ( 16g ) from the total carbs to get 1.5 g net carbs per 1/4 cup.This sauce is also fantastic for dipping our Low Carb Baked Chicken Tenders or drizzling over a Keto Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many net carbs are in keto sweet and sour sauce?
This sauce has 1.5g net carbs per 1/4-cup serving, thanks to monk fruit sweetener and no-sugar-added ketchup standing in for traditional sugar.
How long does it take to make?
Just 10 minutes total — 2 minutes of prep and 8 minutes on the stove.
What sweetener replaces the sugar?
We use Lakanto’s golden monk fruit sweetener along with no-sugar-added ketchup, so you get the classic sweet-tangy flavor without the carbs.
What can I serve this sauce with?
It’s great for dipping chicken tenders or shrimp, or drizzling over stir-fry — anywhere you’d normally reach for the sugary version.
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Could not even tell it’s keto!! Delicious!!!
The best homemade sweet n sour sauce ever, even when compared to non keto. the whole family loved and had no idea it was keto.
That’s so awesome! I’m glad everyone liked it 😀
Delicious and super easy.
Glad you liked it Marianne 🙂
Great sauce. We really like it. Do you know how long it will safely keep in the refrigerator? Thanks!
Hi Liesl! I’m so glad you like this sauce 🙂 I wouldn’t keep in any longer than a week in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
I love this sauce.
Awe I’m so glad Rhonda!
How long does this last in the fridge? Does it freeze well?
It should last for a week or so in the fridge, however, because we sweeten it with a monk fruit / erythritol blend sweetener, it will crystallize once cold. The sauce can simply be reheated to solve the issue, but I don’t recommend eating it cold right from the fridge. One way around this is to use allulose instead, which does not crystallize once cold!
I have never tried to freeze it, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t freeze well 🙂
I found that 1/4 tsp of xanthin gum was insufficient. I ended up using 1/2 a tsp, but next time will use 3/4 of a tsp. Also, I found 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar way too much, probably double for my taste. I used tomato paste diluted in the 1/3 sup of water and it worked just fine even without increasing the sweetener. I used Swerve as I have no monk fruit sweetener on hand.
Just curious if using the classic Lakanto monk fruit instead of the golden would make a huge difference in taste? I have the classic on hand…maybe add a touch of molasses to create that brown sugar taste?
I think you’d be fine just using the classic 🙂
If you skip the xanthan gum, should you reduce the amount of water?
Hey Brian 🙂 good question. It will be thicker without as much water, quite thin with the recommended amount of water. However, if you reduce the water, it may be too strong of a flavour. You could mix it up without the water, bring it to a simmer for a minute or two and then give it a taste. If it is too strong, add as much water as you need to taste.
Could I substitute another oil for the sesame oil? My husband and I are huge fans of sweet and sour sauce, so finding this recipe just made our day! 🙂
Hi Caroline!
The sesame oil is actually for flavour. I find it important for this recipe but I don’t see any harm in skipping it, other than the missing flavour.
Could you use equal parts tomato paste in place of reduced sugar ketchup? I’m not a fan of artificial sweeteners and I can’t find a sugar-free ketchup without them. Thanks.
Hey Chris, I totally get that. Ketchup is made with pureed tomatoes, sugar and spices, mustard and vinegar. You could try replacing the ketchup with pureed tomatoes, but it will be lacking sweetness and flavour. If you feel up to the challenge, you could make yourself some sugar free ketchup, otherwise I recommend you try using pureed tomatoes rather than tomato paste.
Here is a recipe from SugarFreeLondoner I have used and like: https://sugarfreelondoner.com/sugar-free-ketchup/
Hope it works out for you!
This sweet and sour sauce sounds SO GOOD for chicken! And paired with rice like you have it would be perfect. Saving this to try ASAP!
Thanks Sara!
Definitely love the idea of using monk fruit sweetener as a sugar substitute… The sauce on those meatballs sold me, so I’ll be looking forward to trying this
Thanks Femi, enjoy!
This keto Sweet and sour sauce is fabulous! I needed a sauce for wings and came across this little gem and my family loved it. They didn’t even know it was keto friendly because it was so delicious. Thanks for a great recipe.
So glad you loved it Debbie!
What a great recipe to have handy — nothing like a great sweet and sour sauce to perk up several types of dishes. Not only can you add this as an ingredient to a main dish but a dipping sauce. So yummy!!
Yum! I’m definitely the extra sauce type too! The fruit sweetener seems like a good substitution to get that same tasty flavor you would from Chinese takeout.
This sauce is delicious, and perfect on meatballs!
It is really good on chicken with cauliflower “fried rice”
I agree, Tarah, I love it over cauliflower fried rice! Glad you like it too 🙂
I appreciate the reduced sugar recipe, as I’m not a fan of overly sweet dishes. Do you have a reco for no-sugar added ketchup you like?
Yes! I prefer to use Heinz, as it is easy to find and tastes great. There are others that are better for you such as Primal’s organic unsweetened ketchup, if you prefer.
I like to make sweet and sour sauce in bulk and use it as and when needed. It makes life so much easier. I love your variation and fortunately I have all the ingredients. Yay! Making it right now.
Thanks Gunjan!
I’m not keto but I’ve always hated the amount of sugar in a sweet and sour sauce. I’d like to give this version a try sometime!