181 sweet sour recipes

Persian lamb soup simmered with dried fruits (prunes, apricots, peaches), turmeric-browned onions, and a sweet-sour balance of brown sugar and citrus for comforting depth.

Warm red-skinned potatoes tossed in a sweet-sour bacon vinaigrette that's the star of every church potluck and German family reunion from Cincinnati to Milwaukee.

Braised red cabbage with fresh cranberries, red wine vinegar, brown sugar, and ground cloves. A tangy, sweet-sour side dish with vibrant color for holiday meals.

Bread and butter pickles with thin-sliced cucumbers and onions brined with salt and ice, then packed in a sweet-sour brown sugar, cider vinegar, mustard, and turmeric syrup.

Swedish pickled herring with a sweet-sour vinegar brine layered with red onion, carrots, ginger, and horseradish. A classic Scandinavian smorgasbord appetizer that only gets better after 2-3 days in the jar.

A light, brothy borscht of cabbage and beets simmered with carrot, celery, and tomato juice into a ruby-red, sweet-and-sour soup. Vegan, low in calories, and even better the next day.

Tangy sourdough banana pancakes with buttermilk and yogurt, topped with sliced bananas. Skip the syrup and let the sweet-sour contrast shine with just a pat of butter.

This is a hearty sweet and sour meat soup that can be used as a main dish.

Chinese pickled pigs' ears simmered with ginger and vinegar, then chilled in a sweet-sour brine with cucumber, carrot, red onion, and bell pepper. A classic Cantonese cold appetizer.

Pineapple shrimp in a sweet-sour glaze of pineapple syrup, Chinese pickles, and chopped dill pickles, thickened with cornstarch and spooned over rice. A quick 15-minute retro weeknight dinner.

Pickled green mangos in a sweet-sour brine with vinegar, sugar, Hawaiian salt, and Chinese five spice powder. A tangy island-style preserve that's ready in 2 to 3 days.

Braised red cabbage with apple, a German-style side simmered with onion, cloves, and bay, finished with sugar and vinegar for the classic sweet-sour balance. Vegan and low calorie.

This salad is very easy to make, and combines the sour, sweet and salty flavors typical of Thai cuisine.

Spicy, tangy Thai turkey meatballs with red curry paste and fish sauce, served with a sweet-sour cucumber dipping sauce. A quick party appetizer ready in 30 minutes that feeds a crowd.

Sweet and sour Alaska salmon nuggets: broiled wild salmon chunks served with a pineapple-ginger dipping sauce. A fun twist on takeout using Pacific wild-caught fish.

Crisp Thai cucumber salad (taeng kwa brio wan) with paper-thin slices in a sweet-sour vinegar dressing with red onion and chile flakes. A cool, refreshing side dish for any Thai meal.