Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce: Ingredients, Calories & Price 

Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce is a 19.8 oz retail bottle made with water, sugar, lemon juice concentrate, vinegar, tomato paste, and soy sauce. It’s kosher certified, contains no high-fructose corn syrup, and delivers 60 calories per 2-tablespoon serving. It’s sold at Kroger, Walmart, Amazon, and most major grocery chains for $4.99-$9.48.

Panda Express has served Sweet and Sour Sauce since the very first location opened at Glendale Galleria in 1983. It’s the sauce that started it all  the one paired with Cream Cheese Rangoon, egg rolls, and crispy appetizers on nearly every table. Now, that same sweet-tangy flavor comes bottled for home use, and it’s become a grocery aisle staple across the country.

What Is Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce?

Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce is the brand’s original signature dipping sauce, first served in 1983 and now sold in a 19.8 oz retail bottle. It pairs sweetness from sugar with tang from lemon juice and vinegar, plus a savory backbone from soy sauce and tomato paste. The bottle is kosher certified and contains no high-fructose corn syrup or added MSG.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the retail bottle:

Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce Ingredients

What’s in the full ingredient list?

Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce contains water, sugar, lemon juice concentrate, distilled vinegar, tomato paste, soy sauce (water, wheat, soybeans, salt), modified corn starch, salt, seasoning (dextrose, natural flavor, onion powder), xanthan gum, and paprika extract for color, according to Kroger’s product listing.

Each ingredient plays a specific role:

• Water & sugar: Form the sauce’s base and signature sweetness
• Lemon juice concentrate & distilled vinegar: Deliver the tangy, sour edge
• Tomato paste: Adds body and a subtle savory depth
• Soy sauce: Contributes umami and a touch of saltiness
• Modified corn starch & xanthan gum: Thicken the sauce to its signature consistency
• Paprika extract: Provides the natural red-orange color

What’s NOT in Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce?

This sauce skips several ingredients found in less premium alternatives. It contains no high-fructose corn syrup, no artificial dyes, no added MSG, and no artificial preservatives. All ingredients are plant-derived, making it suitable for vegan diets.

Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce Calories

How many calories are in Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce?

A 2 tablespoon (36g) serving of Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce contains 60 calories, according to Kroger’s nutrition panel. There are 16 servings per 19.8 oz bottle. For comparison, the restaurant-served portion (1.8 oz) also comes in at roughly 70 calories, so the flavor and calorie count stay consistent between dine-in and at-home versions.

Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce Nutrition

What is the full nutrition breakdown?

Per 2 tablespoon (36g) serving, Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce contains 60 calories, 0g total fat, 55mg sodium, 14g total carbohydrates, 14g sugars (all added), and 0g protein, based on Kroger’s nutrition facts panel.

Is Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce gluten-free?

No. Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce is not gluten-free because it contains wheat from the soy sauce ingredient. Anyone avoiding gluten should look for a certified gluten-free alternative, such as Chung’s Sweet and Sour Sauce.

Is Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce vegan?

Yes. According to Kroger’s dietary information, the sauce is certified vegan, vegetarian, low fat, low sodium, and free of artificial ingredients. It contains no animal products of any kind.

Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce Bottle

What does the retail bottle look like and what sizes are available?

The standard Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce bottle holds 19.8 oz and is sold individually or in multi-packs of two, three, or six. It’s shelf-stable before opening, making it easy to stock in a pantry until you’re ready to use it.

Some shoppers who’ve tried both versions note a texture difference. One Walmart reviewer wrote that the bottled sauce “is pretty good, but it’s on the thinner side than what you’re used to getting in the restaurant.” If you prefer a thicker consistency, simmering the sauce briefly on the stove before serving can help it reduce slightly.

Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce Recipe

Can you make a homemade version of Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce?

Yes. A homemade copycat version typically combines ketchup, sugar, white vinegar, soy sauce, cornstarch, and water, simmered until thickened. This approach recreates the flavor using pantry staples in about 15 minutes.

A simple copycat method:

1. Combine 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/4 cup white vinegar, and 1/4 cup soy sauce in a saucepan
2. Bring to a bubble over medium-high heat
3. Whisk 3 tbsp cornstarch with 3 tbsp water until smooth
4. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the pan and cook until thickened
5. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra kick, if desired

For a citrus note closer to the retail bottle, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice added at the end helps bridge the flavor gap that some home cooks notice compared to the bottled version.

Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce Where to Buy

Where can you buy Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce?

Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce is widely available at Kroger, Walmart, Amazon, and other major grocery retailers, typically stocked in the Asian sauce aisle. Prices range from roughly $4.99 to $9.48 for a single 19.8 oz bottle, depending on the retailer.

Multi-packs generally offer a lower per-ounce cost, so if you go through the sauce quickly, buying in bulk can save money over time.

How to Use Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce

Beyond dipping egg rolls and rangoon, this sauce works well in several other applications:

• Glaze for wings or nuggets: Toss cooked chicken in warmed sauce for a sticky, sweet coating
• Stir-fry finisher: Add during the last few minutes of cooking to avoid burning the sugars
• Marinade: Coat chicken or pork for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking
• Sweet and sour chicken or pork: Use as the coating sauce for a classic homestyle dish
• Dipping sauce: Pair with potstickers, spring rolls, or even pizza crust

Storage and Shelf Life

Unopened bottles stay shelf-stable until the printed best-by date. Once opened, refrigerate immediately. Watch for off smells, discoloration, or mold as signs the sauce has gone bad, and avoid freezing since it can separate and lose its smooth texture upon thawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the ingredients in Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce?
The ingredients are water, sugar, lemon juice concentrate, distilled vinegar, tomato paste, soy sauce (water, wheat, soybeans, salt), modified corn starch, salt, seasoning (dextrose, natural flavor, onion powder), xanthan gum, and paprika extract for color.

Where can I buy Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce?
It’s available at Kroger, Walmart, Amazon, and most major grocery chains, usually stocked in the Asian sauce aisle. Prices generally range from $4.99 to $9.48 per 19.8 oz bottle depending on the retailer.

How many calories are in Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce?
A 2 tablespoon (36g) serving contains 60 calories, 0g fat, 14g carbohydrates, 14g added sugars, and 0g protein, per Kroger’s nutrition panel.

Is Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce vegan?
Yes, according to Kroger’s product page, it’s certified vegan, vegetarian, and free of artificial ingredients.

Is Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce gluten-free?
No, it contains wheat from the soy sauce ingredient, so it’s not suitable for gluten-free diets.

How long has Panda Express served Sweet and Sour Sauce?
Panda Express has served this sauce since 1983, when the first location opened at Glendale Galleria in California.

What foods pair best with Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce?
It pairs well with Cream Cheese Rangoon, egg rolls, spring rolls, potstickers, and other fried appetizers, as well as chicken wings and nuggets.

How does the bottled sauce compare to the restaurant version?
Some customers note the bottled version is thinner in consistency than the restaurant sauce. One Walmart reviewer described it as “more vinegar than your typical sweet-and-sour sauce.” Simmering it briefly can help thicken it to taste.

How long does Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce last after opening?
Refrigerate immediately after opening and use within a reasonable timeframe, discarding if you notice off smells, discoloration, or mold.

Does Panda Express Sweet and Sour Sauce contain MSG?
No added MSG is listed on the ingredient label, though trace amounts can occur naturally in soy sauce.