This Agrodolce Sauce with Red Onion is the perfect pairing for many dishes. Try this sweet and sour sauce with foods like roasted veggies!
Hi, I'm Sarah Harper. I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves to cook, eat, and talk about food! Here at The Addy Bean, you'll discover an array of flexitarian recipes. My mission is to inspire and encourage others to eat and explore the world of plant-based foods!

Agrodolce Sauce with Red Onion

This Agrodolce Sauce with Red Onion is a magical addition to many meals. I enjoy making this every fall and winter to pair simply with roasted veggies. Agrodolce Sauce with Red Onion elevates the simplest of dishes.

Agrodolce Sauce with Red Onion in a small white bowl on a white background

 

What is Agrodolce Sauce

Agrodolce literally means sour and sweet in Italian. The sour sauce flavors  combine ingredients like sugar or honey with vinegar or other acidic ingredients.

Agrodolce sauces add a unique balance to dishes like veggies, meats, and seafood. The sauce can be thick or thin, and the cook has the flexibility to use their taste buds to guide them in their agrodolce-making journey.

Why I Made This Recipe

I love simple recipes with big flavors. This scrumptious sauce can be added to simple roasted or air-fried squash, Brussel sprouts, root vegetables, salmon, chicken, or baked tofu.

I made this recipe for Thanksgiving last year after watching a video from Justine Snacks! Her Agrodolce Cabbage with Chili Delicata Squash recipe heavily influenced my Warm Brussel Sprouts Salad with Acorn Squash.

 

Hot Brussels Sprout Salad close up with a wooden spoon

 

Ingredients

  • Red Onion: Another onion like shallots can be used
  • Herbs: Like rosemary and thyme
  • Avocado Oil: Olive oil works as well.
  • Honey: Option to sub for maple syrup
  • Red Chili Flakes: For a little kick
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Option to use red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or other vinegar of choice.
  • Salt & Pepper

Other add ins include golden raisins, dried chopped cherries, sliced grapes, or other fruits.

 

How to Make This Recipe

Sauté Aromatics

Place the sauté pan on medium heat. Then, add the avocado oil, rosemary, thyme, and red onion to the pan and sauté for 5 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.

Combine Sweeteners and Vinegar

Add honey and red pepper flakes, and continue to sauté for 1-2 minutes.

Turn the heat off and stir in the apple cider vinegar.

Adjust to Taste

Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper to taste.

 

Agrodolce Sauce with Red Onion in a small white bowl on a white background

 

FAQ (Ask a Dietitian!)

What is Agrodolce Sauce Made of?

Agrodolce sauce is typically made of vinegar, sugar, oil, and aromatics like onion, garlic, and herbs.

What Does Agrodolce taste like?

Agrodolce tastes sweet yet sour, complex yet balanced. The exact taste of agrodolce can vary depending on the recipe and the cook. Moreover, the beauty of agrodolce is it is versatile and can suit different dishes based on personal preferences.

How do you use Agrodolce Sauce?

You can use an agrodolce recipe to compliment many foods. Below are several delicious examples of dishes that are elevated with Agrodolce Sauce with Red Onion.

  • Pizza
  • Sandwiches
  • Warm Grain Bowls like Greens and Ancient Grains Bowl
  • Roasted Vegetables
  • Salads
  • Air Fryer Veggies like Winter Squash
  • Spooned over proteins like Baked Tofu, Pan seared Salmon, or Roasted Pork Chops.

 

Roasted brussels and acorn squash on sheet pan

 

Enjoy This Recipe? Try These Fantastic Sauces

Agrodolce Sauce with Red Onion in a small white bowl on a white background

Agrodolce Sauce with Red Onion

Sarah Harper MS, RD, LDN
This Agrodolce Sauce with Red Onion is sweet, sour, and delicious. It is the perfect compliment for roasted veggies, baked tofu, or sandwiches, and salads.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 6 serving
Calories 73 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 saute pan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 red onion chopped or sliced
  • 1 sprig rosemary
  • 2 sprigs thyme
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp red chili flakes
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt
  • tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

Sauté Aromatics

  • Place the sauté pan on medium heat.
  • Then, add the avocado oil, rosemary, thyme, and red onion to the pan and sauté for 5 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.

Combine Sweeteners and Vinegar

  • Add honey and red pepper flakes, and continue to sauté for 1-2 minutes.
  • Turn the heat off and stir in the apple cider vinegar.

Adjust to Taste

  • Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 73kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 0.3gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 104mgPotassium: 47mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 116IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.2mg
Keyword condiment, sauce
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Sarah Harper in her kitchen with a cutting board, broccoli, carrots, and a fruit bowl.
Website | + posts

Hi, I'm Sarah Harper. I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves to cook, eat, and talk about food! Here at The Addy Bean, you'll discover an array of flexitarian recipes. My mission is to inspire and encourage others to eat and explore the world of plant-based foods!

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Sarah Eating for food on a stick

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