Start by adding the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, garlic powder, and ground ginger to a medium-sized saucepan. Stir everything together until the sugar dissolves, creating a smooth mixture. This is your flavor foundation!

Place the saucepan over medium heat. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer while stirring occasionally. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine and intensify. You’ll notice the sauce starting to thicken slightly during this time.

In a separate bowl, combine cornstarch and water until smooth. Once the sauce has simmered and thickened slightly, gradually whisk in the cornstarch mixture, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. This will help the sauce reach the perfect consistency.

Once the sauce has thickened, it’s time to taste! If you’d like more sweetness, add an extra teaspoon of brown sugar. If you crave more tang, a bit more apple cider vinegar will do the trick. Adjust the flavors to your preference and give it a good stir.

After removing the pan from the heat, let the sauce sit for a few minutes to cool down. It will continue to thicken as it stands. Once it’s cooled slightly, it’s ready to be served!