What to do when a sauce is too sweet – Christmas cooking advice you need to know

EVERYONE likes a good sauce to accompany their Christmas dinner, whether it's cranberry, apple or mint.

But if you're making your own, getting the taste just right can be tricky.

How can I make a sauce less sweet?

Add some citrus

Citrus juice is great for balancing out sugar because it is quite sour.

Make sure you choose a citrus that will work well with the sauce - orange goes well with cranberry, for example.

Add more spice

If you've taste tested your sauce and you think it is too sweet, try adding more spice.

Any spice that is bitter, sour or salty will do the trick.

But steer clear of any spice that has a sweeter taste as that will only worsen your problem.

Use vinegar

Vinegar works in the same way as citrus.

Apple cider vinegar is the best option, although this trick is best kept to savoury sauces like tomato sauce.

Use a tangy dairy product

Sour cream, tangy yoghurt or crème fraîche can also be used to counteract sweetness.

Make sure you only use this trick in an already creamy sauce though - adding yoghurt to a citrus-based sauce is a recipe for disaster.

Add a pinch of salt

This trick is all about finding balance. Add too much salt and your sauce will still be spoiled.

Add little bits at a time and taste test as you go.

Salt may not mask the sweetness altogether, but it will work alongside it to balance it out.