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Sweet and Sour Pork

Last updated on June 18th, 2021 at 08:05 pm

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Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe [video]

Sweet and Sour Pork is a popular Chinese takeout made with a sauce of combined sugar, vinegar, and fruit juices. A simple dish that can easily be made at home, and tastes even better than take-out!

If you are a fan of Chinese takeout, try our other recipes like the Moo Goo Gai Pan, Hunan Beef, and Szechuan Chicken.

Easy Sweet and Sour Pork

Sweet and Sour Pork is made with chunks of pork that are seasoned, breaded, and perfectly fried. Then, the meat is covered in a flavorful sauce with vegetables. These vegetables add more flavor and savor to the whole dish. In addition, it balances the meat perfectly as it adds a nice taste of tanginess, sweetness, and fruitiness to it.

The meat is perfectly seasoned and complemented with a bunch of vegetables. It pairs well with everything, but we recommend serving it with coconut rice for a complete meal. 

With this recipe, you will no longer have to wait in line in Chinese restaurants, or order for delivery. In addition, it is quite cheaper and healthier making it at home on your own. Give it a try, and you will love every single bite of this delicious and colorful dish!

What is Sweet and Sour Pork?

It is a Cantonese-inspired dish that has been adjusted for the American taste. Particularly, it has been commonly prepared with ketchup that is not traditionally Chinese.

In this recipe, bite-sized pork is fried and then, stir-fried together with a red sauce that is both sweet and tangy. The sweetness comes from the sugar, while the tanginess comes from vinegar.

How to make Sweet and Sour Pork?

  1. Prepare the sauce – In a saucepan, mix all the sauce ingredients and whisk until the cornstarch is completely dissolved. Let it boil lightly over medium heat and stir until it is viscous enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  2. Prepare the meat – Heat up two inches of canola oil in a deep-frying pan to medium-high. Make a flour mixture by whisking together flour, salt, and pepper. Beat two eggs and place in a separate bowl. Coat the bite-sized chunks of tenderloin in egg, then, dredge in the flour mixture. Fry the breaded tenderloin until crispy. Work in batches as you go along.
  3. Combine – From the same frying pan that you used to cook the meat, discard most of the oil. Sauté the vegetables and pineapple chunks until tender. Add the sauce and the breaded meat and toss until everything is covered with the sauce.
  4. Serve – Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions and then, serve.

What to serve with Sweet and Sour Pork?

This is perfect with fried or steamed plain Jasmine rice. If you are unsure how to cook the perfect rice, learn how to do it with this instant pot rice recipe. Also, it pairs well with noodles or even soba noodles

How to make Sweet and Sour Pork Chops?

This recipe works well with chops as well. First, you will have to substitute the chops with tenderloin. Then, season the chops with pepper, and brown each side on a skillet. Once browned, combine them with the sauce. It’s that easy!

How to make the meat crispier?

To make the pork crispier, add some cornstarch to the flour mixture. Also, you can skip the eggs in general, and simply coat the seasoned meat with potato starch.

In any case, do not let it cook in the sauce for too long or it will lose the crispness and become soggy.

How to make healthier Sweet and Sour Pork?

By making it at home, you will already end up with a healthier dish. Also, you can skip the batter and deep-frying and just brown your lean tenderloin before mixing with the sauce. Also, you can use fresh pineapples instead of canned ones which usually drown in sugary syrup.

To store leftovers:

  • Simply put this in an airtight container and refrigerate to keep this for 4 days. In the freezer, it will be okay for even up to 4 months.
  • When ready to serve, simply bake it in the oven for not more than 10 minutes depending on the amount. The internal temperature of 165 degrees must be reached.

More Asian recipes:

Recipe Tips

  • Instead of ketchup, you can put tomato paste for a brighter red color and richer flavor. This is totally up to you. 
  • Also, when using canned pineapples, be sure to discard the liquid, or else, the sauce will be watery.
  • You can add some chili sauce for a spicier kick.

Sweet and Sour Pork

  • Prep Time20 MIN
  • Cook Time20 MIN
  • Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds pork tenderloin cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • canola oil for frying
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks
  • 1 red bell pepper cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 green bell pepper cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 yellow onion cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 3 cloves garlic minced

Sauce:

  • 2/3 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup water

Garnish:

  • Green onions
  • Sesame seeds

Instructions

Sauce:

  • Add all the ingredients to a medium saucepan and whisk to combine until the cornstarch is dissolved.
  • Place it on the stove over medium heat. Stir or whisk well until it comes to a light boil.
  • Keep stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Taste and adjust for sugar and tanginess.
  • Remove the sauce from heat when it thickened and it coats the back of a spoon.

Pork:

  • In a large, shallow bowl, whisk cornstarch flour, salt, and black pepper.
  • Add beaten eggs to another bowl.
  • Pour about 2 inches of canola oil into a deep frying pan and heat it over medium-high heat.
  • Dip the pork pieces into the beaten eggs.
  • Add the pork chunks to the cornstarch mixture and toss until well coated. Work in batches.
  • Cook it in batches in the hot oil until golden and crispy.
  • Remove to a plate and set aside.

Combine:

  • Once done cooking the pork, discard all the oil, leaving only 2 tablespoons in the pan.
  • Add the onion chunks, bell pepper chunks, garlic, and pineapple chunks, cook for 2-3 minutes, until just tender.
  • Add the sauce back to the pan, stir until all the veggies are coated well.
  • Add the pork back and stir again to coat well in the sauce.
  • Stir and cook until the sauce has thickened more and is simmering lightly.
  • Serve over rice, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

Nutrition Facts

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Comments

(7)
Beth Pierce

Beth Pierce

What an easy, and fun recipe for dinner! This has quickly become a favorite in our home!

Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert

Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert

What a great recipe! I have to put this on my menu!

Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert

Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert

Looks incredibly delicious! I would love to make this!

Juliane

Juliane

Looks really good! I can't wait to give this a try!

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