Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (2024)

Jump To Recipe Pin For Later

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (1)

By: Becky Hardin

This post may include affiliate links that earn us a small commission from your purchases at no extra cost to you.

This sweet and sour pork recipe is a perfect 30 minute recipe. Made with pineapple and lots of fresh veggies, serve it over rice or noodles for a delicious family meal.

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (2)

Skip the takeout and whip up this delicious sweet and sour pork recipe instead!

Full of bright, fresh and tangy flavors, it comes together so quickly and easily for a dinner the whole family will love.

For more Chinese recipes, be sure to check out my Sweet and Sour Chicken, Beef Lo Mein, and Super Easy Teriyaki Chicken.

Table of Contents

Why you will love this sweet and sour pork!

  • Quick: It takes 15 minutes to prep this recipe and 15 minutes to cook it. Perfect for when you are short on time!
  • One pot: This dinner is all made in one skillet, perfect if you don’t feel like spending time cleaning up!
  • Healthier: This Chinese pork is loaded with fresh veggies and protein. It contains a lot less salt and sugar compared to your usual takeout, but is just as delicious!

How to make sweet and sour pork

Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!

  • Toss the pork cubes in the egg mixture.
  • Mix together the ingredients for the sauce.
  • Brown the pork on all sides in the skillet, remove and set to one side.
  • Cook the garlic, ginger and veggies until softened.
  • Add the pineapple chunks and sauce and cook.
  • Return the pork to the sauce and cook for a couple of minutes and serve.
Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (3)

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (4)

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (5)

What do you serve with it?

I like to serve this sweet and sour pork on a bed of long grain white rice, like Basmati or Jasmine. You can also serve it on top of noodles if you prefer.

Garnish the pork with some sesame seeds and sliced green onion. I like to add some steamed broccoli on the side too.

Can you make it ahead of time?

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days, however, I find this dish tastes best freshly made as the vegetables tend to get soggy when it’s reheated. You can reheat it on the stovetop until it is heated through.

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (6)
Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (7)

Can you freeze it?

Yes! This recipe makes for a great freezer meal. Let it cool, and then transfer it to a freezer bag or safe container. It will keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw the pork in the fridge overnight before reheating on the stovetop.

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (8)
Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (9)

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • If your can of pineapple doesn’t have enough juice to make the ¾ cup required for the sauce you can add additional chicken stock to make up the difference.
  • Cut the pork into similar sized pieces so that it cooks evenly.
  • Make this sweet and sour pork gluten-free by using tamari in place of soy sauce.
Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (10)

More Easy Pork Recipes

  • Honey Mustard Pork Tenderloin and Potatoes
  • Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops Recipe
  • Grilled Pork Chops Recipe
  • Air Fryer Pork Chops
  • Crockpot Kalua Pork
  • Breaded Pork Chops Recipe (Baked and Not Fried)

Recipe

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe

4.38 from 32 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 15 minutes minutes

Cook: 15 minutes minutes

Total: 30 minutes minutes

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (11)

Serves4 people

Print Rate

Save Shop our store

This sweet and sour pork recipe is a perfect 30 minute recipe. Made with pineapple and lots of fresh veggies, serve it over rice or noodles for a delicious family meal.

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (12)

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.

Ingredients

  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 pound lean pork cubed
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger grated
  • 1 red bell pepper cut into 1 inch chunks
  • 1 green bell pepper cut into 1 inch chunks
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 19 ounces pineapple chunks drained, reserve juice for the sauce

For the Sauce:

  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¾ cup pineapple juice
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • Green onions for garnish
  • Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, mix together the egg, 1 tablespoon sugar, salt and 1 tablespoon soy sauce.

  • Add the pork cubes and gently toss to coat. Set aside.

  • In another medium bowl, mix together the white wine vinegar, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, cornstarch, pineapple juice, and chicken stock, to make the sauce. Set aside.

  • In a large skillet over medium high heat, heat the 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the pork mixture and cook, stirring frequently, until the pork has browned on all sides and is cooked through, about 7 minutes.

  • Transfer the pork cubes to a plate and set aside.

  • Add the garlic, ginger, red and green pepper and onion to the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes, until vegetables are tender but still a bit crisp.

  • Add the pineapple chunks and the sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce is no longer cloudy and has thickened a little.

  • Return the pork to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes more.

  • Serve immediately over a bed of white long grain rice garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days, however, I find this dish tastes best freshly made as the vegetables tend to get soggy when it’s reheated.
  • Cut the pork into similar sized pieces so that it cooks evenly.
  • Make it gluten-free by using tamari in place of soy sauce.
  • If your can of pineapple doesn’t have enough juice to make the ¾ cup required for the sauce you can add additional chicken stock to make up the difference.
  • I like to serve this sweet and sour pork with long grain rice and steamed broccoli or green beans for a healthy and satisfying meal. You could also serve it over chow mein noodles instead of the rice.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 478kcal (24%) Carbohydrates: 50g (17%) Protein: 29g (58%) Fat: 18g (28%) Saturated Fat: 3g (19%) Cholesterol: 116mg (39%) Sodium: 1173mg (51%) Potassium: 919mg (26%) Fiber: 4g (17%) Sugar: 39g (43%) Vitamin A: 1168IU (23%) Vitamin C: 81mg (98%) Calcium: 59mg (6%) Iron: 3mg (17%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (13)

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (14)

Upload A PhotoTag on
Insta
Leave A Rating

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (15)

Claim your free ebook!

Subscribe to have posts delivered straight to your inbox!! PLUS get our FREE ebook!

Sign Me Up

Subscribe

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

16 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

June Frost

Posted on 1/15/2022

Made sweet and sour pork recipe delicious and easy to follow.Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (16)

Reply

Becky Hardin

Posted on 1/20/2022

Reply to June Frost

Thanks for sharing, June!

Reply

Judy

Posted on 1/14/2022

I usually add broccoli florets or asparagus and julienned carrots and cut back on the peppers.Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (17)

Reply

Becky Hardin

Posted on 1/20/2022

Reply to Judy

That looks delicious, Judy!!

Reply

Renee Schouten

Posted on 9/7/2021

Is there a substitute for the white wine vinegar?

Reply

Becky Hardin

Posted on 9/8/2021

Reply to Renee Schouten

Rice vinegar!

Reply

Renee Schouten

Posted on 9/8/2021

Reply to Becky Hardin

so can i use red wine vinegar?

Reply

Becky Hardin

Posted on 9/15/2021

Reply to Renee Schouten

You can give it a shot!

Reply

Judith Lawler

Posted on 3/12/2021

I used rice vinegar, and vegetable oil. Frankly this was as good, or better than the restaurant. Highly recommended, and easy.Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (19)

Reply

Becky Hardin

Posted on 3/17/2021

Reply to Judith Lawler

Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Judith!

Reply

Constanze P Asaad

Posted on 1/13/2021

I replaced the olive oil with sesame seed oil toasted and untoasted. Olive oil spoils the flavor and is not right for this dish.Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (20)

Reply

Becky Hardin

Posted on 1/14/2021

Reply to Constanze P Asaad

Sorry to hear it wasn’t up to your taste!

Reply

Helen Betts

Posted on 8/27/2020

Thanks, Becky! I was thinking maybe country style ribs since they’re very lean, but pork chops would be fine, too!

Reply

Helen Betts

Posted on 8/26/2020

It sure would be nice to get an answer to my question of a week and a half ago (I think it was) as to what cut of pork to use. Anyway, it did sound good, but guess I won’t be making it now.

Reply

Becky Hardin

Posted on 8/27/2020

Reply to Helen Betts

So sorry, Helen! Thinly cut pork chops will probably work best!

Reply

Helen Betts

Posted on 8/17/2020

Well, it sounds and looks good, but what cut of pork do you use for it? I can’t guess from “lean pork”!

Reply

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in Sweet and Sour Pork? ›

Ingredients
  • 2/3 cup packed brown sugar.
  • 2/3 cup cider vinegar.
  • 2/3 cup ketchup.
  • 2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce.
  • 1 pound boneless pork loin, cut into 1-inch cubes.
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil.
  • 1 medium onion, cut into chunks.
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced.
Aug 9, 2023

How do Chinese make pork so tender? ›

How do you tenderise pork for stir fry? Velveting is a Chinese technique that helps keep meat tender during stir frying. Adding cornstarch and bicarb to your meat during the marinating process helps to coat your meat, giving it a velvety feel that makes the meat feel extra soft.

What is the difference between Chinese and Korean Sweet and Sour Pork? ›

If you're a big fan of Chinese sweet and sour pork, then you will love this Korean version! The main difference is the sweet and sour sauce is much lighter in color and the pork is usually served on the side to retain its crispiness.

How do you keep pork moist and tender? ›

Brining pork chops is one of the best ways way to guarantee a juicy cooked pork chop. Even a quick 30-minute brine (or up to four hours) makes a big difference. It's not strictly necessary — you can still use this method to make great pork chops even without brining — but if you have some extra time, I recommend it.

What is Chinese sweet and sour sauce made of? ›

In a medium saucepan, combine pineapple juice, rice vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Why is sweet and sour pork so red? ›

How do you make sweet and sour pork red? Restaurants often put a drop of red food coloring to brighten up the color of the dish. You can add this when mixing the sauce. If you don't mind a more natural color, the sauce will get its color from the ketchup and brown sugar.

What do Chinese put on meat to make it tender? ›

While there are several ways to velvet, a pound of meat needs about two teaspoons of cornstarch and two teaspoons of oil, says Leung. You may also include two to three tablespoons of water. For beef, add a 1/4-teaspoon of baking soda for tenderizing. Additional seasonings are optional and vary from recipe to recipe.

What liquid tenderizes pork? ›

Soak your pork in a salt-based brine before cooking it using your desired method. Pork chops need to soak between 12–24 hours, an entire pork tenderloin needs to soak for 6–12 hours, and an entire pork loin requires 2–4 days of soaking. Rinse the brine from the meat after the brining period is complete.

Is sweet and sour pork eaten in China? ›

Sweet and sour pork is a Chinese dish particularly popular in Westernised Cantonese cuisine and may be found worldwide. Several provinces in China produce various dishes that claim to be the ancestor, including a traditional Jiangsu dish called “pork in a sugar and vinegar sauce” (糖醋里脊; pinyin: táng cù lǐjǐ).

What is interesting about sweet and sour pork? ›

The story goes that this dish was created in Chencun, a town in Shunde district, but was originally made with ribs rather than diced pork. Visiting foreigners loved it, but disliked the bones, so chefs started to cook it with the well-marbled pork shoulder.

Is sweet and sour Chinese healthy? ›

Worst: Sweet and Sour Pork

It typically serves up 16 teaspoons of sugar, about the same amount in 3 chocolate bars. If that isn't bad enough, the syrupy sauce coats chunks of deep-fried pork. Even if you split this entree with someone, you're still likely to get more than 800 calories and 48 grams of fat.

Does pork get more tender the longer you simmer it? ›

What happens during slow-cooking, with juice or sauce, is that the collagen that's in the meat's muscular tissues is gradually transformed into some kind of gelatin and thus allows the piece to be more tender, the more it simmers. With pork, we would also find the pork roast, especially the pork shoulder roast.

What liquid should I cook pork in? ›

Aside from barbecue sauce, something tangy and sweet is a good go-to for slow-cooked pork. Apple cider vinegar has the right amount of acidity to break down the fattiness and is equipped with a bright flavor that pairs beautifully with pork. Using liquids you would normally drink is also a good choice.

Does lemon juice make pork tender? ›

Lemons are highly acidic, making them a great meat tenderizer. A thick coating of lemon juice applied one hour before cooking will draw water from the meat, thus, improving the meat's texture. Adding too much of this marinade could actually toughen the meat.

What is sweet pork made of? ›

There are a few sweet pork recipes out there but I've found the best one to be this near-perfect imitation of Cafe Rio's sweet pork. The key ingredients are (besides pork, of course) Coca-Cola, brown sugar, chilis, enchilada sauce, and spices. Accept no substitutions!

Is Sweet and Sour Pork authentic Chinese food? ›

Sweet and sour pork, or guō bāo ròu, is one of the dishes served in American Chinese restaurants that doesn't have its roots in Cantonese cooking. Instead, it's from the colder climes of northeastern China, in a city called Harbin in Heilongjiang province.

What are the ingredients in no name sweet and sour sauce? ›

Ingredients: Water, Sugars (sugar, Plum Puree, Concentrated Pineapplejuice), Modified Corn Starch, White Vinegar, Tomato Paste, Salt,seasoning, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Red Bell Pepper Powder,beta-carotene Colour, Annatto Extract Colour.

What is pork flavor made of? ›

The pork flavor seasoning is made from the following components of: by weight, 40-50% of pork extract, 10-15% of refined lard, 3-8% of yeast extract, 5-10% of sugar, 5-10% of salt, 0.5-1% of taurine, 0.5-1% of sodium succinate, 6-10% of monosodium glutamate, 0.5-1.5% of compound amino acid, 1-2% of nucleotide, 1-1.5% ...

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 5659

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.