Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe

Introduction

Sweet and Sour Pork is a classic dish that delights with its irresistible balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors. Crispy pork pieces are tossed with colorful veggies and a luscious sauce that excites your palate with each bite. This crowd-pleasing main course is simple enough for a weeknight dinner, but impressive enough to serve at family gatherings or special occasions.

Why You’ll Love This Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe

This version of Sweet and Sour Pork stands out for its perfectly crisp pork and vibrant sauce made with pantry staples. The combination of tender meat, bell peppers, and pineapple chunks creates a flavor-packed meal that’s both satisfying and visually appealing. Plus, it comes together quickly for a restaurant-quality taste at home.

Secrets to Crisp, Juicy Pork

Achieving the perfect texture starts with lightly coating the pork in cornstarch before frying. This creates a beautifully crisp exterior while keeping the meat juicy inside. Stir-frying with bell peppers and onions adds sweetness and crunch, while pineapple provides the signature tang.

The Irresistible Sweet and Sour Sauce

The sauce is a star in this dish, combining ketchup, vinegar, and just the right amount of brown sugar for a delightful balance. A dash of soy sauce rounds things out for complexity. Simmering the sauce until it thickens ensures it clings to every bite.

Serving Suggestions for a Memorable Meal

Serve your Sweet and Sour Pork over fluffy steamed rice or alongside simple fried rice for a filling meal. Garnish with sliced green onions or toasted sesame seeds for a beautiful finish. This dish also pairs well with sautéed bok choy or a light, crisp salad.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 4 hearty servings. Each serving contains approximately 400–480 calories, depending on the portion of pork and additional garnishes. Enjoy it as an occasional treat for a satisfying, flavor-packed dinner.

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe (Recap)

Classic Sweet and Sour Pork offers bold flavors and contrasting textures, making it the ultimate family favorite. Enjoy restaurant-style results with fresh, wholesome ingredients and a straightforward cooking process.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe on CookifyAI to automatically generate a sorted shopping list for all ingredients, which helps streamline your grocery trips and meal prep through the week.

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, toss pork cubes with salt, pepper, egg, and cornstarch until each piece is well coated.
2. Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a wok or deep pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, fry the pork in batches until golden brown and crisp (about 3–4 minutes per batch). Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
3. Pour out excess oil, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan. Stir-fry the onions and bell peppers for about 2 minutes until slightly softened. Add pineapple chunks and cook for 1 more minute.
4. In a bowl, combine ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, and water. Pour sauce into the pan, bring to a simmer, and cook for 2–3 minutes.
5. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens and turns glossy (about 1 minute).
6. Add the fried pork pieces to the pan, tossing to coat everything evenly with the sauce. Serve immediately over rice and garnish as desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

Sweet and Sour Pork is a fantastic addition to any weekly meal plan—prep it ahead or enjoy leftovers for lunch. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to generate a smart shopping list and organize your meal weeks.

Planning Benefits:

– Consolidates ingredients from multiple recipes, ensuring you buy just what you need
– Sorts grocery lists by store section for efficient shopping
– Reduces food waste by calculating total quantities needed across your meal plan

Pro tip: When scheduling Sweet and Sour Pork alongside other meals with overlapping ingredients (like bell peppers or onions), plan your recipes and let CookifyAI calculate your totals—no more forgotten items or duplicate purchases!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes