Sweet and Sour Pork: A Delicious and Easy Recipe to Make
- Lais
- Feb 8
- 5 min read
Sweet and Sour Pork is a classic dish that blends savory, tangy, and sweet flavors into a satisfying meal. It’s one of those recipes you’ve likely enjoyed at Chinese restaurants, but did you know you can easily make it at home?
Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned pro, this recipe will show you how to prepare this flavorful dish in no time!
In this guide, we’ll take you through each step, from selecting the right ingredients to perfecting the sauce. Plus, we’ll share helpful tips and tricks to ensure your Sweet and Sour Pork turns out restaurant-quality every time.
What is Sweet and Sour Pork?
Sweet and Sour Pork is a dish that typically combines crispy pork with a vibrant sauce made of vinegar, sugar, and ketchup or pineapple juice. It’s often paired with bell peppers, onions, and pineapple for a crunchy texture and burst of flavor. The dish is famous for its balance between tangy, sweet, and savory notes, making it a crowd favorite.
Ingredients for the Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe
To make this dish, you’ll need the following ingredients. Don’t worry, most of them are easy to find at your local grocery store!
For the Pork:
1 lb pork tenderloin or pork shoulder, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch (for coating the pork)
1 egg
1/4 cup flour (for a crispy texture)
Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup sugar (you can adjust this to taste)
1/4 cup pineapple juice (fresh or canned)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch (to thicken the sauce)
1/4 cup water
For the Vegetables:
1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
1 green bell pepper, cut into chunks
1 medium onion, cut into chunks
1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Sweet and Sour Pork
1. Prepare the Pork:
The first step in making Sweet and Sour Pork is to prepare the pork. Start by cutting the pork tenderloin into bite-sized pieces. If you prefer a more tender cut, pork shoulder is another great option.
Next, marinate the pork pieces in a tablespoon of soy sauce for about 10 minutes to enhance the flavor. After marinating, coat each piece of pork in cornstarch. This will help give your pork a crispy texture when fried.
Dip the coated pork pieces into a beaten egg, followed by a light dusting of flour. This double-coating technique ensures the pork gets extra crispy on the outside while staying tender on the inside.
2. Fry the Pork:
Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. You’ll want the oil to be hot but not smoking.
Carefully add the pork pieces in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the pork until golden brown and crispy, which should take about 4-5 minutes per batch. Once done, remove the pork from the oil and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
3. Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
While the pork is frying, it’s time to make the sweet and sour sauce. In a bowl, mix together the ketchup, vinegar, sugar, pineapple juice, soy sauce, and water. Stir well until the sugar is fully dissolved.
In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in a little water to make a slurry. Add this slurry to the sauce mixture and stir to thicken the sauce. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, remove it from the heat.
4. Sauté the Vegetables:
In the same pan where you fried the pork, add a bit more oil if needed and sauté the onions and bell peppers for about 2-3 minutes. You want them to be slightly tender but still crisp. Add the pineapple chunks in the last minute of cooking to heat them through.
5. Combine Everything:
Now that your pork, sauce, and vegetables are ready, it’s time to bring everything together. Add the crispy pork back into the pan with the sautéed vegetables. Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the top and toss everything to coat evenly. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to ensure everything is well combined and heated through.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
Your Sweet and Sour Pork is ready to be served! Serve it over steamed rice or enjoy it on its own as a delicious, flavorful dish. You can garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro or green onions for an extra pop of color and flavor.
Tips for the Best Sweet and Sour Pork
Adjust the sweetness: If you prefer your sauce to be more or less sweet, feel free to adjust the amount of sugar or pineapple juice.
Double-fry the pork: For extra crispiness, you can fry the pork twice. After the first fry, let it rest for a few minutes, then fry it again for a minute or two until it’s super crispy.
Add more vegetables: Feel free to add more vegetables like carrots, snap peas, or mushrooms to your dish for extra flavor and nutrition.
Make it ahead: You can prepare the sauce and vegetables in advance to save time on busy nights.
FAQs about Sweet and Sour Pork
Q: Can I make Sweet and Sour Pork without frying the pork?
A: Yes! You can bake the pork pieces instead of frying them to make the dish lighter. Just coat the pork in cornstarch and bake it in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes until crispy.
Q: Can I use chicken instead of pork?
A: Absolutely! If you prefer chicken, you can easily substitute it in this recipe. Chicken breast or thigh would work well for this dish.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: You can store leftover Sweet and Sour Pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it in a skillet over low heat to keep the pork crispy.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to make Sweet and Sour Pork at home, you can enjoy this classic dish whenever you crave it! With a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re cooking for family dinner or a special occasion, this recipe will impress everyone at the table.
Tags
Sweet and Sour Pork
Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe
Easy Chinese Recipes
Homemade Sweet and Sour Pork
Pork Dinner Ideas
Chinese Pork Dishes
Crispy Pork Recipe
Sweet and Sour Sauce
Dinner Recipes
Family Dinner Recipes
Comments