Sweet and Sour Pork

Indulge in the irresistible flavors of Sweet and Sour Pork, featuring tender pork, juicy pineapple, and vibrant bell peppers. This easy-to-make takeout-style dish combines the perfect balance of sweet and sour notes, creating a mouthwatering culinary delight that you love from authentic Chinese restaurants.

Updated June 2023

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe

Looking for a mouthwatering dish that combines the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors? Look no further than this delectable Sweet and Sour Pork recipe. Packed with succulent pork tenderloin, vibrant bell peppers, and juicy pineapple, this dish will surely tantalize your taste buds. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be customized to suit your preferences.

Whether you’re enjoying it with rice, noodles, or as an appetizer, this family-favorite recipe promises to satisfy your takeout cravings and can easily be customized  if you need a healthier alternative.

Recipe Ingredients

To create the perfect harmony of flavors, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Pork tenderloin, cut into bite-sized pieces: The tender and juicy pork serves as the star ingredient of this dish.
• Fresh pineapple: Adding a touch of natural sweetness and tanginess, the pineapple complements the savory pork perfectly.
• Red bell pepper: The vibrant red bell pepper adds a pop of color and a hint of crispness to each bite.
• Green bell pepper: The green bell pepper offers a refreshing and slightly tangy flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
• Garlic: The garlic infuses the dish with its aromatic essence, adding depth and complexity to the flavors.
• Cooking oil: The cooking oil is used for deep frying the pork, giving it a crispy exterior while maintaining its tenderness. We use avocado oil but you can use canola oil or any neutral high-heat oil of your choice.

For the Pork Marinade

Before we begin cooking, let’s marinate the pork to enhance its flavor. Combine the following ingredients in a bowl:

• Low Sodium Soy sauce : The soy sauce adds a savory umami taste to the pork. If you prefer a gluten-free or soy-free option, we like to use coconut aminos or gluten-free tamari.
• Black pepper: The black pepper provides a subtle hint of heat and earthiness.
• Arrowroot starch, tapioca starch, potato starch or cornstarch: The starch helps tenderize the pork and creates a light coating when deep-fried. However, if you’re following a low-carb diet, feel free to omit it.

Frying Batter

To achieve a delightful crunch, we’ll coat the marinated pork in a flavorful frying batter. In a separate bowl, combine the following ingredients:

• Flour: You can use gluten-free all purpose flour, cassava flour or oat flour or almond flour. The flour creates a light and crispy coating for the pork.
• Salt: The salt enhances the overall flavor and helps to balance the sweetness of the dish.
• Black pepper: The black pepper adds a subtle heat and depth to the batter.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

The secret behind this dish’s irresistible taste lies in the delectable sweet and sour sauce. In a bowl, mix the following ingredients:

• Ketchup: The tomato ketchup provides a rich, tangy sweetness to the sauce. We like using our homemade ketchup or a no-sugar ketchup such as Primal Kitchen or Noble Made but feel free to use what you like or have on hand.
• Vinegar: The vinegar adds a pleasant tanginess and helps to balance the flavors.
• Worcestershire sauce: The Worcestershire sauce adds a savory and slightly tangy note to the sauce. However, if you’re looking for a gluten-free and vegan alternative, this Wizard Gluten-Free Worcestershire Sauce works great.
• Oyster sauce: The oyster sauce contributes to the umami depth of the sauce adding to the authentic Chinese takeout flavor. However, you can use a vegetarian oyster sauce such as this one from Naked Natural Foods.
• Arrowroot starch, tapioca starch, potato starch or cornstarch: The starch helps thicken the sauce to achieve a luscious consistency. If you’re watching your carb intake, you can omit it.
• Sugar: The sugar balances the tangy flavors and adds a touch of sweetness. For a healthier alternative, use coconut sugar, granulated pure maple sugar, monk fruit sweetener, erythritol or stevia.
• Water: The water helps to dissolve the ingredients and create a smooth sauce.
• Soy sauce: The soy sauce amplifies the umami flavors and adds depth to the sauce. Again, if  you prefer a gluten-free or soy-free option, we like to use coconut aminos or gluten-free tamari.
• Sesame oil: The sesame oil infuses the sauce with a delightful nutty aroma.

How to make Sweet and Sour Pork

Now that we have our ingredients prepared, it’s time to cook our Sweet and Sour Pork. Follow these simple steps:

• Cut the pork tenderloin into bite-sized pieces and marinate them for 20 minutes in the prepared marinade, allowing the flavors to penetrate the meat.
• While the pork marinates, heat up a skillet or frying pan and fill it with cooking oil for deep frying. The canola oil works well for this purpose, providing a high smoking point and a neutral taste.
• Once the pork is well-marinated, transfer it into the frying batter, ensuring that each piece is coated evenly. Deep fry the pork until it turns a beautiful golden brown. Remove the pork from the oil and let it drain on paper towels. (For an extra crispy texture, you can choose to deep-fry the pork a second time.)
• Heat up another frying pan or wok over medium heat and add a teaspoon of oil. Once the oil is heated, add the minced garlic and stir-fry for about a minute until fragrant.
• Add the chopped bell peppers and pineapples to the pan, and stir-fry for an additional 4-6 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispness for the vegetables.
• Pour in the sweet and sour sauce prepared earlier. Allow the sauce to come to a boil. As it simmers, it will naturally thicken. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings according to your preferences.
• Finally, add the cooked pork to the pan and gently mix all the ingredients together, ensuring that the pork is coated in the tantalizing sauce.
• For an elegant finishing touch, sprinkle some sesame seeds and cilantro on top. Serve the Sweet and Sour Pork with steamed white rice or as a standalone dish.

Tips for Success

• For tender and juicy pork, make sure to slice it against the grain.
• If you prefer a healthier alternative, you can air fry the pork instead of deep-frying it. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C), and cook the pork in batches for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
• Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the sauce to your liking by adding more sugar or vinegar, respectively.
• For added depth of flavor, you can include other vegetables such as onions, carrots, or snow peas.
• To make it spicier, consider adding a dash of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha sauce.
• Make sure the frying oil is at the correct temperature (around 350°F or 180°C) before adding the pork. This ensures that the pork cooks evenly and achieves a crispy texture.

Storage and Freezer Instructions

If you have leftovers or want to prepare this dish in advance, here are some storage and freezer instructions:

• Refrigeration: Place the cooled Sweet and Sour Pork in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: To freeze the dish, transfer the cooled pork and sauce into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat it in a skillet or microwave.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some creative serving suggestions to make your Sweet and Sour Pork even more delightful:

• Classic Combo: Serve the dish with steamed white rice for a satisfying and balanced meal.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap the rice for cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to make it a low-carb option.
• Fresh and Crispy: For an added crunch, garnish the dish with thinly sliced scallions or chopped peanuts.
• Party Pleaser: Transform the Sweet and Sour Pork into an appetizer by skewering the cooked pork pieces with toothpicks and serving them as bite-sized treats at gatherings.

Variations and Substitutions

Feel free to experiment and personalize this recipe according to your preferences. Here are a few variations and substitutions to consider:

• Protein Options: Substitute the pork with chicken, shrimp, tofu, or even a medley of vegetables for a vegetarian twist.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour and tamari instead of soy sauce to accommodate a gluten-free diet.
• Intensify the Flavor: Add a dash of ginger or garlic powder to the frying batter for an extra burst of flavor.

Helpful Information for a Successful Recipe

• To ensure a crispier coating, make sure the pork is well-drained after marinating and before coating it in the frying batter.
• Adjust the thickness of the sweet and sour sauce by adding more or less cornstarch. For a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with water separately before adding it to the sauce mixture.
• For a delightful presentation, serve the Sweet and Sour Pork in a hollowed-out pineapple shell. It adds a tropical touch and doubles as a stunning centerpiece.

More Chinese Takeout-Style Recipes you will love:

Kung Pao Chicken

Cashew Chicken

Chicken Chow Mein

5 from 2 votes

Print

Sweet and Sour Pork

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Resting Time

20 mins

Total Time

50 mins

 

Indulge in the irresistible flavors of Sweet and Sour Pork, featuring tender pork, juicy pineapple, and vibrant bell peppers. This easy-to-make takeout-style dish combines the perfect balance of sweet and sour notes, creating a mouthwatering culinary delight that you love from authentic Chinese restaurants.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

Keyword: asian pork recipe, chinese dinner recipe, easy chinese recipe

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 175 kcal

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb pork tenderloin , cut into 1" bite-sized chunks / pieces
• 1/2 fresh pineapple , peeled, cored and cut into 1" bite-sized chunks / pieces
• 1 red bell pepper , cut into 1" bite-sized chunks / pieces
• 1 green bell pepper , cut into 1" bite-sized chunks / pieces
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil , we like avocado oil but use preferred high-heat oil of choice

Pork Marinade:

• 1/2 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce , if  you prefer a gluten-free or soy-free option, feel free to use coconut aminos or gluten-free tamari.
• pinch black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch , sub with arrowroot starch, tapioca starch or potato starch if allergic to corn. Omit for low carb.

Frying Batter:

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (gluten-free or regular) , can sub with gluten-free oat flour, cassava flour or fine almond flour if needed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Sweet and Sour Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons ketchup , use a no-sugar added option such as Primal Kitchen or Noble Made for a healthier alternative
• 1/2 teaspoon vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce , if you're looking fora. gluten-free alternative, this Wizard Gluten-Free Worcestershire Sauce works great.
• 1 teaspoon oyster sauce , if you're looking fora. gluten-free alternative, we like this one from Naked Natural Food
• 1-2 teaspoons potato or cornstarch omit if low carb
• 1/2 tablespoon sugar , for a healthier alternative, you can use coconut sugar, granulated pure maple sugar, monk fruit sweetener, erythritol or stevia.
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce , again if you prefer a gluten-free or soy-free option, feel free to use coconut aminos or gluten-free tamari.
• 1/8 teaspoon sesame oil

Instructions

1. Cut the pork tenderloin into pieces and marinate pork for 20 minutes.

2. Mix all the ingredients for the sauce in a bowl and set aside.

3. Heat up a skillet or frying pan and fill with the cooking oil for deep frying.

4. Once the pork is well marinated, transfer into the frying batter and coat each piece well. Deep fry the pork until they turn golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels. (If desired you can deep-fry the pork a second time to make it extra crispy)

5. Heat up another frying pan or wok on medium and add 1 teaspoon of oil. Add the garlic once the oil is heated up and stir-fry for about 1 minute. Add the chopped bell peppers and pineapples and stir-fry for another 4-6 minutes depending on how crisp you want the vegetables.

6. Add the sauce and let it come to a boil. The sauce will thicken up and you can adjust or add in more seasonings according to your taste.

7. Add the pork and mix all the ingredients together.
8. Optional sprinkle some sesame seeds and cilantro and serve with or over white rice.

Recipe Notes

How to store:

• Refrigeration: Place the cooled Sweet and Sour Pork in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: To freeze the dish, transfer the cooled pork and sauce into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat it in a skillet or microwave.

Nutrition Facts

Sweet and Sour Pork

Amount Per Serving (1 serving (1/4 recipe))

Calories 175 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Carbohydrates 16g5%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 13g26%

* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclaimer: This updated post was generated on June 20, 2023 by ChatGPT, an AI language model, and all info should be reviewed and validated by a human for accuracy and relevancy before implementation.