Sweet and Sour Pork

Name: Sweet and Sour Pork
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 1/4 pound pork tenderloin cut in bite size chunks; 1 egg beaten; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 4 tablespoons canola oil; 2 cloves garlic minced; 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger; 1 cup low sodium chicken broth; 1/3 cup pineapple juice; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1/4 cup ketchup (preferably organic); 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce; 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper; 5 tablespoons cornstarch; 1 tablespoon flour; 2 stalks celery chopped; 1 red bell pepper chopped; 1 yellow or orange bell pepper chopped; 1 green bell pepper chopped; 1/2 pineapple cored and cut in chunks; 2 green onions chopped

April 3, 2020 by Beth Pierce 50 Comments

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE POLICY FOR DETAILS. AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

This Sweet and Sour Pork brings crispy pan-fried pork together with garlic, celery, sweet bell peppers, and pineapple in a slightly sweet tangy Asian sauce. So much better than takeout with healthy wholesome ingredients. I love to serve it over a bed of rice with Sweet Pork Dumplings.

This Sweet Sour Pork brings crispy fried pork together with garlic, celery, sweet bell peppers and pineapple.

This homemade sweet and sour pork is one of my husband’s favorite recipes. It really is incredibly delicious and with a little planning, it comes together quite quickly. I pan fry the pork in a little oil to get it good and crispy. Then I place the fried pork in a warm oven while I prepare the rest of the dish. I love to serve our sweet and sour pork over white rice or Udon Noodles which are thick wheat flour noodles. I like to use fresh pineapple but you could use canned as well.

Crispy breaded pan fried pork tenderloin bites combined with sweet bell peppers and pineapple in a ginger Asian sauce.

How do you make Sweet and Sour Pork?

Start by marinating the pork in a beaten egg with a little soy sauce for about 30 minutes or so. Meanwhile chop the garlic, celery, peppers, and green onions and cut the pineapple. Now in a small saucepan heat a little bit of oil over low heat. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for one-minute stirring constantly. Now stir in the chicken broth, pineapple juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, crushed red pepper, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes. Next, whisk together a little bit of cornstarch with some cool water. Whisk into the sauce and continue cooking until slightly thickened.

Put some cornstarch and flour in a large plastic bag. Now use tongs to remove the fried pork from the marinade shaking it to remove any excess marinade. Then working in batches add the pork to the bag and shake to coat. Next, add a little oil to a heavy skillet over medium heat. Once it is good and hot add the coated pork and cook until it is brown, crispy, and cooked through. It will take about 2-3 minutes on each side. Once browned remove to a plate and place in the oven on warm.

If needed, carefully wipe out the skillet as it will be very hot. Now heat a little more oil in the skillet over medium heat and add your celery and bell peppers. Cook until just starting to soften which is around 5-6 minutes. Now add the pineapple and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Finally add the fried pork, simmered sauce, and chopped green onions, and heat through. For best results serve this homemade sweet and sour pork promptly.

Crispy breaded pan fried pork tenderloin bites served over white rice with tender green and red peppers and pineapple

What to serve with it

White Rice
Brown Rice
Rice Noodles
Udon Noodles
Pork Stuffed Wonton Soup
Lettuce Wraps
Hot and Sour Soup
Simple Salad with Ginger Dressing
Add to this Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe

Sweet and Sour Pork is incredibly delicious and with a little planning it comes together quite quickly.

Recipe note and helpful tips

If available use fresh pineapple instead of canned as it is so full of flavor.
Plan on serving this promptly so the pork is still crispy and the peppers aren’t soggy.
If you like a little heat add a few pinches of crushed red pepper or a couple of dashes of sriracha sauce.
When breading and frying the pork work in small batches. Cook the pork until it is brown, crispy, and cooked through.
You can use any colored bell peppers but I think an assortment makes the dish look more attractive.
If you know you are reserving some of the dish or another meal remove that amount without adding the pineapple. Then add the pineapple right before serving your leftovers. Pineapple is very acidic and it will change the texture of the meat.

More pork recipes to try!