This Sweet and Sour Pork combines crispy pan-fried pork with garlic, celery, sweet bell peppers, and pineapple in a tasty sweet-and-sour sauce. It is so much better than takeout with healthy, wholesome ingredients and no deep-frying.
Indulge in a combination of tangy and sweet flavors with this popular Chinese dish. Learn how to make it in just a few easy steps. It is incredibly delicious, and with a bit of planning, it comes together quite quickly. For extra tenderness, marinate the pork for 30 minutes. Then, bread it and pan-fry it in a bit of oil for extra crispiness. I love to serve it over a bed of rice with a side of egg rolls, pork dumplings, or lettuce wraps.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Pork: Pork tenderloin or pork loin cut into bite-sized pieces
- Grated ginger: I love using ginger paste. 1 tablespoon of paste equals 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger. Always store it in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to a month.
- Chicken broth: Preferably low-sodium
- Ketchup: I like to use organic ketchup because it tastes better.
- Oil: Use a neutral oil like vegetable, canola, or peanut.
- Bell peppers: You can use any color bell peppers. But I think an assortment makes the dish look more attractive.
- Pineapple: If available, use fresh pineapple chunks instead of canned, as they are so flavorful.
How to make Sweet and Sour Pork
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
- Marinate the pork.
- Mix the sauce and simmer for a few minutes.
- Mix the cornstarch and flour. Bread the pork and fry it in hot oil.
- Cook the veggies, add the pineapple, and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the fried pork, simmered sauce, and chopped green onions, and toss to coat.
Serving Suggestions
- Appetizers: crab rangoon or gyoza
- Soup: egg drop soup, wonton soup, or hot and sour soup
- Rice: white like jasmine or basmati
- Noodles: rice or udon noodles
- Salad: Asian chopped salad, Asian noodle salad, or Asian cucumber salad
Preparation Tips
- When breading and frying the pork, work in small batches. Cook the pork until it is brown, crispy, and cooked through.
- Plan on serving this promptly while the pork is crispy, and the peppers are crisp-tender.
- If you like a little heat, add a few pinches of crushed red pepper or dashes of sriracha sauce.
More Stir Fry Recipes
Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe
Crispy breaded pan-fried pork tenderloin bites combined with vegetables and pineapple in a slightly sweet and tangy ginger Asian sauce. This homemade sweet and sour pork is better than takeout and the perfect stay-at-home dinner option.
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Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 544kcal
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1¼ pound pork tenderloin or pork loin cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- 1 tablespoon canola oil or vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- ⅓ cup pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoons rice vinegar
- ¼ cup ketchup preferably organic
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ⅛-¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes to taste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Stir Fry
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 3 tablespoons canola oil or vegetable oil
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 yellow or orange bell pepper chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- ½ pineapple cored and cut in chunks
- 2 green onions chopped
Instructions
- Add pork, egg, and soy sauce in a medium bowl or zipper storage bag. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- In a small saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over low heat. Add garlic and ginger; cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add chicken broth, pineapple juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, and, if desired, red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cool water. Whisk into the sauce and cook on low until slightly thickened, 2-3 minutes. Cover and remove it from the heat.
- Combine ¼ cup of cornstarch and flour in a medium bowl.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Using tongs, remove the pork from the marinade. Dredge the pork through the cornstarch mixture. Fry for about 2 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Work in batches, so you don't overcrowd the skillet.
- Carefully wipe out the skillet with a paper towel; it will be hot. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet over medium heat. Add the celery and bell peppers to the skillet and cook until just starting to soften, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Add the pineapple and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Add the simmered sauce, fried pork, and green onions to the pan. Heat through for 1-2 minutes. Serve promptly.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze for 2 months in a freezer safe container. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
- 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 may change the texture of the meat. Combine and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave at reduced power.
Nutrition
Calories: 544kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 1028mg | Potassium: 1058mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 2344IU | Vitamin C: 159mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 4mg
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Rosey
This would be great to make when my oldest son comes to visit. Sweet and Sour Pork is one of his favorites He does most of the cooking for his family, so it’s nice to spoil him sometimes with a meal he didn’t make.
Beth Pierce
That would be really nice. I am sure he would appreciate it.
Melanie Edjourian
I love sweet and sour dishes. Sweet and sour pork is so tasty. I love it with fresh pineapple too, it makes a big difference.
Elizabeth
I used fresh pineapple instead of canned as you mentioned and it was indeed great. I loved it. I can make this sweet and sour pork again and again.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Elizabeth! So glad that you liked it!
Heatherkleinwolf
Another 5 star recipe from Small Town Woman. So much better than restaurant takeout pork!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Heather! So glad that you like it!!
Millie
I love sweet and sour pork! This recipe was delicious and easy. Thanks for sharing it.
Cinny
Thanks for the great recipe. We loved it and we will make it again!
Bill
I just made this last night’s dinner and Got high praise from my family. I’m certainly making this again.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Bill! So happy that you and your family enjoyed it.
brianne
Wow, you just convinced me that I gotta try this. This sweet and sour pork looks so delicious!
Alita
I love sweet and sour pork. I always make this at home but I use a packet for the sauce which I just buy from the supermarket. But yours is so much better. I will make it again with your recipe.
Heather
Ohh this sweet and sour pork was so delicious. I can’t wait to make it again.