Delicious Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe for Family Dinners
Introduction
Sweet and Sour Pork is the ultimate combination of bold flavors—juicy pork with a crispy coating, all tossed in a glossy, tangy-sweet sauce. This vibrant dish is a guaranteed family favorite, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Not only is it delicious, but the homemade version is fresher and healthier than takeout, all while capturing those classic flavors everyone craves.
Why This Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe Shines
What sets this recipe apart is the balance of tender pork, crunchy peppers, and that unmistakable sweet-tart sauce. A quick, high-heat fry locks in flavor and juiciness, and the sauce is incredibly simple to whip up with pantry staples. This is the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table—colorful, aromatic, and utterly satisfying.
The Perfect Sweet and Sour Sauce
Crafting the sauce at home is effortless and ensures maximum flavor. Ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, and a touch of soy sauce combine for the perfect balance—sweet, tangy, and savory. A bit of cornstarch thickens the sauce until it beautifully coats every piece of pork and veggie. For extra brightness, add a splash of fresh pineapple juice.
How to Create Restaurant-Quality Crispy Pork
For the crispiest pork bites, toss pieces in a light batter made with cornstarch and flour. Fry quickly in hot oil until golden and crunchy. The quick method keeps the inside moist while delivering that beloved crunch—a texture the whole family loves.
Serving Suggestions: A Colorful, Crowd-Pleasing Platter
Serve your Sweet and Sour Pork over fluffy steamed rice or with a side of crispy noodles. Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra flair. Bell peppers and pineapple chunks make this dish as eye-catching as it is tasty—a true centerpiece for any dinner table.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields about 4 generous servings, making it ideal for family dinners. Each serving contains approximately 450-500 calories, depending on the amount of oil absorbed during frying and your choice of sides. Packed with protein and fresh vegetables, it’s a balanced and hearty meal.
Why Families Love This Sweet and Sour Pork (Recap)
With a crispy golden coating, a zesty, sticky sauce, and colorful veggies, this dish is the perfect family dinner—exciting, comforting, and universally loved.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by grocery section—perfect for stress-free family meal planning and efficient grocery shopping!
Instructions
- Prep the pork: Season pork cubes with salt and pepper. In a bowl, combine cornstarch and flour. Dip each piece of pork in beaten eggs, then dredge in the cornstarch-flour mixture.
- Fry the pork: Heat oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Fry pork pieces in batches until golden and crispy, about 3 minutes per batch. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Sauté the veggies: Pour out oil, leaving 1 tablespoon in the pan. Add bell peppers, onion, and pineapple. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until just tender but still vibrant.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, and pineapple juice. Pour into the pan with the veggies. Bring to a simmer, then add cornstarch slurry. Stir until the sauce thickens and turns glossy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Toss and serve: Return the crispy pork to the pan. Gently toss everything to coat the pork and veggies evenly in the sauce. Remove from heat. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately over rice or noodles.
Weekly Meal Planning
This Sweet and Sour Pork is a dream for weekly meal planners—easy to prep ahead, and leftovers taste fantastic for lunch! Save and schedule this recipe to your meal plan to seamlessly generate a consolidated shopping list with all ingredients tallied and sorted by store section.
Planning Benefits:
- Automatically adds up ingredient amounts across all your planned meals
- Keeps your shopping list organized by grocery category
- Reduces duplicate purchases and forgotten items
- Makes meal prep for busy weeks simpler and more enjoyable
Pro tip: When you’re planning several family dinners, schedule your recipes to spot overlapping ingredients. For instance, if multiple meals call for bell peppers or eggs, the app totals your needs—so you never overbuy or come up short!
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Enjoy vibrant flavors and convenient family dinners with this delicious Sweet and Sour Pork!
