Make Sweet and Sour Pork at Home Easily

Introduction

Sweet and Sour Pork is a classic takeout favorite known for its irresistible combination of crispy pork, vibrant vegetables, and a glossy, tangy sauce. Crafting this beloved dish at home is surprisingly simple, allowing you to tailor the flavors, adjust sweetness and tang, and enjoy a fresh, restaurant-quality meal in your own kitchen. This recipe strikes the perfect balance between convenience and authenticity, ensuring a satisfying dish every time.

The Appeal of Homemade Sweet and Sour Pork

What makes Sweet and Sour Pork such a hit is its crowd-pleasing flavors and textures: crunchy pork bites, juicy chunks of pineapple, and crisp bell peppers, all coated in an addictive sweet-and-sour glaze. Making it at home lets you control every detail—so your pork stays crispy and vegetables vibrant instead of soggy, creating a meal that beats most takeout hands down.

How to Make an Authentic Sweet and Sour Sauce

The hallmark of a great Sweet and Sour Pork is the sauce. This recipe features a balanced blend of ketchup, vinegar, pineapple juice, and a touch of sugar, resulting in just the right tang and glossy finish. For extra depth, use both white and rice vinegar, and simmer the sauce briefly to allow the flavors to meld before tossing with the pork and vegetables.

Assembling Your Sweet and Sour Pork

To keep the pork extra crispy, coat each bite-sized piece in a light batter and fry until golden brown. Set the pork aside on a rack while you stir-fry bell peppers, onion, and pineapple. The secret is to toss everything in the sauce just before serving—this preserves the perfect crispness and gives every bite maximum flavor.

Serving Suggestions for Sweet and Sour Pork

Serve over steamed jasmine rice or alongside fried rice for a complete meal. Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds for a burst of freshness and crunch. Sweet and Sour Pork pairs beautifully with simple vegetable stir-fries or classic appetizers like spring rolls for a feast-worthy dinner.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves four and typically provides around 480–540 calories per serving, depending on portion size and oil usage. It’s a hearty dish that combines protein, vegetables, and fruit in one bowl—perfect for a satisfying dinner.

Make Sweet and Sour Pork at Home Easily (Recap)

Homemade Sweet and Sour Pork is a flavor-packed, crowd-pleasing meal that you can whip up with ease. The combination of crispy pork, tangy sauce, and fresh veggies makes it irresistible for families and dinner guests alike.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to effortlessly generate a streamlined shopping list with all ingredients sorted by grocery store section. This keeps your meal planning efficient and ensures nothing is forgotten on your next trip!

Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, season pork cubes with salt and pepper. Dip the pork in beaten eggs, then coat well with cornstarch until every piece is evenly covered.
2. Heat 1 to 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok to 350°F (175°C). Fry the pork in batches until golden and crisp, about 4 minutes per batch. Drain on a rack or paper towels.
3. In a separate pan or wok, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high. Add onion and bell peppers, stir-frying for 2–3 minutes until just slightly tender. Add pineapple chunks and toss to combine. Remove vegetables to a plate.
4. To make the sauce, whisk together ketchup, rice vinegar, white vinegar, sugar, pineapple juice, and soy sauce in a small pot. Bring to a gentle simmer. Add cornstarch slurry and stir until the sauce thickens and turns glossy, about 1–2 minutes.
5. Return cooked pork and vegetables to the wok. Pour in the sweet and sour sauce, tossing to evenly coat every piece. Serve immediately, garnished with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

Sweet and Sour Pork is a fantastic addition to your regular meal plan. Save and schedule this recipe to your weekly planner and let CookifyAI combine all the necessary ingredients with your other planned meals—perfect for saving time, money, and headspace.

Planning Benefits:

– Calculates complete ingredient quantities for all scheduled recipes
– Automatically organizes shopping lists by grocery store section
– Helps avoid duplicate purchases and forgotten ingredients
– Streamlines your entire weekly meal prep and planning process

Pro tip: Schedule your recipes inside CookifyAI to spot ingredient overlaps. For example, if you use bell peppers here and in another dish, CookifyAI sums the total so you buy just the right amount—no extra peppers left behind.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Enjoy the unbeatable flavor and fun of Sweet and Sour Pork—made simply and efficiently in your own kitchen!