Delicious Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe for Family Dinners

Introduction

Bringing together tender pork, tangy sauce, and vibrant vegetables, Sweet and Sour Pork is a classic dish beloved for its lively flavors and beautiful presentation. This recipe offers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy notes that make it a staple for family dinners. It’s simple enough for a weeknight meal, yet impressive enough to serve when entertaining guests.

Why This Sweet and Sour Pork is a Family Favorite

This recipe stands out because it combines crispy, golden pork with a glossy homemade sweet and sour sauce bursting with flavor. The colorful mix of bell peppers, pineapple, and onion makes it not only enticing to the eye but also appealing to a wide range of taste buds. It’s a crowd pleaser—kids love the tender meat and sweet sauce, while adults appreciate the vibrant textures and balanced flavors.

Making the Signature Sauce

The sauce is what sets Sweet and Sour Pork apart. Crafted from pantry staples like ketchup, vinegar, and brown sugar, it’s quick to whisk together. Pineapple juice and a hint of soy sauce create a compelling, well-rounded flavor profile. To avoid a runny or overly sticky sauce, gently simmer until it’s slightly thickened and coats the back of a spoon.

Perfectly Cooked Pork Every Time

For the pork, cubes of tenderloin or shoulder are key. A light dusting of cornstarch creates that signature crispy crust when fried. Work in small batches to maintain oil temperature and achieve even browning. Once fried, transfer the pork to a rack or paper towel to stay crisp while you quickly cook the vegetables.

Serving Suggestions for an Unforgettable Family Dinner

This dish shines when served over steaming jasmine rice or fluffy white rice, where every spoonful soaks up the tangy sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, or fresh cilantro for an extra burst of flavor. Pair with stir-fried greens or a quick Asian slaw for a complete and vibrant dinner spread.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This Sweet and Sour Pork recipe yields approximately 4 hearty servings. Each serving usually ranges from 450 to 500 calories, depending on the cut of pork and oil used for frying. It’s a satisfying meal that fits perfectly into a balanced weeknight dinner rotation.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—ideal for stress-free grocery trips and seamless meal planning.

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pork: In a bowl, season pork cubes with salt and pepper. Toss with 1/2 cup cornstarch until evenly coated.

2. Fry the Pork: Heat 1-inch oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry pork in batches, turning to brown all sides (about 3-4 minutes per batch). Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.

3. Sauté Vegetables: Remove excess oil, leaving 2 tablespoons in pan. Add onion, bell peppers, and garlic. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until just tender. Add pineapple and cook for 1 more minute.

4. Make the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, and pineapple juice. Pour into the pan and bring to a simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook, stirring, until sauce thickens (about 2-3 minutes).

5. Combine and Serve: Return fried pork to the pan, tossing to coat with sauce and vegetables. Serve immediately over hot rice, garnished with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

Sweet and Sour Pork is a versatile dish that works well for prepping ahead and fitting into your weekly meal plans. Save and schedule this recipe to plan exactly which night you’ll make it, and automatically generate smart shopping lists for all your meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically tallies total ingredient needs across all recipes
• Keeps your shopping list organized by aisle—never miss an ingredient again
• Prevents overbuying (or running short) by combining quantities for overlapping ingredients
• Simplifies prep days by consolidating grocery pickups and chopping sessions

Pro tip: When making multiple meals that use similar pantry staples, schedule them together and let CookifyAI’s planner keep your grocery list accurate and efficient, reducing food waste and saving money.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Enjoy this delicious Sweet and Sour Pork recipe for your next family dinner—and streamline your nights with smart meal planning that keeps everyone happy and your week organized!