Sweet and Sour Pork with Pineapple

A delicious home recipe of a Chinese Sweet and Sour Pork recipe - takeout style - using regular ingredients without any MSG! Crispy fried battered chicken smothered in a homemade sweet and sour sauce with pineapple and peppers. This is my favorite Sweet and Sour recipe, I could drink this sauce!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Pantry Friendly - made with easy everyday Asian ingredients that you probably have in your pantry
• Healthy Chinese Food - Uncle Roger says MSG is ok, but this recipe is packed with fresh vegetables, no added food coloring and MSG Free! Healthier than take-out!
• Family Friendly - your kids and everyone in your family will love this, perfect for weeknight dinners

Ingredients You'll Need

• Pork Marinade - boneless Pork, Soy Sauce, Chinese Cooking Wine, Garlic, Cornstarch
• Pork Batter - flour, eggs, cornstarch, salt, baking powder
• Vegetables - Green Bell Pepper, Red Bell Pepper, White Onion
• Pineapple - can of Pineapple Chunks works great
• Sweet n Sour Sauce - Ketchup, Rice Wine Vinegar, Sugar, Soy Sauce, Pineapple Juice (from can), Cornstarch Slurry

How to Make Sweet and Sour Pork with Pineapple

Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce

1. Combine - in a saucepan, place the Ketchup, Rice Wine Vinegar, Sugar, Pineapple Juice and Soy Sauce. Bring to a simmer.
2. Cornstarch Slurry - make a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch and water.
3. Simmer - add slurry to sweet and sour sauce and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and set aside.

Sweet and Sour Pork with Pineapple

1. Marinate - place boneless pork strips into a bowl. Mix with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry), minced garlic and cornstarch and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Prepare Batter - mix together flour, eggs, cornstarch, salt, and baking powder in a bowl. Ensure it's thick, smooth and not lumpy. Add extra water if needed.
3. Coat Pork - toss marinated pork pieces in the batter.
4. Fry Pork - in a wok, heat 1 cup of oil until hot. Fry the battered pork pieces in small batches for about 4-5 minutes, until cooked and golden brown. Add the pork pieces one at a time, so they don't clump together as they fry.
5. Drain - remove to drain on a paper towel on a plate. Repeat until all the pork is cooked.
6. Flash Fry Vegetables - heat 1 tablespoon Oil in a wok until hot. Fry Onions, Bell Peppers and Pineapple Chunks for about 2 minutes. Return the Battered Pork to the wok and pour over Sweet and Sour Sauce. Toss to coat, serve right away over steamed white rice.

Sweet and Sour Variations

• Sweet and Sour Chicken - substitute Pork with boneless chicken breast or chicken thighs
• Spicy - add chili peppers or drizzle with Hot Sauce or Sriracha Sauce
• Vegetarian - toss with pieces of Tofu
• Sweet and Sour with Fish - substitute with large bite-size pieces of a firm, white fish for a seafood version, battered fish is so good!
• Bone-In Sweet and Sour Pork - use bone-in Pork Chops or Pork Ribs cut into individual pieces. Meat on the bone is flavorful and more tasty to eat

Recipe Tips and FAQS

• Wok It - use a wok as it requires less oil and has even heat distribution
• Boost Vegetables - add your favorite vegetables like Broccoli, Carrots, Baby Corn, Water Chestnuts or Snow Peas
• Even Cuts - cut Pork and vegetables into even sized pieces to ensure even cooking
• Small Batches - fry in small batches to maintain temperature of oil - ensures pork or chicken is crispy and isn't greasy, be patient!
• Dinner Timing - to help with your timing to serve dinner, rice takes 20 minutes to cook in a saucepan on the stove

Serving Suggestions

• Steamed Rice - the classic way to serve Sweet and Sour, can also use Jasmine Rice
• Brown Rice - a healthier rice, but takes longer to cook
• Fried Rice - adds extra flavor and texture to your meal
• Noodles - Chow Mein Noodles fried in the wok, or Lo Mein which are boiled Chinese noodles

Is Sweet and Sour Chinese?

Nope, not at all, at least in the traditional sense of a Chinese recipe they enjoy in China. This is an American invention, made by Chinese American immigrants. Because it's served in Chinese restaurants, uses a wok, and looks foreign, doesn't mean it's authentic Chinese.

Can I Use Fresh Pineapple?

Yes! Fresh and Ripe Pineapple has a natural flavor, has more nutrients and has better texture when cooked. Peel and core the Pineapple and chop into bite sized pieces (you'll need about 1 ½ cups). Remember to add ½ cup Pineapple Juice to your wok (as this isn't canned but fresh).

Can I Make Sweet and Sour Healthier?

Yes! Frying battered meat adds extra calories and cholesterol. Bake marinated Pork at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Alternatively substitute pork with Grilled Prawns (Shrimp) or Grilled Fish or Chicken.

Can I Make Sweet and Sour with Pineapple in Advance?

Yes. Prepare the ingredients in advance (fry pork, make sauce and cut vegetables). When ready to serve, flash fry the vegetables and mix together just before serving.

Storage

Place in an airtight container and keep refrigerated. Enjoy within 3 days. Reheat in microwave or frying pan on stove. Not recommended to freeze as it thaws and re-heats mushy.

Sweet and Sour Dip

Bookmark this recipe for the Sweet and Sour Sauce! Perfect as an easy dipping sauce for chicken nuggets, spring rolls, potato wedges, or even poured over a grilled chicken breast. The sauce will thicken as it cools, but will feel quite runny while hot. For a thicker sauce, add an additional teaspoon of cornstarch into the slurry. Make it in advance and keep it in the fridge to use later!

Asian Dinner Recipes You'll Love

• Teriyaki Chicken Marinade
• Kimchi Fried Rice
• San Choy Bow - Asian Lettuce Wraps
• Chicken Banh Mi - Vietnamese Subway Sandwiches
• Honey Sesame Chicken
• Thai Cauliflower Fried Rice
• Sweet Chili Chicken Drumsticks
• Salt and Pepper Shrimp

A healthier and tastier version of a classic American Chinese takeout. Sweet & Sour Pork is easier to make than you think, your family will love it! Chopsticks are optional, easy to eat with a fork, and kid approved! Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

©PetersFoodAdventures.com *originally posted August 2018, updated May 2024