Description
This Sweet and Sour Pork recipe offers a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors with tender pork cubes, colorful bell peppers, and pineapple chunks, all cooked in a vibrant sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a delicious and easy-to-make dish perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pork Marinade
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 pound lean pork (cubed)
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
For the Vegetables and Sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon ginger (grated)
- 1 red bell pepper (cut into 1 inch chunks)
- 1 green bell pepper (cut into 1 inch chunks)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 19 ounces pineapple chunks (drained, reserve juice for the sauce)
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¾ cup pineapple juice (reserved from chunks)
- ½ cup chicken stock
For Garnish
- Green onions (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pork Marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the beaten egg, 1 tablespoon sugar, salt, and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. This mixture will tenderize and flavor the pork.
- Coat the Pork: Add the cubed pork to the marinade and gently toss to evenly coat all pieces. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together white wine vinegar, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, cornstarch, reserved pineapple juice, and chicken stock until smooth. Set aside for later use.
- Cook the Pork: Heat 4 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated pork and cook, stirring frequently, until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 7 minutes.
- Remove Pork: Transfer the cooked pork to a plate and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add minced garlic, grated ginger, red and green bell peppers, and diced onion. Cook for about 3 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
- Add Pineapple and Sauce: Stir in the pineapple chunks and the prepared sauce mixture. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and becomes clear.
- Combine Pork and Sauce: Return the pork to the skillet and cook for an additional 2 minutes, ensuring everything is well coated and heated through.
- Serve: Serve the sweet and sour pork immediately over a bed of white long grain rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce.
- Adjust sugar and vinegar quantities to suit your taste for sweetness and sourness.
- Use fresh pineapple if canned is not available, but reserve juice for the sauce consistency.
- This recipe pairs well with steamed white rice or fried rice.
- To make it spicier, add a pinch of chili flakes or fresh chili slices when cooking the vegetables.
