Sweet and Sour Pork with crisp bell peppers and juicy pineapple chunks is delicious as it's colorful! It's bursting with sweet and tangy flavors, perfect with steamed rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes!
If you're looking for weeknight dinner ideas that are easy on prep yet big on taste, sweet and sour pork is a must on your list! You'll love how simple this Chinese restaurant favorite is to make at home and how flavorful it turns out in less time it would take for delivery to get to your doorstep.
It's loaded with crispy-fried battered pork cubes, colorful red and green bell peppers, and juicy pineapple chunks that are sure to hit the spot. And that sweet and sour sauce? Pure gold over piping-hot steamed rice!
Cooking steps
This pork with pineapple stir-fry has three simple parts, resulting in an impressive meal with a guaranteed dinner winner.
- Marinate pork cubes in soy sauce and Chinese cooking wine, coat in flour and cornstarch mixture, and then deep-fry to golden, crunchy perfection.
- Make the deliciously sweet, tangy, and sticky sauce from pineapple juice, rice vinegar, ketchup, salt, and pepper, plus cornstarch to thicken.
- Add tender-crisp bell peppers and pineapple chunks for extra color and flavor.
Quick tip
You can finish off the sweet and sour pork dish two ways. You can drizzle the sauce just before serving to keep the pork nice and crispy or simmer the pork cubes in the sauce to soak it up. Either way, it's fantastic!
Slow-cooker version
Not in the mood for deep-frying or want to trim down the calories? Cook in the crockpot and enjoy a delicious, healthier meal without a lot of effort!
- Season the pork with salt and pepper. In a pan, heat about one tablespoon oil. Add the meat and sear for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels.
- Combine pineapple juice, rice, vinegar, ketchup, and brown sugar in a bowl. Whisk until well-blended.
- Place the onions, bell peppers, and pineapples in the slow cooker. Arrange the pork on top of the vegetables and pour in the sauce.
- Cover and cook on LOW for about 7 to 8 hours or on LOW for about 5 to 6 hours or until meat is tender.
- Combine two tablespoons of cornstarch and ยผ cup water in a small bowl. Stir until dissolved.
- Add the cornstarch and stir to combine. Continue to cook on HIGH for about 3 to 5 minutes or until thickened.
Serving suggestions
Sweet and sour pork is a delicious addition to any Asian-themed meal. Serve it with chow mein and steamed rice for a takeout fakeout dinner at home!
Storage and reheating instructions
- Cool completely and store in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat to an internal temperature of 165 F. Or microwave at 1 to 2-minute intervals until completely heated, stirring well between intervals.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork tenderloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine
- ยฝ cup flour
- ยฝ cup cornstarch
- salt and pepper to taste
- canola oil
- ยฝ red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into chunks
- ยฝ green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into chunks
- 1 small onion, peeled and sliced thinly
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
For the Sweet and Sour Sauce
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ยฝ cup rice vinegar
- ยผ cup ketchup
- ยฝ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine pork, soy sauce, and Chinese cooking wine. Stir until pork is coated and marinate for about 30 minutes. Drain well.
- In a bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, and salt, and pepper to taste. Dredge pork in flour mixture to fully coat.
- In a pan over medium heat, heat about 2 inches deep of oil. Add pork cubes and cook, turning as needed, for about 6 to 10 minutes or until golden, crisp, and cooked through.
- With a slotted spoon, remove pork from the pan and drain on paper towels. Keep warm.
- In a pan over medium heat, heat about 1 tablespoon oil. Add onions and bell peppers and cook, stirring regularly, for about 30 seconds or until half done. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels.
- In a bowl, combine sweet and sour ingredients and whisk until well combined.
- In the pan, add sauce mixture, whisking regularly, and bring to a boil. Continue to cook, whisking regularly, for about 2 to 3 minutes or until thickened.
- Add onions, bell peppers,ย and pineapple chunks. Cook for about 30 to 40 seconds or until tender yet crisp.ย
- Add fried pork and quickly toss to coat. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
- Alternatively, pan-fry the bell peppers, onions, and pineapple chunks until tender yet crisp. Arrange fried pork cubes on a platter and garnish with the sauteed bell peppers, onions and pineapple chunks. Drizzle with the prepared sweet and sour sauce just before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Information
โThis website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.โ
Gigie Nuรฑez says
good day.. meron po ba ibang alternative for the chinese cookinh wine?
Lalaine Manalo says
You can use dry sherry, mirin, or sake ๐ If you prefer non-alcoholic, just replace with chicken broth ๐
Serra Valentino says
I really love nd went to know about more cooking..
Lalaine Manalo says
You came to the right spot, Serra!
dimples says
Hi may i ask po kung anung pedeng alternative sa chinese cooking wine and rice vinegar? thanks!๐
Nyc_charity says
Cover and cook on LOW for about for about 7 to 8 hours or on LOW for about 5 to 6 hours or until meat is tender.
hours po ba or minutes?
Lalaine says
Hello!
YUng directions na yan is for slow cooker so it will take hours but if you're making it on the stovetop, just follow the instructions on the recipe card ๐
Nyc says
Cover and cook on LOW for about for about 7 to 8 hours or on LOW for about 5 to 6 hours or until meat is tender.
hours po ba or minutes?
Romina Estrada says
Hello po! Ask ko lng po kung ganyan din ang procedure pagluto ng sweet and sour chicken! Tnx po! ๐๐
Lalaine says
Hello Romina,
Yes, you can use chicken in this recipe ๐
noemi pestano says
Hi, just wanna ask... if there is no available Chinese cooking wine, what can we substitute? Thanks!
Lalaine Manalo says
You can use dry sherry, sake, or mirin ๐
Gabriel M. Tabuena says
Good day. Hi, kamusta po? im Gab Tabuena. im launching a webapp within the next few weeks. Ask ko lng po if i can include your recipes in my website. I can discuss it to you more po, just let me know. Thank you so much and GodBless!
Lalaine says
Hello Gabriel,
Thank you for asking but usually kasi I don't allow my recipes and photos used on other websites or apps lalo na kung for commercial use. Will you provide me with more information? Please email me at lymanalo@kawalingpinoy.com.