What is sweet and sour pork?

Sweet and sour pork is a classic Chinese dish featuring tender pork in a balanced sauce that combines both sweet and tangy flavors. The dish typically includes pork (often belly or shoulder) cooked with vegetables like bell peppers and pineapple in a sauce made from sugar, vinegar, ketchup, and various seasonings. The contrasting flavors create a complex taste profile that's both savory and refreshing.

How do you make sweet and sour pork?

To make sweet and sour pork, start by cutting pork into bite-sized pieces. Brown the pork in a pan, then remove and set aside. Sauté onions, garlic, and bell peppers until soft. Return the pork to the pan with pineapple chunks, then add a sauce mixture of ketchup, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, and chicken stock. Simmer until the pork is tender and the sauce has thickened, typically 25-35 minutes.

What ingredients are needed for sweet and sour pork?

Essential ingredients for sweet and sour pork include: 1.5 lbs pork belly or shoulder, cut into cubes; 1 large onion, diced; 2 bell peppers, sliced; 1 cup pineapple chunks; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup ketchup; 1/4 cup rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 1 cup chicken stock; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; and salt and pepper to taste. Optional additions include ginger and chili flakes for extra heat.

How long should you cook sweet and sour pork?

Sweet and sour pork typically requires 25-35 minutes of simmering time. After browning the pork pieces for 5-7 minutes, the cooking process involves sautéing vegetables for 5 minutes, then combining all ingredients and simmering on low heat. The dish is ready when the pork is fork-tender and the sauce has thickened to coat the ingredients. For best results, avoid overcooking as the pineapple can become mushy with extended cooking times.

What dishes pair well with sweet and sour pork?

Sweet and sour pork pairs excellently with steamed white rice, which helps balance the bold flavors. Fried rice or noodles also work well as bases. For a complete meal, serve with steamed vegetables like broccoli or bok choy, and a light cucumber salad to provide freshness. The dish also complements other Chinese favorites like spring rolls, dumplings, or stir-fried vegetables as part of a larger spread.

Sweet And Sour Pork: Secrets to Perfect Flavor Balance

Name: Sweet And Sour Pork
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: – 1.5 lbs pork belly or shoulder, cut into cubes for providing the hearty base and tender texture that makes the dish satisfying, ensuring your sweet and sour pork stays juicy and flavorful; – 1 large onion, diced for adding a sweet crunch and depth to the stir fry, balancing the tangy elements in this classic Chinese pork dish; – 2 bell peppers, sliced for bringing vibrant color and vitamins, enhancing the health benefits while adding a fresh, crisp contrast to the sauce in your sweet and sour pork; – 1 cup pineapple chunks for infusing natural sweetness and tropical vibes, which is why it’s a star in many authentic sweet and sour pork recipes for that perfect balance; – 3 cloves garlic, minced for offering a punchy aroma and flavor, elevating the overall taste of this tangy pork dish without overwhelming the other ingredients; – 1/2 cup ketchup for serving as the base for the sauce, providing tanginess and a smooth consistency that’s essential for the best sweet and sour pork sauce; – 1/4 cup rice vinegar for delivering the sour kick that defines this pork recipe, making it a must for achieving that authentic Asian cuisine feel; – 2 tablespoons sugar for balancing the acidity in the sauce, ensuring your sweet and sour pork isn’t too sharp and keeps everyone coming back for more; – 1/4 cup soy sauce for adding umami and saltiness, which helps tie all the flavors together in this versatile Chinese pork dish; – 1 cup chicken stock for keeping the mixture moist and flavorful, acting as a liquid base that makes the sauce in your sweet and sour pork stir fry rich and glossy; – 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for browning the pork, it helps achieve that crispy exterior that’s a highlight of how to make sweet and sour pork; – salt and pepper to taste for seasoning the dish perfectly, allowing you to adjust based on your preferences for this authentic sweet and sour pork recipe

Description

🐷 Delight in the harmonious sweet and sour flavors that make this pork dish a delicious balance of tastes, perfect for a flavorful family meal.
🐷 Experience the tender pork with a tangy sauce that’s quick to prepare, offering a satisfying and versatile option for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

– 1.5 lbs pork belly or shoulder, cut into cubes for providing the hearty base and tender texture that makes the dish satisfying, ensuring your sweet and sour pork stays juicy and flavorful

– 1 large onion, diced for adding a sweet crunch and depth to the stir fry, balancing the tangy elements in this classic Chinese pork dish

– 2 bell peppers, sliced for bringing vibrant color and vitamins, enhancing the health benefits while adding a fresh, crisp contrast to the sauce in your sweet and sour pork

– 1 cup pineapple chunks for infusing natural sweetness and tropical vibes, which is why it’s a star in many authentic sweet and sour pork recipes for that perfect balance

– 3 cloves garlic, minced for offering a punchy aroma and flavor, elevating the overall taste of this tangy pork dish without overwhelming the other ingredients

– 1/2 cup ketchup for serving as the base for the sauce, providing tanginess and a smooth consistency that’s essential for the best sweet and sour pork sauce

– 1/4 cup rice vinegar for delivering the sour kick that defines this pork recipe, making it a must for achieving that authentic Asian cuisine feel

– 2 tablespoons sugar for balancing the acidity in the sauce, ensuring your sweet and sour pork isn’t too sharp and keeps everyone coming back for more

– 1/4 cup soy sauce for adding umami and saltiness, which helps tie all the flavors together in this versatile Chinese pork dish

– 1 cup chicken stock for keeping the mixture moist and flavorful, acting as a liquid base that makes the sauce in your sweet and sour pork stir fry rich and glossy

– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for browning the pork, it helps achieve that crispy exterior that’s a highlight of how to make sweet and sour pork

– salt and pepper to taste for seasoning the dish perfectly, allowing you to adjust based on your preferences for this authentic sweet and sour pork recipe

Instructions

1-First Step: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients Start by getting all your ingredients ready, just like in any great pork recipe. Chop 1.5 lbs of pork belly into cubes and slice 2 bell peppers and 1 large onion this mise-en-place keeps things organized. For a dietary twist, if you’re going gluten-free, swap soy sauce now to avoid any rush later. Trust me, this step sets you up for sweet and sour success in about 10 minutes!

2-Second Step: Brown the Pork Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat, then add the pork cubes. Brown them for 5-7 minutes until they’re golden and crispy, stirring occasionally to get even color. This builds flavor for your sweet and sour pork, and if you’re watching calories, drain any excess fat here. It’s a simple way to ensure your tangy pork stays the star of the show.

3-Third Step: Sauté the Vegetables Once the pork is set aside, toss in the diced onion, sliced bell pepper, and minced garlic into the same pan. Sauté for about 5 minutes until they’re soft and fragrant, which adds that fresh crunch to your Chinese pork dish. If you want to adapt for low-calorie preferences, add in extra veggies like carrots for more volume without the guilt.

4-Fourth Step: Combine and Add the Sauce Return the browned pork to the pan along with 1 cup pineapple chunks. In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/4 cup soy sauce, and 1 cup chicken stock to create your sauce. Pour it over the ingredients and stir well, letting it simmer for 20-25 minutes until everything is coated and tender. This is where the magic happens for your sweet and sour pork stir fry adjust seasonings to taste for that perfect balance.

5-Fifth Step: Simmer and Thicken Keep the heat on low and let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a glossy finish this usually takes another 5-10 minutes. If you’re making an authentic sweet and sour pork recipe, check that the pork is fork-tender without overcooking. For variations, add chili flakes here if you like it spicy, making it versatile for different tastes.

6-Final Step: Serve and Enjoy Once done, remove from heat and let it rest for a minute before serving over rice. Garnish with fresh herbs if you like, and pair it with something like our slow cooker pepper steak for a complete meal. This sweet and sour pork is best enjoyed hot, and it’s a hit for family dinners trust me, everyone will ask for seconds!

Notes

🐷 Marinate the pork for 30 minutes beforehand to enhance tenderness and flavor.
🍲 Use fresh pineapple for a more vibrant and tangy sauce.
🥦 Adjust the sugar and vinegar ratios to fine-tune the sweet-sour balance to your taste.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Marinating: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stir-frying
Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 400 per serving
Sugar: 15 grams
Sodium: 600 milligrams
Fat: 20 grams
Saturated Fat: 5 grams
Unsaturated Fat: 14 grams
Trans Fat: 0 grams
Carbohydrates: 30 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Protein: 25 grams
Cholesterol: 70 milligrams

Keywords: Pork, Sweet, Sour, Balance