Sweet and Sour Pork is one of those timeless dishes that never goes out of style. It’s bold, colorful, and full of flavor, combining crispy pork with a vibrant sauce that strikes the perfect balance between tangy and sweet. Whether you’re enjoying it at your favorite Chinese restaurant or making it at home, this dish brings comfort and excitement to the table in every bite.
The hallmark of Sweet and Sour Pork is the contrast of textures and flavors. The pork is typically coated in a light batter and fried until golden and crispy. This creates a crunchy exterior that holds up beautifully when tossed with the glossy sauce. Inside, the meat stays tender and juicy, offering a satisfying bite that’s both hearty and flavorful.
The sauce is what makes this dish stand out. Made with a mix of vinegar, sugar, ketchup, and sometimes soy sauce or pineapple juice, it has a bold, tangy sweetness that pairs perfectly with the savory pork. It’s sticky, shiny, and clings to every piece of meat and vegetable, creating a mouthwatering glaze that keeps you coming back for more.
To complete the dish, bell peppers, onions, and chunks of pineapple are often added to the stir-fry. They provide crunch, color, and a touch of freshness that balance the richness of the pork and the intensity of the sauce. Each bite brings together crispy pork, sweet fruit, and tender vegetables for a dynamic, flavorful experience.
Sweet and Sour Pork is typically served with steamed rice, which helps soak up the extra sauce and rounds out the meal. It’s a popular choice for weeknight dinners or special occasions and can be prepped ahead to save time. Some variations use leaner cuts of pork or swap in chicken or tofu for a lighter version, but the essence of the dish remains the same — bold, balanced, and incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork tenderloin 450g, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1 onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, and 1/2 cup water to make the sauce.
- In a large skillet or wok, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove pork from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the garlic, onion, bell peppers, and pineapple. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Return the pork to the skillet and pour in the sauce. Stir to coat the pork and vegetables. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with steamed rice.
OMG this is amazing! I made it for my family and they devoured it. Definitely making again!
The amounts are clear, but I wish it specified whether to cook the pork with the peppers at the same time. Otherwise it feels a bit hectic.
I found it too sweet. Maybe use less sugar next time.
I thought it was perfect! The sweetness really balances the sourness. Maybe you just have a different taste?
Too sweet? Nah, just add more vinegar if you want it tangier! That’s how you fix it!
gud food! I lik it! very nice. lol
This recipe is just wrong. Sweet and sour should not have ketchup. What on earth…
Too much sugar for me. I think if I do make again will cut down on that. Thanks for the recipe!
Meh. My kids wouldn’t eat it. Not making this again.
Not bad, but mine came out a little too sour. I think my vinegar was stronger than usual. Still ate it all though lol.
Oof, yeah—rice vinegar can be way punchier depending on brand. Next time try cutting it by like 1–2 tbsp or add a little more brown sugar to balance it out. Glad you still ate it all though 😄
Maybe you used white vinegar by mistake? I did that once and it was super tangy. Also, did you measure the ketchup and sugar right—sour pork needs more sweetness than you think.
I followed the recipe exactly and it tasted like sweet ketchup soup at first… but after simmering the full 3 minutes it improved a lot. Next time I’ll add a pinch of ginger.
I burnt the pork! How do you cook it without getting it all tough? I really messed this up. 🙁
Pretty good, but mine got a little too thick even after simmering 2-3 mins. Next time I’ll add the cornstarch slurry slower or use slightly less. Flavor is still solid though.
Who puts pineapple in pork? That’s just wrong! Never trying this again.
Pineapple in pork is actually really common in some cultures! Give it a try before you knock it. 🙂
Soo good! A perfect balance of sweet and sour. I think I just found my new favorite dinner!
Followed the instructions, but It was way too sweet for me. Maybe less sugar next time?
Suger?? I like sweet, but not. Maybe add some chili flakes to make it better? Sweet and spicy sounds good!
I think the recipe’s just got too much sugar for my taste as well. Maybe cut it in half next time? That can help balance it out.
Pretty good balance of sweet and tangy. I added a pinch of chili flakes too and it kicked it up. Next time I might use chicken, just for variety.
Not a fan. It was too sweet for my taste. I thought it would be more savory?
I messed it up and burned the pork… Definitely not a chef here. 😅
Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us! Maybe try it again with a lower heat next time. 🍽️
Burnt pork? Yikes! Just order takeout next time! 😂
Not bad haha, I just used whatever veggies I had. Didn’t have brown sugar, so I used white sugar. Still good!
I’m skeptical about pineapple in savory dishes. I dunno if I’ll try this.
Honestly, I found this recipe too sweet for my taste. Maybe next time, I’ll use less sugar.