Sizzling Crispy Sweet And Sour Pork Recipe For Dinner Joy

Craving a delightful twist on classic sweet and sour pork that sparks excitement at your dinner table?

Bold flavors dance through this crispy sweet and sour pork recipe, promising a culinary adventure that breaks traditional boundaries.

Succulent pork pieces get coated in a perfectly balanced glaze that tingles taste buds with tangy and sweet notes.

crispy exterior meets tender interior, creating a textural symphony that guarantees instant satisfaction.

Every bite delivers a harmonious blend of zesty pineapple, vibrant bell peppers, and perfectly seasoned meat.

Comfort meets excitement in this restaurant-quality dish you can masterfully prepare at home.

Hungry for a meal that impresses and delights?

Dive right in and make magic happen.

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe Variations for Bold Flavors

• Chicken Sweet and Sour Swap: Replace pork with boneless chicken thighs or breasts for a leaner protein option that maintains crispy texture and absorbs marinades perfectly.
• Vegetarian Friendly Makeover: Substitute pork with firm tofu or tempeh, using cornstarch coating to create a crispy exterior that mimics traditional sweet and sour protein.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free flour blend instead of wheat flour, replace soy sauce with tamari, and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for sensitive diners.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Eliminate flour coating, use almond flour or crushed pork rinds for crunch, and reduce sugar content in sauce by using sugar substitute or monk fruit sweetener.

Serving Sweet and Sour Pork with Rice or Noodles

• Party Platter Magic: Create a colorful buffet-style spread with extra pineapple chunks, green onion garnish, and sesame seeds sprinkled on top for added texture and visual appeal.
• Restaurant-Style Presentation: Plate the sweet and sour pork on a white rectangular dish with rice arranged neatly on the side, drizzling extra sauce in an artistic pattern for a professional look.
• Family-Friendly Combo: Pair the dish with vegetable spring rolls, extra steamed rice, and cold cucumber salad to create a complete meal that offers variety and balanced flavors for everyone at the table.
• Quick Lunch Upgrade: Pack leftovers in a bento-style container with compartments for pork, rice, and vegetables, making it a convenient and delicious next-day lunch option.

Storage Tips for Leftover Sweet and Sour Pork

• Store leftover sweet and sour pork in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain food safety and quality.
• Pack cooled pork in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2-3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread pork on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through, restoring some crispiness.

FAQs

• Why should I marinate the pork before cooking?

Marinating helps the pork absorb flavor and become more tender. The combination of water, garlic powder, onion powder, sesame oil, and soy sauce infuses the meat with delicious seasonings and helps prevent dryness during cooking.

• How do I get the pork extra crispy?

Double-frying is the secret to achieving super crispy pork. First fry the pork for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden, then drain and fry a second time. This technique creates a crunchy exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender.

• Can I substitute the pineapple juice in the sauce?

While pineapple juice adds a unique sweetness, you can use orange juice as an alternative. The citrus will still provide a tangy flavor that complements the sweet and sour sauce.

Crispy Sweet and Sour Pork for Takeout-Style Dinners

• Conquer Crispy Perfection: Double-frying technique guarantees extra crunchy pork that stays irresistibly golden and texture-rich, making every bite a delightful crunch experience.
• Master Flavor Fusion: Carefully balanced marinade and sauce blend savory, sweet, and tangy elements, creating a complex taste profile that elevates traditional sweet and sour pork.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows simple ingredient swaps or additions like different vegetables or protein options, making it perfect for adaptable home cooking adventures.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Straightforward cooking steps and minimal specialty ingredients mean you can whip up a restaurant-quality meal without extensive preparation or hard-to-find components.

Sweet and Sour Pork Ingredient Checklist for Cooks

• Pork Cubes: Tender meat that serves as the main protein for this delicious dish.

• Water, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Sesame Oil, Soy Sauce: Flavorful combination that helps tenderize and season the pork before cooking.

• Flour, Cornstarch, Salt, Pepper: Dry mixture that creates a crispy exterior for the pork.
• Egg: Helps the coating adhere to the meat and provides additional crispiness.

• Ketchup, Vinegar, Sugar, Pineapple Juice: Sweet and tangy components that create the classic sweet and sour flavor profile.

• Ginger, Onions, Bell Peppers, Pineapple: Fresh ingredients that add texture, flavor, and color to the dish.

• Vegetable Oil: Used for sautéing sauce ingredients and frying the pork to achieve a crispy texture.

• Steamed Rice: Perfect accompaniment to complement the sweet and sour pork.

Instructions for Frying Crispy Sweet and Sour Pork

Step 1: Marinate Tender Pork Cubes

• Water
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Sesame oil
• Soy sauce

Drop your pork cubes into the marinade and let them soak up all the delicious flavors for half an hour.

Step 2: Craft the Tangy Sauce Base

Heat a saucepan with vegetable oil over medium heat.

Toss in fresh ginger and let it sizzle and release its aromatic magic for about a minute.

Step 3: Simmer Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Ketchup
• Vinegar
• Sugar
• Pineapple juice

Let the sauce bubble and reduce, transforming into a thick, glossy coating that will make your taste buds dance.

This process takes around 30 minutes.

Step 4: Prepare Crispy Pork Coating

• Flour
• Cornstarch
• Salt
• Pepper

Dip each marinated pork cube into beaten egg, then roll generously in the seasoned flour mixture.

Step 5: Double-Fry for Maximum Crunch

Heat oil in a skillet to 350°F.

Carefully fry the coated pork in batches until they turn a light golden color.

Remove and let them drain.

Repeat the frying process a second time to achieve an extra crispy exterior.

Step 6: Sauté Colorful Vegetables

• Onions
• Bell peppers
• Pineapple chunks

Cook for just a minute to keep the vegetables vibrant and crisp.

Step 7: Bring Everything Together

Combine the crispy pork, sizzling vegetables, and tangy sauce in the skillet.

Toss everything until each piece is beautifully coated and glistening.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Plate your sweet and sour pork immediately alongside steaming white rice.

Prepare for a flavor explosion that will have everyone asking for seconds!

Helpful Tips for Sticky, Tangy Sweet and Sour Pork

• Let pork soak in the marinade for the full 30 minutes to ensure deep, rich flavor absorption and tenderize the meat.
• Perform two frying sessions to create an incredibly crispy exterior that stays crunchy even after coating with sauce.
• Simmer sauce slowly and stir frequently to prevent burning and achieve the perfect thick, glossy texture that clings beautifully to pork.
• Quick stir-fry vegetables to maintain their vibrant color and slight crispness, preventing them from becoming mushy.
• Keep oil at consistent 350F when frying to guarantee golden, crisp pork pieces without absorbing excess oil.

Crispy Sweet And Sour Pork Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Crispy sweet and sour pork brings classic Chinese flavors dancing across your plate with irresistible crunch and tangy sauce. Succulent pork pieces coated in golden batter promise a delightful meal that will satisfy your craving for bold, balanced cuisine.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 lbs Pork Tenderloin (cut into 1-inch cubes)

Batter and Coating Ingredients:

• 2 Eggs
• 4 tablespoons Water
• 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 1/2 cup + 4 teaspoons Cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
• 2 teaspoons Soy Sauce

Sauce and Stir-Fry Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons Vegetable Oil (for sauce)
• 2-inch piece Ginger (chopped, for sauce)
• 1/2 cup Ketchup (for sauce)
• 3 cups White Vinegar (for sauce)
• 1 cup White Sugar (for sauce)
• 16 ounces Canned Pineapple Chunks (with juice, for sauce)
• 1 Bell Pepper (diced, for stir-fry)
• 1 White Onion (sliced, for stir-fry)
• 2 cups Vegetable Oil (for frying)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Immerse pork cubes in a blend of water, garlic powder, onion powder, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Allow flavors to penetrate for half an hour at room temperature.
2. Create sauce base by gently heating vegetable oil in a saucepan. Sauté minced ginger until fragrant, approximately 60 seconds.
3. Incorporate ketchup, vinegar, sugar, and pineapple juice into the ginger mixture. Reduce heat and let simmer, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens and reduces by one-third, around 25-30 minutes.
4. Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F. Prepare two separate coating stations: one with seasoned flour and cornstarch mixture, another with whisked eggs.
5. Thoroughly coat each marinated pork piece first in dry ingredients, then dip in egg wash, and re-coat with flour mixture for extra crunch.
6. Carefully lower coated pork into hot oil, frying in small batches for 2-3 minutes until golden. Remove and let drain on wire rack, then return for a second fry to achieve maximum crispiness.
7. In a separate pan, quickly stir-fry onions and bell peppers over high heat for 60 seconds. Add pineapple chunks and toss briefly.
8. Combine crispy pork with prepared sauce and sautéed vegetables, ensuring each piece is evenly glazed and heated through.
9. Transfer immediately to serving plates, accompanied by steamed rice for a complete meal.

Notes

• Marinate for Maximum Flavor Let the pork soak in the marinade for at least 30 minutes to ensure deep, rich taste and tenderness throughout the meat.
• Double Frying Technique Fry the pork twice to achieve an incredibly crispy exterior that stays crunchy even after adding the sauce, creating a perfect texture contrast.
• Sauce Consistency Control Simmer the sauce slowly and stir frequently to prevent burning, allowing it to thicken naturally and develop a rich, glossy finish that clings perfectly to the pork.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation Swap wheat flour for rice flour or cornstarch to make the dish completely gluten-free without compromising the crispy coating’s texture.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 560 kcal
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg