Chinese-Style Sweet and Sour Pork with Pineapple
Tender pork bites coated in a light batter, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a tangy sweet and sour sauce with pineapple chunks and bell peppers. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 40 minutes pairs pork loin, cut into 1-inch cubes, cornstarch, large egg, beaten for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork loin, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 large egg, beaten
- for frying, about 2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup pineapple chunks, drained
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, toss 1 lb pork loin cubes with 1/2 cup cornstarch to coat evenly. Dip each piece into 1 beaten large egg, then dredge again lightly in cornstarch.
- Step 2: Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat to 350°F. Fry pork pieces in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
- Step 3: In a separate pan, heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup ketchup, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1/4 cup water. Cook for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens and is glossy.
- Step 5: Add 1 cup pineapple chunks, 1/2 cup sliced red bell pepper, and 1/2 cup sliced green bell pepper to the sauce. Cook for 2 minutes until vegetables are slightly tender.
- Step 6: Add fried pork pieces to the sauce and toss gently to coat completely. Cook for 1 minute to heat through.
- Step 7: Garnish with 2 tbsp sliced green onions and serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chinese-Style Sweet and Sour Pork with Pineapple take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Chinese-Style Sweet and Sour Pork with Pineapple?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cornstarch from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chinese-Style Sweet and Sour Pork with Pineapple?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chinese-Style Sweet and Sour Pork with Pineapple for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Chinese-Style Sweet and Sour Pork with Pineapple?
Chinese pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
