Crispy Sweet and Sour Pork Bites

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork morsels fried to a golden crisp and tossed in a tangy sweet and sour sauce with bell peppers and pineapple chunks. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 35 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, cornstarch, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 1 pound 1-inch pork shoulder cubes with 1/2 cup cornstarch until evenly coated. Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry pork cubes in batches for 4-5 minutes per batch until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
  2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup ketchup, 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water until smooth.
  3. Step 3: Remove excess oil from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add 1 chopped red bell pepper and 1 chopped green bell pepper, sauté for 3 minutes until crisp-tender.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 cup pineapple chunks and the cooked pork to the skillet. Pour the sauce over everything and bring to a simmer.
  5. Step 5: Stir together 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to make a slurry. Add the slurry to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the pork and vegetables, about 1-2 minutes. Serve hot with steamed rice.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Crispy Sweet and Sour Pork Bites take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 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 Crispy Sweet and Sour Pork Bites?

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 Crispy Sweet and Sour Pork Bites?

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 Crispy Sweet and Sour Pork Bites 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 Crispy Sweet and Sour Pork Bites?

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.

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