Sweet and sour pork

Sweet and sour pork is crisp-fried pork pieces coated in a glossy tangy-sweet sauce with pineapple and peppers. It is a colorful favorite of Cantonese-style cooking.

Sweet and sour pork

Sweet and sour pork: ProjectManhattan, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Where it comes from

The dish grew from Cantonese cooking and became popular around the world in many local versions. The sauce balances vinegar and sugar.

Explore the cuisine of China.

Recipe

Make Sweet and sour pork at home

Serves 4Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb pork tenderloin, cubed
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • Oil for frying
  • 1 red bell pepper, chunked
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 1/3 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

How it's made

  1. Toss the pork with egg and cornstarch until coated.
  2. Fry in 350 F (175 C) oil until golden, then drain; fry a second time for 1 minute for extra crunch.
  3. Stir ketchup, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce and 1/4 cup water in a pan and simmer until slightly thick.
  4. Add the peppers and pineapple and cook 2 minutes.
  5. Add the fried pork and toss quickly to coat.
  6. Serve at once so the coating stays crisp.

Variations

  • Sweet and sour chicken or shrimp
  • Vegetable version with tofu
  • Northern gu lao rou with a tangy vinegar glaze

Cook’s tip: Toss with the sauce at the last moment; waiting turns the crust soggy.

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About this page

Description and method written by Intercontinental Chef. Home-style method; quantities are a starting point, so adjust to taste.

Photo credit
  • Sweet and sour pork: ProjectManhattan, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)