Sweet and Sour Pork + VIDEO

Homemade Sweet and Sour Pork, a delicious, alternative to the overly sweet version found on the take-out menu.

Making take-out classics at home has never been easier! Whether its Dan Dan noodles, chicken with snow peas or egg foo yung, you won’t believe how easy it is to recreate the tastiest version of these recipes at home.

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe

This is a meal the whole family will love, at least mine did.  It’s flavorful, the meat remains tender and the veggies crunchy.

The best part remains that it takes very little effort to get this on the table.  Serve it plain or over rice to soak up the amazing sauce.

I am not a fan of that thick, red sweet and sour pork you find in Chinese food buffet lines with deep fried meat.  This is an alternative you will love.

Ingredients for Sweet and Sour Pork

Pantry Ingredients

• balsamic vinegar – intensely flavored to add rich flavor
• soy sauce – make sure it’s low sodium
• cornstarch – for thickening the sauce
• ketchup – feel free to use a low sugar option
• granulated sugar
• peanut or vegetable oil – or any other high temperature oil
• kosher salt

Fresh Ingredients

• pork tenderloin – this is not the same cut as pork loin
• garlic – regular sized cloves
• carrots – sliced into coins
• scallions – green parts only
• snow peas

How To Make Sweet and Sour Pork

Step one: In a medium-sized bowl, toss pork with 1/2 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar and a pinch of salt.

Step two: In a another small bowl, combine remaining 2 Tablespoons vinegar, soy sauce, cornstarch, ketchup, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1/3 cup water and half teaspoon kosher salt.

Step three: Heat 2 Tablespoons oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the pork and slowly stir until it turns mostly opaque, about 2 minutes. Remove pork with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate. Discard oil and wipe out the skillet.

Step four: Heat the remaining 1 Tablespoon oil in the skillet, then stir fry the garlic with a pinch each of salt and sugar (only 15 seconds or it will burn). Add carrots and scallions and “stir-fry” until crisp tender, 2 minutes. (If mixture seems dry add a little bit of water, just a little.) Add pork, snow peas and soy sauce mixture; stir until the pork is cooked through and the sauce is thickened, about 3 minutes.

Recipe Tips

• Take the time to prepare the pork, removing excess fate and silverskin.
• Make sure pork is cut in consistently sized pieces so it cooks evenly.
• Feel free to use a wok if you prefer.

Reheating and Storage Tips

This sweet and sour pork can easily be reheated one of two ways.

Place individual sized portions into a microwave safe bowl and reheat until warm. It’s best to heat partially, stir and heat again until finished.

You can also reheat on the stove over medium heat. Place any leftovers into a skillet and cook until warmed through.

Quick, easy and fabulous.

Your family is going to love this version of sweet and pork. It is neither sickeningly sweet or deep fried.

Serve it over rice or chow mein noodles or both!

Other Take-Out Classics To Try:

• Asian Vegetable Stir Fry
• Plum Spiced Chicken
• Chicken Chow Mein
• Shrimp Stir Fry

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Print Recipe

5 from 7 votes

Sweet and Sour Pork

Homemade Sweet and Sour Pork, a delicious, alternative to the overly sweet version found on the take-out menu.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time7 minutes mins

Total Time17 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Keyword: Sweet and Sour Pork

Servings: 3 people

Calories: 538kcal

Author: Cathy

Ingredients

• 1 lb. pork tenderloin, trimmed of excess fat and silverskin removed, cut into 1/2" pieces
• 2-1/2 tbsps balsamic vinegar
• kosher salt
• 2 tsps low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 3 tbsps ketchup
• 3 tbsps granulated sugar
• 3 tbsps peanut or vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, thinly sliced
• 3 scallions, cut into 1/2" pieces
• 3 cups snow peas, cut in half

Instructions

• In a medium-sized bowl, toss pork with 1/2 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar and a pinch of salt.
• In a another small bowl, combine remaining 2 Tablespoons vinegar, soy sauce, cornstarch, ketchup, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1/3 cup water and half teaspoon kosher salt.
• Heat 2 Tablespoons oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the pork and slowly stir until it turns mostly opaque, about 2 minutes. Remove pork with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate. Discard oil and wipe out the skillet.
• Heat the remaining 1 Tablespoon oil in the skillet, then stir fry the garlic with a pinch each of salt and sugar (only 15 seconds or it will burn). Add carrots and scallions and "stir-fry" until crisp tender, 2 minutes. (If mixture seems dry add a little bit of water, just a little.) Add pork, snow peas and soy sauce mixture; stir until the pork is cooked through and the sauce is thickened, about 3 minutes.

Notes

Feel free to use a wok to make this recipe if you have one.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Sweet and Sour Pork

Amount Per Serving

Calories 538 Calories from Fat 173

% Daily Value*

Fat 19.2g30%

Saturated Fat 4.1g26%

Polyunsaturated Fat 5g

Monounsaturated Fat 8.2g

Cholesterol 110mg37%

Sodium 410mg18%

Potassium 768mg22%

Carbohydrates 40.5g14%

Fiber 6g25%

Sugar 32g36%

Protein 45g90%

Vitamin A 114IU2%

Vitamin C 144mg175%

Calcium 16mg2%

Iron 29mg161%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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