Sweet sour pork is a popular dish loved by many. It has a great mix of sweet and sour flavors. This recipe is easy to make at home. You do not need special skills. Just follow simple steps and enjoy tasty food.
Why Sweet Sour Pork?
This dish is famous in Chinese food. It tastes good with rice or noodles. The sauce is shiny and thick. It covers the pork well. Each bite gives you a mix of sweet, sour, and a little salty taste. This makes it special.
What You Need
Before cooking, gather all ingredients. This helps to cook faster and better.
Ingredient
Amount
Notes
Pork shoulder or pork butt
500 grams (about 1 lb)
Cut into bite-sized pieces
Green bell pepper
1 medium
Cut into squares
Pineapple chunks
1 cup
Fresh or canned
Egg white
1
For coating pork
Cornstarch
1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon
For frying and sauce thickening
Soy sauce
2 tablespoons
For flavor and color
Apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons
Gives sour taste
Brown sugar
4 tablespoons
For sweetness and rich flavor
Ketchup
3 tablespoons
For color and tangy flavor
Garlic
2 cloves
Finely chopped
Ginger
1 teaspoon
Grated or finely chopped
Vegetable oil
For frying
Enough to deep fry pork
Water
1/2 cup
For sauce
Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
Step 1: Prepare The Pork
First, wash the pork pieces well. Pat them dry with paper towels. Put pork in a bowl. Add egg white and mix well. Then, add 1/2 cup cornstarch. Mix again so pork gets coated. This helps to make it crispy when fried.
Step 2: Fry The Pork
Heat vegetable oil in a pan. Use enough oil for deep frying. When oil is hot, add pork pieces carefully. Fry until they turn golden and crispy. This usually takes 5 to 7 minutes. Remove pork and put on paper towels to drain oil.
Step 3: Make The Sauce
In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add garlic and ginger. Stir for 1 minute until fragrant. Then, add pineapple juice (from canned pineapple or fresh). Add soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and water. Stir well to mix all ingredients.
Step 4: Thicken The Sauce
Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water. This is called a slurry. Slowly pour slurry into the sauce while stirring. Keep stirring until sauce becomes thick and shiny. Do not overcook. Turn off the heat when sauce is thick.
Step 5: Combine Pork And Sauce
Add fried pork pieces, green bell pepper, and pineapple chunks to the sauce. Mix gently. Make sure all pork pieces are coated with sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes so flavors mix well. Then, turn off the heat.
Tips for Best Results
Balance flavors: Adjust sugar and vinegar to your taste.
Use fresh ingredients: Garlic and ginger add great flavor.
Do not overcook pork: Keep it crispy inside.
Use pineapple juice: It gives fruity sweetness and tang.
Let sauce cool slightly: It thickens more when cooling.
Why This Recipe Works Well
This recipe uses pork shoulder or pork butt. These cuts have the right fat and tenderness. The pork stays juicy inside. The egg white and cornstarch coating make it crunchy outside. The sauce has three flavors: sweet, sour, and salty. It sticks well to pork. Garlic and ginger add depth. Pineapple and bell pepper give color and texture. This makes the dish look nice and taste great.
Serving Suggestions
Sweet sour pork goes well with steamed rice. It also works with fried rice or noodles. You can serve it with steamed vegetables. A simple soup on the side makes a full meal. Enjoy hot for the best taste.
Summary
Making sweet sour pork is fun and rewarding. It needs simple ingredients and steps. The key is in the sauce balance and pork texture. Follow this recipe to get tasty, crispy pork with shiny sauce. Share with family or friends for a happy meal.
Try this recipe soon. You will enjoy the taste and the cooking process. Sweet sour pork is a classic dish that never gets old. It brings smiles to the table every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Ingredients In Sweet And Sour Pork Sauce?
Sweet and sour pork sauce includes pineapple juice, vinegar, sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch slurry. These ingredients balance sweet, sour, and savory flavors while creating a glossy texture. Brown sugar often replaces white sugar for deeper sweetness.
What Cut Of Pork Is Used For Sweet And Sour Pork?
Sweet and sour pork typically uses pork shoulder or pork butt for tenderness and ideal fat content. Pork belly and spare ribs are also popular for richer flavor. These cuts ensure juicy, flavorful bites that balance well with the sweet and sour sauce.
What Is The Secret To A Good Sweet And Sour?
The secret to good sweet and sour sauce is balancing sweet, sour, and umami flavors. Use pineapple juice, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Thicken with cornstarch slurry for a glossy texture. Simmer briefly and cool slightly for perfect coating and rich flavor.
Is Sweet And Sour Pork A Real Chinese Dish?
Sweet and sour pork is a popular Chinese dish with roots in Cantonese cuisine. It features pork, vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce. This dish balances sweet, sour, and savory flavors, making it authentic and widely enjoyed in China and globally.
