This sweet and sour pork recipe is a perfect 30 minute recipe. Made with pineapple and lots of fresh veggies, serve it over rice or noodles for a delicious family meal.

skillet filled with sweet and sour pork

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Skip the takeout and whip up this delicious sweet and sour pork recipe instead!

Full of bright, fresh and tangy flavors, it comes together so quickly and easily for a dinner the whole family will love.

For more Chinese recipes, be sure to check out my Sweet and Sour Chicken, Beef Lo Mein, and Super Easy Teriyaki Chicken.

Why you will love this sweet and sour pork!

  • Quick: It takes 15 minutes to prep this recipe and 15 minutes to cook it. Perfect for when you are short on time!
  • One pot: This dinner is all made in one skillet, perfect if you don’t feel like spending time cleaning up!
  • Healthier: This Chinese pork is loaded with fresh veggies and protein. It contains a lot less salt and sugar compared to your usual takeout, but is just as delicious!

How to make sweet and sour pork

Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!

  • Toss the pork cubes in the egg mixture.
  • Mix together the ingredients for the sauce.
  • Brown the pork on all sides in the skillet, remove and set to one side.
  • Cook the garlic, ginger and veggies until softened.
  • Add the pineapple chunks and sauce and cook.
  • Return the pork to the sauce and cook for a couple of minutes and serve.
step by step photos for how to make sweet and sour pork
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skillet filled with sweet and sour pork

What do you serve with it?

I like to serve this sweet and sour pork on a bed of long grain white rice, like Basmati or Jasmine. You can also serve it on top of noodles if you prefer.

Garnish the pork with some sesame seeds and sliced green onion. I like to add some steamed broccoli on the side too.

Can you make it ahead of time?

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days, however, I find this dish tastes best freshly made as the vegetables tend to get soggy when it’s reheated. You can reheat it on the stovetop until it is heated through.

side image of skillet with sweet and sour pork with sauce
up close image of sweet and sour pork in sauce

Can you freeze it?

Yes! This recipe makes for a great freezer meal. Let it cool, and then transfer it to a freezer bag or safe container. It will keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw the pork in the fridge overnight before reheating on the stovetop.

sweet & sour pork on plate over rice
lifting up piece of sweet and sour pork

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • If your can of pineapple doesn’t have enough juice to make the ¾ cup required for the sauce you can add additional chicken stock to make up the difference.
  • Cut the pork into similar sized pieces so that it cooks evenly.
  • Make this sweet and sour pork gluten-free by using tamari in place of soy sauce.
sweet & sour pork on plate over rice

More Easy Pork Recipes

Recipe Card

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe

4.40 from 33 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Author: Becky Hardin
skillet filled with sweet and sour pork
This sweet and sour pork recipe is a perfect 30 minute recipe. Made with pineapple and lots of fresh veggies, serve it over rice or noodles for a delicious family meal.
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Ingredients 

  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 pound lean pork cubed
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger grated
  • 1 red bell pepper cut into 1 inch chunks
  • 1 green bell pepper cut into 1 inch chunks
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 19 ounces pineapple chunks drained, reserve juice for the sauce

For the Sauce:

  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¾ cup pineapple juice
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • Green onions for garnish
  • Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions 

  • In a medium bowl, mix together the egg, 1 tablespoon sugar, salt and 1 tablespoon soy sauce.
  • Add the pork cubes and gently toss to coat. Set aside.
  • In another medium bowl, mix together the white wine vinegar, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, cornstarch, pineapple juice, and chicken stock, to make the sauce. Set aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium high heat, heat the 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the pork mixture and cook, stirring frequently, until the pork has browned on all sides and is cooked through, about 7 minutes.
  • Transfer the pork cubes to a plate and set aside.
  • Add the garlic, ginger, red and green pepper and onion to the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes, until vegetables are tender but still a bit crisp.
  • Add the pineapple chunks and the sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce is no longer cloudy and has thickened a little.
  • Return the pork to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes more.
  • Serve immediately over a bed of white long grain rice garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

Becky’s Tips

  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days, however, I find this dish tastes best freshly made as the vegetables tend to get soggy when it’s reheated.
  • Cut the pork into similar sized pieces so that it cooks evenly.
  • Make it gluten-free by using tamari in place of soy sauce.
  • If your can of pineapple doesn’t have enough juice to make the ¾ cup required for the sauce you can add additional chicken stock to make up the difference.
  • I like to serve this sweet and sour pork with long grain rice and steamed broccoli or green beans for a healthy and satisfying meal. You could also serve it over chow mein noodles instead of the rice.
Calories: 478kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 29gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 116mgSodium: 1173mgPotassium: 919mgFiber: 4gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 1168IUVitamin C: 81mgCalcium: 59mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.40 from 33 votes (29 ratings without comment)
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16 Comments
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June Frost
June Frost
January 15, 2022 2:10 pm

Made sweet and sour pork recipe delicious and easy to follow.5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
January 20, 2022 4:43 pm
Reply to  June Frost

Thanks for sharing, June!

Judy
Judy
January 14, 2022 6:42 pm

I usually add broccoli florets or asparagus and julienned carrots and cut back on the peppers.5 stars

99211137-05BE-47BE-B71B-AC535CE0863F.jpeg
Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
January 20, 2022 4:50 pm
Reply to  Judy

That looks delicious, Judy!!

Renee Schouten
Renee Schouten
September 7, 2021 2:20 pm

Is there a substitute for the white wine vinegar?

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
September 8, 2021 3:40 pm
Reply to  Renee Schouten

Rice vinegar!

Renee Schouten
Renee Schouten
September 8, 2021 5:43 pm
Reply to  Becky Hardin

so can i use red wine vinegar?

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
September 15, 2021 1:24 pm
Reply to  Renee Schouten

You can give it a shot!

Judith Lawler
Judith Lawler
March 12, 2021 3:17 pm

I used rice vinegar, and vegetable oil. Frankly this was as good, or better than the restaurant. Highly recommended, and easy.5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
March 17, 2021 1:50 pm
Reply to  Judith Lawler

Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Judith!

Constanze P Asaad
Constanze P Asaad
January 13, 2021 2:36 pm

I replaced the olive oil with sesame seed oil toasted and untoasted. Olive oil spoils the flavor and is not right for this dish.3 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
January 14, 2021 2:30 pm

Sorry to hear it wasn’t up to your taste!

Helen Betts
Helen Betts
August 27, 2020 4:41 pm

Thanks, Becky! I was thinking maybe country style ribs since they’re very lean, but pork chops would be fine, too!

Helen Betts
Helen Betts
August 26, 2020 4:12 pm

It sure would be nice to get an answer to my question of a week and a half ago (I think it was) as to what cut of pork to use. Anyway, it did sound good, but guess I won’t be making it now.

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
August 27, 2020 3:19 pm
Reply to  Helen Betts

So sorry, Helen! Thinly cut pork chops will probably work best!

Helen Betts
Helen Betts
August 17, 2020 6:06 pm

Well, it sounds and looks good, but what cut of pork do you use for it? I can’t guess from “lean pork”!