Name: Sweet and Sour Pork
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 70 min
Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients: 2 lbs Pork Tenderloin (cut into 1-inch cubes).; 2 Eggs.; 4 tbsp Water.; 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder.; 1/2 tsp Onion Powder.; 1 tsp Sesame Oil.; 2 tsp Soy Sauce.; 1 cup All-Purpose Flour.; 1/2 cup + 4 tsp Cornstarch.; 1 tsp Salt.; 1/2 tsp Black Pepper.; 2 cups Vegetable Oil (for frying).; 2 tsp Vegetable Oil (for sauce).; 2-inch piece Ginger (chopped, for sauce).; 1/2 cup Ketchup (for sauce).; 3 cups White Vinegar (for sauce).; 1 cup White Sugar (for sauce).; 16 oz Canned Pineapple Chunks (with juice, for sauce).; 1 Bell Pepper (diced, for stir-fry).; 1 White Onion (sliced, for stir-fry).

Crispy Sweet and Sour Pork is the perfect blend of savory and tangy, bringing a nostalgic favorite to your dinner table. This dish features tender cubes of pork double-fried for extra crispiness, tossed in a vibrant sauce made with pineapple, bell peppers, and onions. The combination of crispy texture and sweet-sour flavor is sure to delight the whole family. Serve over steamed rice for a complete meal that’s as satisfying as it is flavorful.

Crispy Sweet and Sour Pork brings a delightful balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors to your dinner table. Featuring golden-crispy pork coated in a vibrant sauce with pineapple, bell peppers, and onions, this dish is perfect for family meals or special occasions. The double-frying technique ensures each bite remains perfectly crisp, even after being tossed in the luscious sauce.

INGREDIENTS

Pork Tenderloin: 2 lbs, cut into 1-inch cubes for the main protein
Eggs: 2, for the egg wash
Water: 4 tbsp, to thin the egg wash
Garlic Powder: 1/2 tsp, for marinating
Onion Powder: 1/2 tsp, for flavor
Sesame Oil: 1 tsp, for marinating
Soy Sauce: 2 tsp, for marinating
All-Purpose Flour: 1 cup, for coating the pork
Cornstarch: 1/2 cup + 4 tsp, for crispiness
Salt: 1 tsp, for seasoning
Black Pepper: 1/2 tsp, for seasoning
Vegetable Oil: 2 cups, for frying
Ginger: 2-inch piece, chopped for the sauce
Ketchup: 1/2 cup, for the sauce
White Vinegar: 3 cups, for the tangy sauce base
White Sugar: 1 cup, for sweetness
Pineapple Chunks: 16 oz canned, with juice for the sauce
Bell Pepper: 1, diced for stir-fry
White Onion: 1, sliced for stir-fry

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:: Combine water, garlic powder, onion powder, sesame oil, and soy sauce in a bowl. Add the pork cubes and marinate for 30 minutes.
Step 2:: To prepare the sauce, heat 2 tsp vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the chopped ginger for 1 minute.
Step 3:: Stir in ketchup, vinegar, sugar, and pineapple juice. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
Step 4:: Heat 2 cups of oil in a skillet to 350°F. Coat the pork cubes in a mixture of flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Dip each piece in the egg wash, then coat again with the flour mixture.
Step 5:: Fry the pork in batches for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden. Drain on paper towels and repeat for a second fry to achieve crispiness.
Step 6:: In another skillet, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the onions and bell peppers for 1 minute, then add the pineapple and stir-fry briefly.
Step 7:: Toss the crispy pork with the prepared sauce and vegetables in the skillet. Stir well to coat everything evenly.
Step 8:: Serve the sweet and sour pork immediately with steamed rice. Enjoy!

Serving and Storage Tips

Serve fresh for the best texture and flavor.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet to restore crispiness.

Helpful Notes

For added flavor, garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions.
Adjust the sauce’s tanginess by reducing the vinegar or adding more sugar to taste.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

Chef Ming suggests using potato starch instead of cornstarch for a crispier coating.
Chef Ling recommends adding a splash of soy sauce to the sauce for extra depth.