Dinner Favorite: Grandma’s Sweet and Sour Pork
If you want a vibrant, flavorful meal that completely beats your favorite takeout restaurant, Grandma’s Sweet and Sour Pork is perfection. This classic recipe features tender cubes of pork tossed with crisp bell peppers, sweet onions, and juicy pineapple chunks.
The homemade sauce balances tangy vinegar with sweet brown sugar for an incredible flavor pop. Cooked quickly on the stovetop, this colorful dish brings the excitement of a restaurant favorite straight to your family dinner table!
Why You’ll Love This Sweet and Sour Pork
Better Than Takeout: Skip the delivery fees and artificial ingredients. This homemade version tastes fresher, crisper, and much more flavorful.
The Ultimate Flavor Balance: The combination of zesty rice vinegar, sweet pineapple juice, and savory soy sauce creates a mouthwatering glaze.
Crispy and Tender Texture: Searing the pork quickly over high heat keeps the inside incredibly juicy while creating a beautiful exterior crust.
If you love comforting pork dinners but want a fun, restaurant-style twist instead of traditional Grandma’s Stuffed Pork Chops.
Tips for the Perfect Sweet and Sour Pork
Cut Your Ingredients Evenly: Slice your pork meat, bell peppers, and fresh onions into uniform, bite-sized pieces. Cutting everything to the same size ensures that all of your ingredients cook at the exact same rate in the hot skillet. This simple step keeps your veggies perfectly crisp-tender.
Use the Pineapple Juice: Do not throw away the liquid inside your canned pineapple chunks! That sweet juice is the secret base for Grandma’s homemade sweet and sour sauce. Whisk it together with your cornstarch, vinegar, and ketchup to create a silky glaze that coats the meat beautifully.
Thicken the Sauce Correctly: Make sure to let your sauce reach a full boil in the pan for one minute. The high heat activates the cornstarch slurry, transforming the thin liquid into a rich, glossy glaze that clings tightly to every cube of tender pork.
Dinner Favorite: Grandma’s Sweet and Sour Pork
Equipment
- 1 drainer
- 1 liquid measuring cup
- 1 small bowl
- 1 large spoon
- cooking spray
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork tenderloin, cut into ½-inch pieces.
- ⅓ cup cider vinegar
- 1 can (20 oz.) unsweetened pineapple chunks
- ⅓ cup water
- 3 Tbsps brown sugar
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 cups hot cooked brown rice
- 1 Tbsp canola oil
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 ⅓ medium green pepper, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Drain the pineapple, but reserve ⅔cup of the juice, and set the pineapple aside.
- In a small bowl, mix the water, vinegar, brown sugar, cornstarch, Worcestershire sauce, salt, soy sauce, and the reserved pineapple juice until smooth. Set aside.
- Sprinkle the pork with paprika. In a large skillet coated with cooking spray. Brown the pork in the oil.
- Stir the cornstarch mixture, and add it to the pan. Bring to a boil, cook and stir for about 1 minute or until thickened.
- Add onion, green pepper, and pineapple. Reduce the heat and simmer covered for about 6 to 8 minutes or until the pork is tender. Serve with rice.
Nutrition
We Want to Hear From You!
Are you ready to skip the delivery menus and whip up a vibrant, skillet-fresh meal tonight? Grab some fresh peppers and let’s make Grandma’s favorite takeout dish!
Did this homemade sweet and sour pork bring a burst of delicious flavor to your dinner table? Please leave a comment down below and give this recipe a star rating! Hearing from you always makes my day. Be sure to hit that share button and pin this recipe to your favorite Pinterest dinner boards!
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