Karo Sweet And Sour Pork
Sweet and tangy pork stir-fried with pineapple, green peppers, and onions, coated in a luscious syrup-based sauce — perfect for a flavorful, family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. boneless pork, cut in thin strips ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. Argo or Kingsford cornstarch ⓘ
- 1/2 c. Karo light or dark syrup ⓘ
- 1/4 c. cider vinegar ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. soy sauce ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. ketchup ⓘ
- 2 (8 oz.) cans pineapple chunks in own juice ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. Mazola corn oil ⓘ
- 1 green pepper, cut in 1-inch squares ⓘ
- 1 onion, cut in thin wedges ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
Instructions
- Drain pineapple; remove juice.
- In a large skillet, heat corn oil over medium-high heat.
- Add cornstarch, Karo syrup, cider vinegar, soy sauce, and ketchup to the skillet.
- Stir-fry for 2 minutes or until tender-crisp. Remove from skillet.
- Stir-fry pork, half at a time, for 3 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Return pork to the skillet.
- In a bowl, stir together pineapple juice and remaining ingredients.
- Stir the mixture into the skillet with the pork.
- Add green pepper squares and pineapple chunks.
- Stir constantly, bring to a boil over medium heat, and boil for 1 minute.
- Serve hot over rice, if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a crispy texture, consider dusting the pork strips with an extra layer of cornstarch before frying. You can substitute the pork with chicken or tofu for a different protein option. If you prefer a spicier kick, add some crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce. This dish pairs wonderfully with Oriental Fried Rice for a complete meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this sweet and sour pork over a bed of fluffy rice for a satisfying meal. It also goes well with side dishes like Chow Mein Chop Suey or Pot Stickers. For a refreshing touch, garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, adding a splash of water if the sauce thickens. Alternatively, you can microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Karo Sweet And Sour Pork contains roughly 390 calories, with 8g protein, 64g carbohydrates, and 12g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (57% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 596mg per serving (26% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen pineapple for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen pineapple chunks. Just make sure to thaw and drain them before adding them to the dish to avoid excess liquid. This will help maintain the desired consistency of the sauce.
What can I do if the sauce is too thick?
If the sauce becomes too thick, simply add a little water or additional pineapple juice to reach your desired consistency. Stir it in gradually while cooking over low heat until you achieve the right texture.
Is it possible to make this dish in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the sweet and sour sauce and cook the pork ahead of time. Just store them separately in the refrigerator and combine them when you're ready to serve. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).