Pork Hawaiian
A flavorful Hawaiian-inspired pork dish with ham, pineapple, and sweet-savory sauce, perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests with a tropical twist.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked ham, cubed ⓘ
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder ⓘ
- 1/4 cup soy sauce ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons catsup ⓘ
- 1 onion, cut in chunks ⓘ
- 1 green pepper, cubed ⓘ
- 1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chunks with juice ⓘ
- 1/3 cup cider vinegar ⓘ
- water (to make 1 cup of liquid) ⓘ
Instructions
- Place ham cubes in a 2 1/2-quart microwave-safe casserole.
- Combine brown sugar, cornstarch, ground ginger, and garlic powder in a 2-cup liquid measure.
- Stir in soy sauce and catsup, then pour over ham and stir to coat all ham pieces.
- Cook on High for 3 minutes.
- Add onion chunks and cubed green pepper.
- Cook on High for 4 minutes.
- Drain pineapple chunks, reserving the juice.
- Add water to the pineapple juice to make 1 cup of liquid.
- Add cider vinegar and soy sauce to the pineapple juice mixture.
- Stir in cornstarch until smooth.
- Pour the sauce over the cooked ham.
- Cook on High for 6 to 7 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Add drained water chestnuts, mushrooms, and pineapple chunks.
- Continue to cook on High for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve hot over rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider marinating the ham in the sauce ingredients before cooking. If you don't have brown sugar, you can use honey or maple syrup as a substitute. For a healthier option, use low-sodium soy sauce and fresh vegetables like snap peas or carrots instead of green pepper. This dish can also be enhanced with a sprinkle of sesame seeds before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this flavorful Pork Hawaiian over steamed rice or alongside fluffy white rice to absorb the sauce. It pairs beautifully with a side of Japanese Somen Salad for a refreshing contrast. You can also serve it with a light cucumber salad or a bowl of fresh fruit to balance the savory flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Pork Hawaiian can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, simply microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If the sauce thickens too much in the fridge, adding a splash of water or broth while reheating can help restore its consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Pork Hawaiian contains roughly 162 calories, with 3g protein, 34g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is a good source of iron (17% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1104mg per serving (48% 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 fresh ham instead of cooked ham?
Yes, you can use fresh ham; however, you will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Fresh ham should be cooked thoroughly before adding the sauce mixture. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 145°F for safety.
What can I use if I don’t have soy sauce?
If you don’t have soy sauce, you can substitute it with tamari for a gluten-free option or coconut aminos for a lower-sodium alternative. Both will provide a similar umami flavor to the dish.
Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to incorporate vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or carrots. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure all the vegetables are tender yet crisp.
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).