Sweet And Sour
A vibrant sweet and sour dish featuring pineapple, green pepper, and carrots in a tangy sauce, perfect for a quick, flavorful meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a 1-cup measuring cup, add enough water to the reserved pineapple juice to make one full cup.
- In a medium saucepan, heat the pineapple juice mixture with water, brown sugar, vinegar, carrots, soy sauce, and salt.
- Stir the mixture, add chopped garlic, and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 6 minutes.
- Mix water and cornstarch, then stir into the sauce to thicken.
- Add pineapple chunks, green pepper, and your choice of meat if desired.
- Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Tips & Substitutions
For a thicker sauce, ensure you mix the cornstarch with cold water before adding it to the pan. You can substitute the brown sugar with honey or agave syrup for a different sweetness. If you want to add a kick, consider including some red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha. This recipe can easily be adapted to fit vegan recipes by omitting any meat.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this sweet and sour dish over steamed rice or alongside Brazillian Fried Rice for a satisfying meal. It also pairs beautifully with Matt's Teriyaki Chicken for a more protein-rich option. Garnish with sesame seeds or sliced green onions for added flavor and presentation.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, warm it in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also microwave it in short bursts, stirring in between, to ensure even heating without overcooking the vegetables.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sweet And Sour contains roughly 385 calories, with 5g protein, 87g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (114% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (27% of the Daily Value), and potassium (24% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2314mg per serving (101% 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 pineapple instead of canned?
Yes, fresh pineapple can be used for a more vibrant flavor. Just make sure to cut it into chunks similar in size to the canned version. You may need to adjust the sweetness based on the ripeness of the fresh pineapple.
What kind of meat can I add to this recipe?
You can add chicken, shrimp, or pork to this sweet and sour dish. Cook the meat separately until just done, then add it during the final stages of the recipe to ensure it heats through without overcooking.
Is this dish gluten-free?
To make this dish gluten-free, use tamari instead of regular soy sauce. Always check the labels of your ingredients to ensure they are certified gluten-free, especially for sauces and condiments.
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).