Sweet-Sour Pork(Lots Of Work - But Worth It!)
Sweet and tangy pork stir-fried with colorful vegetables and pineapple, offering a perfect balance of flavors—ideal for a satisfying family dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 12 oz. lean boneless pork ⓘ
- 1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. margarine ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 cup low-fat chicken broth ⓘ
- 1/3 cup sugar ⓘ
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar ⓘ
- 4 Tbsp. cornstarch ⓘ
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 1 Tbsp. low-salt soy sauce ⓘ
- 3 medium carrots, sliced ⓘ
- 1 medium green pepper ⓘ
- 3 green onions, sliced ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can pineapple chunks, drained ⓘ
- nonstick spray coating ⓘ
- 1 medium red sweet pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook rice without salt or margarine and keep it warm while preparing meat and vegetables.
- Trim fat from pork, cut into 3/4 inch cubes and set aside.
- Place bread crumbs in a shallow dish.
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together melted margarine with half of the minced garlic.
- Add pork to the bowl and toss to coat.
- Roll coated pork in bread crumbs to coat evenly.
- Arrange pork in an ungreased pan (15 x 10 x 1-inch) and bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 375°F until tender and no longer pink.
- Cover and keep pork warm while preparing sauce and vegetables.
- Mix chicken broth, sugar, wine vinegar, cornstarch, and soy sauce; set aside.
- Spray large skillet or wok with nonstick spray and preheat over medium heat.
- Add remaining garlic and stir-fry for 15 seconds.
- Add sliced carrots; cover and cook for 3 minutes.
- Add red and green peppers cut into 1-inch squares and sliced green onions; stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Remove cooked vegetables from skillet or wok.
- Stir sauce mixture and add to wok; cook and stir until thickened and bubbly, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in cooked vegetables and pineapple chunks.
- Cook and stir for about 1 minute until vegetables are heated through.
Tips & Substitutions
For a quicker prep, consider using pre-cut vegetables or frozen stir-fry mixes. You can substitute chicken for the pork if desired, adjusting cooking times as necessary. If you're looking to cut calories, use whole wheat bread crumbs instead of fine dry ones. For a gluten-free option, choose gluten-free soy sauce and cornstarch.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Sweet-Sour Pork over a bed of rice, allowing the sauce to soak in for extra flavor. This dish pairs beautifully with steamed broccoli or a simple salad for freshness. For a hearty meal, consider serving alongside Walnut Vegetable Stir-Fry to elevate the variety of textures and flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out. You can also microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sweet-Sour Pork(Lots Of Work - But Worth It!) contains roughly 1201 calories, with 22g protein, 190g carbohydrates, and 40g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (289% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (91% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (61% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2639mg per serving (115% 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 make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the pork and the sauce in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator and combine them just before serving to maintain the texture of the pork and the freshness of the vegetables.
What can I substitute for the pineapple?
If you want to skip the pineapple, consider using diced mango or even a splash of orange juice for a sweet touch. These alternatives will still provide a fruity note without altering the overall flavor profile too much.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add some heat, consider incorporating sliced jalapeños or a dash of red pepper flakes while stir-frying the vegetables. You can also serve a spicy sauce on the side for those who enjoy a kick in their meals.
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).