Sweet and Sour Pork: A Timeless Delight
Few dishes can evoke the same sense of comfort and nostalgia as sweet and sour pork. This beloved classic balances the tangy and sweet with a satisfying crunch, making it a favorite in many households. Today, we’ll take you through a step-by-step guide to crafting this delightful dish at home.
Ingredients
For the Pork:
- 1 lb pork shoulder or butt, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup cornstarch
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Marinade:
- 1/4 cup onion
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp ginger
- 2 tbsp garlic
- 1 tsp pepper
For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- 4 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
For the Slurry:
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp water
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 cup pineapple, chunks
- 1 cup bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 white onion, chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Marinade:
Begin by blending all marinade ingredients (onion, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and pepper) until smooth. Pour this over the pork pieces and mix until thoroughly coated. Allow the pork to marinate for at least 30 minutes, but for the best results, let it sit for up to 24 hours. The longer it marinates, the more tender and flavorful the pork will be.
2. Batter and Fry the Pork:
After marinating, coat the pork pieces in cornstarch, ensuring each piece is well covered. If the mixture is too dry, add a little water to achieve a tight batter. Heat a pot of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry the pork in batches for 6-8 minutes until golden brown. Place the fried pork on a cooling rack for a few minutes before frying again at 375°F (190°C) for 2-3 minutes to achieve an extra crispy crust.
3. Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
In a pan over medium heat, combine ketchup, soy sauce, white vinegar, sugar, and water. Whisk the mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes until it starts to boil. Create a slurry by mixing cornstarch and water, then add it to the sauce, continuing to whisk until it thickens.
4. Combine and Serve:
Add the chopped bell pepper, onion, and pineapple chunks to the sauce. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes before adding the crispy pork. Toss everything together until the pork is evenly coated in the sauce.
5. Enjoy!
Serve your sweet and sour pork with a bowl of steamed rice and savor each flavorful bite.
Tips and Substitutions
- Protein Alternatives: This recipe works wonderfully with chicken or shrimp as substitutes for pork.
- Vegetables: Feel free to add more vegetables like carrots or snap peas for extra color and nutrition.
Making sweet and sour pork at home may seem daunting at first, but with these straightforward steps, you’ll master this classic dish in no time. The result is a delightful meal that brings the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory to your dining table. Happy cooking!
Sweet and Sour Pork
Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1 bell pepper chopped
- 1/2 white onion chopped
- 1 cup cornstarch
- Vegetable oil for frying
Marinade
- 1 lb pork shoulder or butt cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup onion
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp ginger
- 2 tbsp garlic
- 1 tsp pepper
Sweet & Sour Sauce
- 4 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
Slurry
- 1 tbsp corn starch
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
Marinade
- Add all ingredients (except the pork) into a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour over the pork and mix until full incorporated.
- Set to marinate for 30 minutes to 24 hours. The long it sits the more tender it becomes.
- Once marinated, add the pieces to some cornstarch and mix until a tight batter forms. Add a little water if needed to loosen things up.
- Heat a pot of oil to 350F and fry in batches for 6-8 minutes. Fry until golden brown. Let sit on a cooling rack for a 1-2 minutes after frying.
- Then fry a second time at 375F for 2-3 minutes to get that extra crispy crust.
- Once cooked set aside.
Sweet & Sour Sauce
- To a pan over medium heat, add all ingredients listed under “Sweet & Sour Sauce.”
- Whisk and allow to cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Once the sauce starts to boil, mix together cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Pour into the sauce and continue whisking.
- Now, add the chopped bell peppers, onions and pineapple.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes and finally add the crispy cooked pork.
- Toss in the sauce until each piece is coated.
- Serve with a bowl of rice and enjoy!
- Note: you can easily sub the pork for another protein. Shrimp and chicken are amazing alternatives.
