4.9 from 56 votes
Sweet and Sour Pork (糖醋里脊)
Sweet and Sour Pork is a classic Chinese dish featuring bite-sized pork pieces marinated, battered lightly, and fried until golden. The pork is coated in a tangy sauce prepared from ketchup, vinegar, Shaoxing wine, and brown sugar, offering a balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors. Stir-fried with green onions and garlic, this dish showcases a combination of crispy texture and a bright sauce.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Servings:
4
servings
Calories:
527 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Chinese
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450 grams) pork loin cut to 1-inch (2-cm) pieces, or tenderloin
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
Marinade
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1 egg , beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Stir-fry
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
- 2 green onions , sliced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
Instructions
- Combine the pork pieces, vegetable oil, and salt in a big bowl. Mix well and let marinate for 15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Mix all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- When you’re ready to cook, add the beaten egg into the bowl with the pork. Stir to mix well. Add the cornstarch. Stir to coat the pork until it forms an uneven coating with a little dry cornstarch left unattached.
- Heat the oil in a heavy-duty skillet until hot, until it just starts to smoke. Add the pork all at once and spread it out into a single layer in the skillet. Separate the pork pieces with a pair of tongs or chopsticks.
- Cook without touching the pork for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the bottom turns golden. Flip to brown the other side, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the pork to a big plate and remove the pan from the stove. Let cool for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Place the pan back onto the stove and turn to medium heat. You should still have 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil in the pan. Add the green onion and garlic. Cook and stir a few times until it releases its fragrance, a few seconds.
- Stir the sauce again to dissolve the cornstarch completely. Pour it into the pan. Stir and cook until it thickens, when you can draw a line on the bottom with a spatula without the sauce running back immediately.
- Add back the cooked pork and stir to coat with sauce, about 30 seconds. Transfer everything to a plate immediately.
- Serve hot as a main over steamed rice.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
527kcal
(26%)
Carbohydrates
26.6g
(9%)
Protein
29.1g
(58%)
Fat
33.1g
(51%)
Saturated Fat
8.6g
(43%)
Cholesterol
121mg
(40%)
Sodium
748mg
(31%)
Potassium
517mg
(11%)
Fiber
0.4g
(2%)
Sugar
10.8g
(22%)
Calcium
1mg
(0%)
Iron
517mg
(2872%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 527
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 527kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 26.6g | 9% |
| Protein | 29.1g | 58% |
| Fat | 33.1g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 8.6g | 43% |
| Cholesterol | 121mg | 40% |
| Sodium | 748mg | 31% |
| Potassium | 517mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 0.4g | 2% |
| Sugar | 10.8g | 22% |
| Calcium | 1mg | 0% |
| Iron | 517mg | 2872% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.