Give a takeaway favourite a healthy makeover at home with this delicious sweet and sour pork recipe. It’s quick to prepare, easy to adapt to whatever you have in the fridge, and popular with the whole family.
Are you bored of cooking the same family dinners over and over? It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, but trying something new doesn’t have to be daunting. Take inspiration from a favourite takeaway dish and recreate it at home with this simple recipe.
Sweet and sour pork works for all ages, and you can add a little spice if your family likes it hotter. It’s really flexible with whatever vegetables you have to hand, and it’s best served with rice or noodles.
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Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely sliced
- 1 clove of garlic, crushed
- 1 thumb size piece of ginger, finely grated
- 4 pork chops (chopped into bite size pieces, fat removed)
- 1 tin pineapple chunks in own juice
- 2–3 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp vinegar (rice or regular white works best)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (muscovado works well)
- 1 red/yellow/green pepper, finely sliced
- 1 carrot, shaved using a peeler (optional)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- Rice, to serve
Method
1. Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan.
2. Add the bite-size pieces of pork and cook for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Remove the meat and add the onion, garlic, ginger, peppers and carrot (you could also add mangetout, sliced courgettes, beansprouts and bamboo shoots if you wish). Cook until the onions and peppers are soft.
4. Return the meat to the wok/pan and add the ketchup, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce and vinegar to create a sauce.
5. Add the pineapple chunks and half the pineapple juice from the can, then cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
6. Taste and adjust to your own palate — add more honey, sugar, pineapple juice or ketchup for sweetness, more soy sauce for saltiness, and more vinegar for sourness.
7. Serve with boiled rice.
Tip: This recipe also works well with chicken breast or thigh meat, prawns, or any firm fish. It’s easy to make as a veggie dish too, simply leave out the meat and add extra vegetables or a plant-based protein.
Verdict: Just like the takeaway, but healthier, since the meat isn’t deep fried. This is a firm family favourite and ready in no time at all.
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FAQs
Can I make this sweet and sour pork recipe ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare the sauce and chop the vegetables in advance, then cook the pork and bring everything together just before serving. It also reheats well the next day, making it a handy option for meal prep.
What can I use instead of pork?
This recipe is easy to adapt. Chicken breast or thigh, prawns, or any firm fish all work well in place of pork. For a vegetarian version, simply leave out the meat and bulk up the vegetables, or add a plant-based protein of your choice.
Is this recipe healthier than a takeaway version?
Yes, it can be. Because the meat is pan-fried rather than deep-fried in batter, this homemade version is generally a lighter option than a typical takeaway sweet and sour pork, while still delivering that same familiar flavour.
Can I freeze sweet and sour pork?
This dish is best enjoyed fresh, as the texture of the vegetables and pineapple can change once frozen and thawed. If you do want to freeze it, it’s best to freeze the pork and sauce separately from any freshly added vegetables.
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