Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a restaurant-quality dish that's easier to make than you'd ever imagine! This Sweet and Sour Pork Skillet is a culinary adventure that brings the vibrant flavors of Chinese cuisine right to your kitchen. In just 35 minutes, you'll create a mouthwatering meal that combines tender, juicy pork, crisp vegetables, and a perfectly balanced sweet and tangy sauce that will have everyone at the table begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Chinese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork tenderloin, cubed
- 1 cup bell peppers, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1/2 cup sweet and sour sauce
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by cutting pork tenderloin into 1-inch cubes, chopping bell peppers and onion into uniform pieces, and draining pineapple chunks if using canned.
- Pat pork cubes dry with paper towels to ensure proper browning, then season lightly with salt and black pepper.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot.
- Add pork cubes to the skillet in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Cook for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides evenly.
- Remove browned pork from skillet and set aside on a clean plate.
- In the same skillet, add chopped onions and bell peppers. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until vegetables start to soften and develop slight caramelization.
- Return pork cubes to the skillet, add pineapple chunks, and pour sweet and sour sauce over the entire mixture.
- Stir to coat all ingredients evenly and simmer for 5-7 minutes until sauce thickens and pork is fully cooked through.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed with additional salt, pepper, or sauce.
- Remove from heat and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving hot over steamed rice.
Tips
- Pat the pork dry before cooking to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear that locks in flavor and creates a delicious crispy exterior.
- Don't overcrowd the skillet when cooking pork - this ensures each piece browns evenly and develops a beautiful caramelization.
- Use fresh pineapple if possible, as it can add a more vibrant and natural sweetness to the dish.
- For extra flavor, consider marinating the pork cubes in a little soy sauce for 15-30 minutes before cooking.
- If you want to make the dish spicier, add a teaspoon of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sweet and sour sauce.
- Serve immediately over steamed rice to capture the dish at its most delicious, with the sauce still hot and glossy.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 90mg
