Sweet & Sour Pork Chop Recipe
Make Sweet & Sour Pork Chop Recipe in just 45m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Pork and Marinade
Sweet & Sour Sauce
Vegetables & Garnish
Method
Pork and Marinade
Prep the pork
Pat pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Marinate
Place chops in a shallow dish. Pour 2 tbs soy sauce, 1 tbs rice wine, and minced garlic over chops. Rub to coat. Let marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes or refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
Coat with cornstarch
After marinating, lightly dredge both sides of each pork chop in 3 tbs cornstarch, shaking off excess so there's a thin, even coating.
Fry the pork
Heat 3/4 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 350°F/175°C if using thermometer). Add chops (work in batches if needed) and fry 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 145°F/63°C). Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate and drain. Leave 1–2 tablespoons oil in the pan for the vegetables and sauce — discard excess if there is more.
Vegetables & Garnish
Add pineapple and scallions
Add 1/2 cup pineapple chunks and most of the sliced scallions (reserve a few for garnish). Stir for 1 minute to warm the pineapple.
Sweet & Sour Sauce
Prepare sauce mixture
In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup pineapple juice, 1/2 cup ketchup, 3 tbs brown sugar, 3 tbs rice vinegar, 1 tbs soy sauce, 1/2 tsp sesame oil, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (if using). Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity to preference.
Make cornstarch slurry
In a small cup, combine 1 tbs cornstarch with 2 tbs water and stir until smooth.
Combine sauce and thicken
Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the vegetables and pineapple. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring. Once simmering, slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Continue to simmer 1–2 minutes until the sauce becomes glossy and thick enough to coat a spoon.
Return pork to pan
Nestle the fried pork chops into the sauce and spoon sauce and vegetables over them. Simmer 1–2 minutes to reheat and allow flavors to meld. If sauce is too thick, add up to 2 tbs water or pineapple juice to loosen slightly.
Finish and garnish
Turn off heat. Sprinkle reserved scallions and toasted sesame seeds over the pork chops. Serve immediately.