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Sweet and Sour Pork No Fry

A healthier, no-fry version of the classic sweet and sour pork, bursting with vibrant flavors and quick to make in under 30 minutes!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 ounces pork tenderloin, thinly sliced
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce preferably Kikkoman for rich flavor
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil canola or avocado oil works well
  • 5 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1/2 medium onion, cut into 1/3 inch strips
  • 1 1/2 cups Mini or English cucumber, halved lengthwise and sliced
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple, cut into bite-sized pieces fresh is best, but canned can work
  • 1 cup bell pepper, any color, julienned
  • 1/2 cup unsalted roasted cashews Chopped, if preferred smaller
  • 1 to 2 green onions, chopped optional but adds a lovely finishing touch
  • Jasmine rice for serving get good quality for extra fragrance
Sauce Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed light brown gives a nice caramelization
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sriracha adjust to taste
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Remove any silver skin from the pork, then cut the tenderloin in half horizontally and slice each half into 1/3-inch slices. Place in a small mixing bowl and toss with 2 teaspoons soy sauce to coat evenly.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, white vinegar, oyster sauce, sriracha, soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil. Stir until the sugar is mostly dissolved; set aside.
Cooking
  1. Heat a wok (or a large skillet) over high heat and add 2 tablespoons neutral oil. Once hot, add the pork in a single layer. Let it cook undisturbed for about 1-2 minutes until browned. Toss and stir for another 30 seconds until mostly cooked through. Transfer the pork to a bowl, leaving behind any oil and juices in the wok.
  2. Reduce the heat to medium and, if needed, add a touch more oil. Add the chopped garlic and sliced onions, stirring until the garlic is fragrant and golden, about 1-2 minutes.
  3. Raise the heat back to high, throwing in the cucumber, pineapple, and bell peppers along with the sweet and sour sauce. Toss everything together for about 2 minutes, allowing the beautiful flavors to mingle and soften slightly.
  4. Add the cooked pork back to the wok, stirring until everything is heated through—this should take another 30 seconds.
  5. Stir in the cashews and garnish with chopped green onions if using. Serve with jasmine rice.

Notes

Keep an eye on the colors of the vegetables! They should maintain some crunch and brightness. Avoid overcooking them to preserve their vibrant flavors.