The Art of Perfect Sweet and Sour Pork with Crispy Golden Coating

Perfect Pork Preparation and Marinating

Master the technique of cutting and marinating pork for optimal flavor and tenderness.

Crispy Batter Creation Excellence

Learn the skill of creating light, airy batter that stays crispy after sauce coating.

Deep Frying Temperature Mastery

Perfect the method of maintaining proper oil temperature for golden, crispy results.

Sweet and Sour Sauce Balance Technique

Master the art of achieving perfect balance between sweet, sour, and savory flavors.

Final Assembly and Serving Strategy

Learn optimal timing for combining components while maintaining maximum crispiness.

Sweet and Sour Mastery Secrets for Perfect Crispy Coating and Sauce Balance

Oil Temperature: Maintain 350°F oil temperature for perfect crispy coating.

Batch Frying: Don't overcrowd oil to maintain temperature and crispiness.

Sauce Timing: Add pork to sauce at the last moment to preserve crispiness.

Vegetable Texture: Keep vegetables crisp-tender for best texture contrast.

Serving Speed: Serve immediately while pork coating is at peak crispiness.

Batter Consistency: Cold water helps create lighter, crispier batter.

Classic Sweet and Sour Pork with Crispy Golden Batter and Colorful Vegetables

Name: Classic Sweet and Sour Pork with Crispy Golden Batter and Colorful Vegetables
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: For the Perfect Pork:; 1.5 lbs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes; 2 teaspoons soy sauce; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon white pepper; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; For the Crispy Batter:; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup cornstarch; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 egg, beaten; 3/4 cup cold water; For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:; 1/2 cup rice vinegar; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup ketchup; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; For the Colorful Vegetables:; 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks; 1 green bell pepper, cut into chunks; 1 medium onion, cut into wedges; 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks; For the Aromatic Base:; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced; 2 green onions, chopped; For Deep Frying:; 4 cups vegetable oil for frying

The ultimate sweet and sour pork featuring perfectly crispy golden-battered pork pieces tossed in a vibrant tangy-sweet sauce with colorful bell peppers, pineapple chunks, and onions that creates an authentic Chinese restaurant experience at home. This beloved classic transforms tender pork into crispy perfection with a light, airy batter that stays crunchy while absorbing the perfect balance of sweet pineapple, tangy vinegar, and savory soy flavors, delivering that irresistible combination of textures and tastes that makes this dish a timeless favorite for family dinners and special occasions.

Prep Time

20 Minutes

Cook Time

25 Minutes

Total Time

45 Minutes

Chef

JUE

Ingredients

Custard Cream

For the Perfect Pork:

1.5 lbs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes

2 teaspoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon white pepper

1 tablespoon cornstarch

For the Crispy Batter:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg, beaten

3/4 cup cold water

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

1/2 cup rice vinegar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon cornstarch

For the Colorful Vegetables:

1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks

1 green bell pepper, cut into chunks

1 medium onion, cut into wedges

1 cup fresh pineapple chunks

For the Aromatic Base:

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

2 green onions, chopped

For Deep Frying:

4 cups vegetable oil for frying

For the Sauce Thickening:

2 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon cornstarch slurry

For Garnish and Serving:

2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Fresh cilantro leaves

Steamed white rice

For Special Equipment:

Deep fryer or large pot

Candy thermometer

Wire cooling rack

Large wok or skillet

Instructions

Cut pork shoulder into uniform 1-inch cubes for even cooking.

Marinate pork with soy sauce, salt, white pepper, and cornstarch for 15 minutes.

Prepare sweet and sour sauce by whisking vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce.

Make batter by combining flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in bowl.

Whisk egg and cold water into dry ingredients until smooth batter forms.

Heat oil to 350°F in deep fryer or large heavy pot.

Dip marinated pork pieces in batter, coating completely.

Fry pork in small batches for 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy.

Remove fried pork to wire rack and keep warm in low oven.

Heat wok or large skillet over high heat with 2 tablespoons oil.

Stir-fry bell peppers and onion for 2-3 minutes until crisp-tender.

Add garlic and ginger, stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Pour in sweet and sour sauce and bring to rapid boil.

Add pineapple chunks and cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through.

Thicken sauce with cornstarch slurry if needed for glossy consistency.

Add crispy fried pork to wok and toss gently to coat with sauce.

Remove from heat immediately to maintain pork's crispiness.

Garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and cilantro.

Serve immediately over steamed white rice while pork is crispy.

Provide extra sauce on the side for those who want more.

Classic Sweet and Sour Pork with Crispy Golden Batter and Colorful Vegetables

JUE

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

The Art of Perfect Sweet and Sour Pork with Crispy Golden Coating

Classic Sweet and Sour Pork with Crispy Golden Batter and Colorful Vegetables

Ingredients

Instructions