Pork with sweet and sour sauce is a classic and mouthwatering Chinese meal. Takeout is unnecessary because you can easily make it at home, and much better, in the Instant Pot. Serve alongside rice.
| Prep Time: | 20 mins |
| Cook Time: | 40 mins |
| Additional Time: | 10 mins |
| Total Time: | 1 hr 10 mins |
| Servings: | 4 |
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound boneless pork loin, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
- 1 ¼ cups water, divided
- ½ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup rice vinegar
- ⅓ cup pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- aluminum foil
- 1 onion, vertically sliced
- 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into large chunks
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into large chunks
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (Optional)
Instructions
- Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as an Instant Pot) and select Saute function. Add oil and heat until hot. Add pork cubes, working in batches if necessary, and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Return all the pork back to the pot and cancel Saute mode.
- Whisk together 3/4 cup water, ketchup, rice vinegar, pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic in a small bowl. Pour over pork and stir to combine.
- Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer’s instructions; set timer for 5 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
- Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer’s instructions, about 5 minutes. Release remaining pressure using the quick-release method. Unlock the lid and remove. Transfer pork to a plate using a slotted spoon. Cover with foil to keep warm.
- Select Saute mode and stir in onion, pineapple, and red and green bell peppers. Simmer until vegetables start to soften, 6 to 7 minutes.
- Whisk together cornstarch and remaining 1/2 cup water in a small bowl until smooth. Pour slurry into the pot. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce has thickened to your preferred consistency, about 2 minutes. Return cooked pork back to the pot and heat until just warmed through. Garnish with sesame seeds.
- Feel free to use whatever color bell peppers you like. Canned, drained pineapple chunks may be substituted for fresh.
- Adjust thickness of sauce by either adding more water for a thinner sauce or whisking in cornstarch mixed with water to thicken it.
Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 329 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 36 g |
| Cholesterol | 54 mg |
| Dietary Fiber | 3 g |
| Protein | 22 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3 g |
| Sodium | 649 mg |
| Sugars | 24 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 0 g |
Reviews
This was nice. It’s the first time I’ve made sweet and sour pork from scratch. Hubby and my eldest loved it, but my youngest wasn’t a fan. I think it could be better if made with a fattier cut of pork, and I think the sauce could be a little sweeter and a little less sour. Will likely make again and adjust the sugar and vinegar to balance the sauce more to my liking.
Great recipe! Followed pretty much as written, although I never really “measure” my ingredients, just eyeball my amounts. One mistake I made though, was I followed the advice of another reviewer who added veggies with the pork and cooked them all together. Veggies in Instant Pot tend to mush and they did. BUT kids loved it, wife loved it and even I, who normally doesn’t eat pineapple thought it was a decent change. Will deff make again, but following original instructions!
Tasted good but took a long time. Next time we’ll just make this on the stovetop in a skillet.
This was kinda okay. I would give it 2.5 stars. I probably won’t be making it again. Worth trying, though.
I followed the recipe as is except didn’t use green peppers because I don’t like their flavour. I am a beginner with my Instantpot and this recipe was amazing. Really easy to make and turned out great. Will definitely make again!
I thought this tasted very good. One note: to me, the point of using the Instant Pot is to save time, so instead of sauteing the vegetables separately, I put them all in the pot after cooking the pork and adding the sauce. Set the pot to 5 minutes like the recipe said and it came out great. Only thing I messed up is I didn’t drain the pork after sauteing, the sauce was a little watery for me.
It was okay but not as much sweet and sour flavour to it as we had hoped. Followed recipe exactly. Would be tempted to slightly modify with more brown sugar.
It was great! Everyone in the family enjoyed it. I will add this one to our favorites:)
Excellent !!!! My family and I love this recipe ! It’s a keeper. Thanks for the share.
I had no pepper pineapple so I used squash and peaches. Came out great!