Quick Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe That Dazzles

My kitchen experiments with slow cooker sweet and sour pork often surprise dinner guests with unexpected flavors.

Friends always ask for the secret behind such tender meat.

Tangy sauce mingles perfectly with juicy pork chunks, creating a delightful balance of sweet and zesty notes.

Weeknight meals need not be complicated or bland when you have smart cooking techniques.

Simple ingredients and minimal prep work mean maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Incredible aromas will drift through your home, promising a meal that delights every palate.

You won’t believe how easily this recipe comes together in just a few steps.

Why Sweet And Sour Pork Recipe Is A Flavorful Favorite

• Unleash Incredible Flavor Complexity: This slow cooker sweet and sour pork delivers an amazing blend of tangy, sweet, and savory tastes that dance across your palate with every single bite.
• Conquer Minimal Prep Work: Simply toss ingredients into the slow cooker, mix the sauce, and let the magic happen without standing over a hot stove or complicated cooking techniques.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings, this recipe guarantees smiles and empty plates with its universally loved flavor profile that appeals to both kids and adults.
• Master Hands-Off Cooking: The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, transforming affordable pork shoulder into tender, mouthwatering meat while you go about your day doing other activities.

Ingredients To Make Sweet And Sour Pork Recipe In The Slow Cooker

• Pork Shoulder: A tender cut that becomes incredibly soft and flavorful when slow-cooked.

• Pineapple Chunks, Bell Pepper, Onion: Fresh ingredients that add natural sweetness, color, and depth to the dish.

• Soy Sauce, Ketchup, Apple Cider Vinegar, Brown Sugar: A classic combination that creates the signature sweet and sour flavor profile.
• Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic ingredients that provide a robust and zesty base to the sauce.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing the overall taste of the dish.

• Cornstarch: A helpful ingredient that creates a glossy and thick sauce texture.

• Sesame Seeds: A crunchy topping that adds a nutty flavor and visual appeal to the final dish.

How To Cook Sweet And Sour Pork Recipe The Easy Way

Step 1: Prep the Protein

Cut pork shoulder into bite-sized cubes for even cooking. Select uniform pieces to ensure consistent tenderness throughout the dish.

Step 2: Chop Fresh Produce

• Pineapple chunks
• Bell peppers
• Onions

Cutting them into similar sizes helps distribute flavors evenly.

Step 3: Whisk Flavor Explosion

• Soy sauce
• Ketchup
• Apple cider vinegar
• Brown sugar
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger

Blend ingredients thoroughly to develop a rich, complex taste profile.

Step 4: Layer Ingredients

Transfer chopped pork to slow cooker. Scatter produce over meat. Drizzle entire sauce mixture, ensuring complete coverage. Gently stir to distribute ingredients evenly.

Step 5: Slow Cook Magic

• Low setting: 6-8 hours
• High setting: 3-4 hours

Cooking low and slow allows meat to become incredibly tender and absorb delicious flavors.

Step 6: Sauce Enhancement

Create optional sauce thickener by mixing cornstarch with water. Stir into cooking liquid during final 30 minutes to achieve desired consistency.

Step 7: Flavor Balancing

Taste final dish. Season with salt and pepper as needed. Adjust seasoning to personal preference.

Step 8: Elegant Presentation

Plate sweet and sour pork. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for elegant finish. Serve alongside steamed rice or noodles for complete meal.

Helpful Pointers For Sweet And Sour Pork Recipe

• Trim Fat Carefully: Remove excess fat from pork shoulder to prevent greasy texture while maintaining meat's tenderness and flavor.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Add cornstarch slurry gradually to avoid over-thickening, ensuring perfect sauce coating for the pork.
• Balance Sweet and Tangy: Adjust vinegar and sugar proportions to create personalized flavor profile matching your taste preferences.
• Prevent Overcooking: Check pork's internal temperature to maintain juicy meat, avoiding dryness during slow cooking process.
• Enhance Vegetable Crunch: Consider adding fresh bell peppers during last hour of cooking to preserve their crisp texture and vibrant color.

Fun Flavor Variations For Sweet And Sour Pork Recipe

• Chicken Swap: Replace pork shoulder with boneless chicken thighs for a lighter protein option that absorbs sauce equally well.
• Vegetarian Delight: Substitute pork with firm tofu or seitan cubes, maintaining the same cooking method and sweet-sour sauce for a plant-based alternative.
• Spicy Asian Version: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to increase heat level, creating a more intense flavor profile while keeping core recipe intact.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Skip brown sugar, use sugar-free ketchup, and serve over cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice to reduce carbohydrate content.

What To Serve With Sweet And Sour Pork Recipe

• Elevate Flavor Companions: Crisp Riesling Pairing
• A light, slightly sweet Riesling wine perfectly balances the tangy sweet and sour pork, cutting through the richness while complementing the dish's fruity undertones.
• Refresh Palate Enhancer: Jasmine Rice Base
• Soft, fragrant jasmine rice creates a neutral canvas that absorbs the sauce's complex flavors, providing a smooth textural contrast to the tender pork pieces.
• Brighten Plate Partner: Quick Cucumber Salad
• A zesty cucumber salad with rice vinegar and fresh herbs adds a cool, crisp element that lightens the meal and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, saucy pork.

Storing Sweet And Sour Pork Recipe Without Losing Taste

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Cool completely before sealing and place in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled sweet and sour pork to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, cover with damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Pour leftovers into skillet, add splash of water or broth to prevent drying, cover and warm over medium-low heat.

Common Questions About Sweet And Sour Pork Recipe

• Is pork shoulder the best cut for this recipe?

Pork shoulder is ideal because it’s flavorful, tender, and becomes incredibly soft when slow-cooked, making it perfect for sweet and sour dishes.

• Can I use frozen pork for this recipe?

Fresh pork is recommended, but if using frozen, completely thaw the meat first and pat it dry to ensure proper cooking and better sauce absorption.

• What if I don't have apple cider vinegar?

White vinegar or rice vinegar can work as excellent substitutes, maintaining the tangy flavor profile of the sweet and sour sauce.

• How do I prevent the pork from becoming tough?

Always cook on low heat, ensure enough liquid is present, and avoid overcooking to keep the pork tender and juicy throughout the cooking process.

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes – 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering slow cooker sweet and sour pork delivers tangy Asian-inspired flavors that dance across your palate. Tender pork chunks glazed with zesty sauce promise a simple yet irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) pork shoulder, cubed

Fruits and Vegetables:

• 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
• 1 bell pepper (red, green, or a mix), diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated

Sauce and Seasoning:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening, optional)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Carefully cube the pork shoulder into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking in the slow cooker.
2. Distribute pineapple chunks, bell peppers, and onions evenly over the pork, creating a flavorful base layer.
3. Whisk together soy sauce, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a separate mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
4. Drizzle the prepared sauce over the meat and vegetables, gently mixing to coat all ingredients completely.
5. Secure the slow cooker lid and cook on low temperature for 6-8 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours until pork becomes fork-tender.
6. During the final 30 minutes of cooking, create a cornstarch slurry by blending cornstarch with water, then stir into the sauce to enhance thickness and texture.
7. Taste the sweet and sour pork and season with salt and pepper to elevate the overall flavor profile.
8. Transfer the succulent pork to serving dishes, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and pair with steamed rice or noodles for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Choose fatty cuts like pork shoulder for maximum tenderness and rich flavor that melts in your mouth during slow cooking.
• Dice meat and vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Adjust sauce sweetness by balancing vinegar and brown sugar according to personal taste preferences, creating a personalized sweet-sour profile.
• Use cornstarch sparingly when thickening sauce to prevent a gloppy consistency, adding gradually and stirring thoroughly for smooth results.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3-8 hours
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg