This Instant Pot sweet and sour pork is an easy weeknight dinner packed with tender pork, juicy pineapple, colorful bell peppers, and a homemade sweet and tangy sauce. It tastes even better than takeout and comes together quickly with simple ingredients you probably already have at home!
Tips For The Best Sweet and Sour Pork
- Fresh pineapple gives the best flavor
- Cut the pork into evenly sized pieces for even cooking
- Add the bell peppers after pressure cooking so they stay crisp
- For extra flavor, stir in a small drizzle of sesame oil before serving
What To Serve With Sweet and Sour Pork
This recipe pairs perfectly with:
- White rice
- Jasmine rice
- Fried rice
- Steamed broccoli
- Egg rolls
The Best Easy Instant Pot Dinner
If you love easy Instant Pot recipes that taste like takeout, this sweet and sour pork is going to become a regular in your dinner rotation. The combination of tender pork, sweet pineapple, and flavorful sauce creates the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Plus, everything cooks quickly in the Instant Pot, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
A Nostalgic Comfort Food Recipe
Sweet and sour pork is one of those classic dishes I grew up eating, and making it at home brings back so many memories. Traditionally found at Chinese restaurants, this version keeps all the delicious flavors you love while using simple pantry ingredients and an easy cooking method.
Why The Instant Pot Works So Well
The Instant Pot makes the pork incredibly tender in just minutes. Pressure cooking locks in moisture and allows the pork to soak up all of the sweet and tangy sauce flavors. Adding the bell peppers at the end keeps them vibrant and slightly crisp instead of overly soft.
Tips For Success
For the best results, avoid stirring the sauce before pressure cooking. Layering the sauce on top helps prevent the Instant Pot burn notice. Also, don’t skip adding the bell peppers at the end — this keeps them colorful and fresh instead of mushy.
Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Pork
Ingredients
For the pork
- 1 pound pork loin cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 yellow onion cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1 green bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 red bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces
For the sauce
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger optional
Cornstarch slurry
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Add the pork, onion, and pineapple chunks to the Instant Pot.
- Add in the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, water, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Do not stir to prevent burning.
- Secure the lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.
- Once cooking is complete, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully quick release the remaining pressure.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth.
- Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Stir in the slurry, then add the bell peppers.
- Turn on saute mode for 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the peppers are slightly tender.
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