Sweet and sour pork is a classic dish that combines tender meat with a tangy, slightly sweet sauce that delights your taste buds. Making it the traditional way can often mean lots of pans and time spent frying. But with the magic of an Instant Pot, you can whip up this restaurant-worthy dish quickly and effortlessly—all in one pot! Whether you’re craving comfort food for a family meal or hosting friends, this recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Pork


Here’s how to bring this flavorful meal to life. The best part? You can easily customize it to suit your preferences!

Ingredients

For the Pork:

  • 1 ½ lbs pork shoulder or pork loin, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

For the Sauce:

  • 1 cup pineapple chunks (with juice)
  • ⅓ cup rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
  • ⅓ cup ketchup
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional, for extra depth of flavor)
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger

For Thickening:

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water

For the Vegetables:

  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped

Optional Garnish:

  • Sesame seeds
  • Sliced green onions

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pork

  1. Pat the pork pieces dry with paper towels, then toss them in a bowl with cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. This creates a light coating that helps the pork brown beautifully.
  2. Set your Instant Pot to the sauté mode and add the vegetable oil. Once hot, work in batches to brown the pork on all sides. This step locks in flavor and creates a lovely texture. Remove the browned pork and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

  1. With the Instant Pot still on sauté mode, pour in the pineapple juice directly from the can along with the pineapple chunks. Add the rice vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce (if using), minced garlic, and grated ginger.
  2. Stir the sauce mixture until well combined, letting the heat dissolve the sugar and meld the flavors.

Step 3: Pressure Cook

  1. Return the browned pork to the pot, stirring to coat evenly in the sauce.
  2. Turn off the sauté mode. Secure the Instant Pot lid and ensure the valve is set to “Sealing.” Select the pressure cook (or manual) setting and adjust the timer to 10 minutes.
  3. Once the cooking time is up, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes before carefully switching the valve to “Venting” to release any remaining steam.

Step 4: Add the Vegetables

  1. Remove the lid and add the diced bell peppers and onion to the pot. Stir to combine with the pork and sauce.
  2. Set the Instant Pot back to sauté mode and cook for 3-5 minutes, just until the vegetables soften but still retain a slight crunch.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce

  1. Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Pour it into the pot and stir well. Allow everything to simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy, sticky consistency.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

  1. Once the sauce is thickened and the vegetables are perfectly cooked, turn off the Instant Pot.
  2. Serve over steamed rice or noodles for a hearty, satisfying meal. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions for a pop of extra flavor and visual appeal.

Tips and Substitutions

  • For Extra Crisp Pork: After cooking, you can briefly broil the pork in an oven for 3-5 minutes to add some crispness.
  • Vegetarian Option: Replace the pork with cubed tofu or a plant-based protein. Adjust cooking time accordingly, as tofu requires less cooking.
  • No Pineapple? No problem—you can substitute orange juice or apple juice for a slightly different twist.
  • Low-Sugar Version: Use a sugar substitute or reduce the brown sugar to taste. You can also skip the hoisin sauce if you prefer a cleaner flavor.
  • Customize the Veggies: Feel free to toss in carrots, snap peas, or zucchini for added color and crunch.

Wrapping It Up

With this Instant Pot sweet and sour pork recipe, you’ll have a flavorful and perfectly balanced dish in no time. It brings together the tangy punch of vinegar, the rich sweetness of pineapple, and tender, juicy pork, all with minimal cleanup thanks to the Instant Pot. Once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever made sweet and sour pork any other way.

Serve it up for dinner, and don’t forget to save the leftovers—they’re even better the next day! Happy cooking!

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