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    Home » Recipes » Main Courses

    Easy Sweet and Sour Pork Chops

    Published: Jan 20, 2023 · Modified: Feb 11, 2024 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. 5 Comments

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    Tasty sweet and sour pork chops made with simple ingredients and pan-fried to perfection a delicious pork chop dinner the entire family will love. It's easy to make and is sure to make dinner a win-win!

    Overhead photo of Sweet and sour pork chops with pineapple cooked and ready to eat.

    If you love recipes that are loaded with flavor but not a lot of work, then these sweet and sour pork chops with pineapple are definitely one you will love!

    I've been making these delicious pork chops for years, and they're always a hit when served for dinner. This easy recipe makes a delicious and healthy recipe that satisfies everyone. You can't beat that.

    If you love the simple flavors in this recipe, you're going to love this tasty sweet and sour chicken thighs recipe. Serve it up with a quick vegetable stir fry, fried rice or some crispy egg rolls.

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    • It's an easy recipe any level cook can prepare.
    • Requires only eight simple ingredients.
    • A pork chop dinner that's loaded with sweet, sour, and spicy flavors.
    • It's both healthy and delicious.

    Ingredients

    This pan-fried pork chops recipe requires only a handful of simple ingredients. Let's look more closely at those that make this recipe pop. Get the complete list of ingredients in the recipe card at the end of the post.

    Overhead photo of all the ingredients needed to make Sweet and Sour Pork Chops.
    • Pork chops: I love making this recipe with bone-in pork chops because they cook up so juicy and flavorful but it also works great with boneless pork chops too.
    • Apple cider vinegar: Gives the sauce a mild, tangy flavor.
    • Sugar: Just a touch to make the sauce sweeter.
    • Pineapple juice: Intensifies the flavor of the sweet and sour marinade and adds some sweetness too.
    • Tomato paste: Gives the sauce more depth of flavor.
    • Red pepper flakes: Just a bit for some heat.
    • Pineapple chunks or crushed pineapple: Gives some texture and more pineapple flavor to the sauce.

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Don't eat pork chops? This sweet and sour recipe can be made with chicken breasts or beef.
    • Prefer things milder? Omit the red pepper flakes for a mild version of this dish.
    • Like it spicier? Add more cayenne pepper, chili paste, red chili flakes, or sriracha sauce to your own tastes.
    • No Added Sugar: Use Splenda, Stevia, or similar in place of the sugar.

    How to Make Sweet and Sour Pork Chops

    This is an easy recipe that comes together quickly. Let's look at the main steps involved. Detailed instructions are available in the recipe card further down the page.

    1. Combine all the ingredients except pork chops, pineapple, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
    2. Mix them together with a whisk until completely mixed together and sugar is dissolved.
    Ingredients for the sweet and sour sauce in a small pitcher.
    Sweet and sour sauce is mixed in a small pitcher using a whisk.
    1. Cut slits every two inches or so on the fat side of the pork chops and season each side with salt and pepper.
    Pork chops on a tray with salt and pepper sprinkled on top.
    1. Place the pork chops into a skillet and fry until nicely browned and cooked through. When they're ready, place the pork chops on a plate and loosely tent with foil.
    Seasoned pork chops cooked in a cast iron skillet.
    1. Add the sweet and sour sauce mixture to the same pan and cook until thickened. Add the pineapple to the sauce.
    Sweet and sour sauce with pineapple cooking in a pan.
    1. Add the chops back to the pan with the sauce and cook until heated through.
    2. Serve them up with your favorite side dishes.
    Pork chops with sweet and sour sauce inside a skillet.
    Sweet and sour pork chops served up on a plate with broccoli and rice. One pork chop is sliced.

    Storage

    • Refrigerator: Store leftover pork chops for up to four days in an airtight container.
    • Freezer: Store for up to three months in an airtight, freezer-safe container.
    • Reheat: Place the pork chops and sauce in a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Add water if needed to thin out the sauce.
    • Make Ahead: I don't recommend making this pork recipe in advance. It's best made right before serving.

    What to Serve with Pork Chops

    • Steamed white or brown rice
    • Cauliflower rice
    • Noodles including rice noodles, soba, pasta, zoodles, or egg noodles.
    • Mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes or choose another potato recipe you enjoy.
    • A simple vegetable side dish goes great such as carrots, corn side dishes or a green bean recipe.

    For more serving ideas and side dish inspiration, check out our list of what to serve with pork chops.

    Sweet and sour pork chops cooked in a skillet with sauce and bits of pineapple.

    Tips and FAQs

    • Cutting slits in the fat side of the pork chops is the key for even cooking because it keeps them from curling up as they cook.
    • Add the chops when the skillet is hot. You know your skillet is ready for frying the pork chops when a drop of water "dances" across the surface.
    • Choose pork chops that are evenly-sized so they cook the same amount of time.
    • The sauce is a bit spicy so be sure to adjust for kids or those with sensitivity to spicy foods.
    Can I double this recipe?

    Yes, you sure can. The sauce doubles easily, and you just have to buy extra pork chops.

    How do you know when pork chops are done?

    Chops are done when they register 145 degrees in the thickest part of the meat.

    Can you eat medium-rare pork chops?

    Absolutely! 145 degrees is the internal temperature of medium-rare pork chops. That temperature is enough to kill bacteria and parasites that might be found in pork.

    Closeup overhead photo of Sweet and sour pork chops served up on a plate with rice and broccoli.

    More Sweet and Sour Recipes

    • Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs
      Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs
    • Easy Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs (Sweet and Sour Ribs)
    • A green beans and corn recipe served with corn on a white plate.
      Sweet and Sour Green Beans and Corn Recipe
    • An overhead view of a plate with sweet and sour beef roast in a slow cooker on a plate.
      Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Beef Roast
    Sweet and sour pork chops cooked and ready to eat.

    Easy Sweet and Sour Pork Chops

    Karin and Ken
    Tasty sweet and sour pork chops made with simple ingredients and pan-fried to perfection a delicious pork chop dinner the entire family will love. It's easy to make and is sure to make dinner a win-win!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Resting Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 401 kcal

    Equipment

    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • mixing bowl
    • whisk
    • wooden spoon
    • Rubber spatula
    • large skillet
    • paper towel
    • Aluminum foil

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 pork chops loin, rib or center cut, bone or boneless, 1 inch thick
    • ⅓ cup cider vinegar
    • ⅓ cup sugar -
    • ⅓ cup pineapple juice -
    • 1 can (5.5-6 oz) tomato paste -
    • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes more or less to taste
    • salt and pepper
    • 2 tablespoons olive or another vegetable oil
    • ½ - 1 cup pineapple chunks or crushed, if desired
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium sized bowl combine pineapple juice, vinegar, red pepper flakes, tomato paste,and sugar. Make sure your sugar is totally dissolved. Set aside.
    • Wash and cut slices into the side of each pork chop with the fat and silver skin along the edge. This stops the pork chops from curling. Make cuts every 1 ½ to 2 inches along that edge. The cuts should be no more than ½ an inch deep.
    • Dry pork chops with paper towels and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
    • Heat about 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering or a drop of water flicked in it dances.
    • Add pork chops and cook until well browned and cooked, between 5 and 8 minutes per side. Your pork chops should be 145 degrees.
    • If pork chops are thinner than 1 inch reduce your cooking time.
    • Remove pork chops from your skillet and place on a plate and cover or tent loosely with tinfoil.
    • Add tomato mixture to pan and simmer, until thickened or reduced, about 5 minutes.
    • Return pork chops to your skillet to coat in tomato mixture. Use extra sauce for serving. Serve with rice. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Cutting slits in the fat side of the pork chops is the key for even cooking because it keeps them from curling up as they cook.
    • Add the chops when the skillet is hot. You know your skillet is ready for frying the pork chops when a drop of water "dances" across the surface.
    • Choose pork chops that are evenly-sized so they cook the same amount of time.
    • The sauce is a bit spicy so be sure to adjust for kids or those with sensitivity to spicy foods.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 401kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 29gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 77mgPotassium: 663mgFiber: 1gSugar: 31gVitamin A: 203IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword sweet and sour pork chops
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This post was originally published November 2016. It has been republished with new images and content.

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    Comments

    1. Candi Heap says

      January 12, 2019 at 12:25 pm

      Can I make this a couple hours ahead and heat up later? Hate to be in kitchen when company is here.

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        January 12, 2019 at 7:44 pm

        You bet you can! I hate spending all of my time in the kitchen when I have visitors too! I just threw my pork chops and sauce into an oven safe dish with a lid and warmed it up in the oven. Turned out great! Hope you enjoy these pork chops as much as we do! Please let me know how it goes. I would love to hear! All the best. Karin

    2. Catherine Carnes says

      November 16, 2016 at 9:31 pm

      How much soy sauce and ginger?

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        November 17, 2016 at 2:45 pm

        We can not thank you enough for contacting us. Somehow 2 recipes were mixed up. Hope you enjoy these pork chops! We love them! Thank you again. Take care and all the best. Karin

      • Karin and Ken says

        November 17, 2016 at 2:45 pm

        We can not thank you enough for contacting us. Somehow 2 recipes were mixed up. Hope you enjoy these pork chops! We love them! Thank you again. Take care and all the best. Karin

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    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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