Easy Sweet and Sour Pork Chops

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!

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.

• 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.

2. Cut slits every two inches or so on the fat side of the pork chops and season each side with salt and pepper.

3. 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.

4. Add the sweet and sour sauce mixture to the same pan and cook until thickened. Add the pineapple to the sauce.

5. Add the chops back to the pan with the sauce and cook until heated through.
6. Serve them up with your favorite side dishes.

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.

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.

More Sweet and Sour Recipes

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