Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork is the easiest dinner recipe inspired by your local Chinese restaurant. In just 15 minutes, you will have the crockpot ready to slow cook for the best sweet-savory weeknight meal.
We love making the homemade version of our favorite takeout dishes — they’re tasty, easy to make, and even easier on your wallet. This Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork is arguably better than delivery, and because it’s so unbelievably simple to prep, it’s perfect for busy weeknights. The delectable sweet and savory sauce is craved by the whole family, making it a real winning dinner.
Tender pork, juicy pineapple and fresh bell peppers are slow cooked in a sticky, tangy-sweet sauce that’s oh so satisfying. And the slow cooker does all the hard work, so all you have to do is set it, forget it, and enjoy. Leftovers are just as delicious the next day, so tomorrow’s dinner is taken care of, too.
If you like the flavors in this recipe, try these other easy Asian-inspired dishes. We love this sweet and savory Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin and this comforting Slow Cooker Beef Ramen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Dump-and-Go Slow Cooker Recipe: It doesn’t get easier than this hands-off, no-fuss one pot recipe. Simply add everything to the slow cooker, set it, forget it, then enjoy when it’s ready!
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: Sweet, tangy and savory, this dish is perfectly balanced and hits all of the flavor notes you want.
- Family-Friendly: Full of familiar flavors and effortless to get on the table, this dinner is great for the whole family. It’s a favorite with kids and adults.
- Great for Meal Prep: Prep this in advance to serve later — this is the ultimate time-saving meal. And leftovers are just as delicious the next day.
- Simple Pantry Ingredients: Easily throw this together using staple items you already have in the fridge and pantry.
Ingredients
- Boneless Pork Loin Chops: Lean and flavorful, these are tender when slow-cooked.
- Onion: Aromatic for flavor, use white or yellow.
- Bell Pepper: We like red here for flavor and color, but use whatever you have on hand.
- Pineapple and Pineapple Juice: Fruity, sweet, and juicy, a key ingredient for “sweet and sour”.
- Brown Sugar: For depth of flavor and a caramelized sweetness.
- Rice Vinegar: Bright and acidic to balance out the sweetness.
- Soy Sauce: For an umami punch.
- Ketchup: Slightly sweet, tangy and tomato-forward to give the sauce that rich taste and texture.
- Cornstarch Slurry: To thicken, as needed.
- Green Onions: For a mild onion flavor and nice pop of color to finish.
How To Make Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork
1. Cut the pork into bite-sized pieces and add to slow cooker.
2. Peel onions and cut into one-inch pieces.
3. Remove stems and seeds from the pepper and cut into one-inch pieces.
4. Add onions, pepper and pineapple to chicken in slow cooker and stir to toss.
5. Whisk together remaining ingredients except green onions.
6. Pour over items in slow cooker.
7. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8.
8. Serve over rice garnished with green onions or as desired.
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Expert Tips
- Cut Pork Evenly: Pieces of pork all around the same size will allow for consistent cooking.
- Use Cornstarch: Don’t skip this ingredient! It’s key for thickening the sauce.
- Use Fresh Pineapple: If available and you enjoy it, go with the fresh variety for a bright, fruity flavor.
- Add Sauce at the End: If you want a slightly thicker consistency, add it towards the end of cooking.
- Taste and Adjust: You can adjust the sweetness or tanginess depending on your preference.
Variations
- Try Different Proteins: Swap the pork out and try using chicken or shrimp for a different, equally as tasty, lean protein.
- Add Extra Veggies: Boost the nutrition in this dish with carrots, snap peas, or broccoli florets.
- Make it Spicy: Add in a dash of red pepper flakes or sriracha for some heat.
- Use Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: If you’d like to control the amount of salt in the dish.
- Substitute Honey for Brown Sugar: For a slightly different sweet flavor.
Storage
This meal is just as delicious the next day. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can freeze leftovers, too.
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before you’re ready to serve again.
To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of water or pineapple juice to refresh.
FAQs
Definitely. Boneless pork tenderloin is another option, since it’s lean, juicy and tender, and great for cutting into small cubes or chunks. A pork butt would also work if you want more of a shredded pork texture.
You can either remove the lid of the slow cooker and let the sauce reduce slightly, or you can mix in an additional cornstarch slurry until the desired consistency is reached.
Definitely. Just use less brown sugar in the sauce and add another dash of vinegar and soy sauce.
Steamed white rice or rice noodles, and a side of simply steamed or roasted vegetables would pair perfectly.
More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes
- Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Crockpot Loaded Mashed Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Pizza Casserole
- Fall Apart Crockpot Roast
Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork
Ingredients
Method
- Cut pork into bite sized pieces and add to slow cooker
- Peel onions and cut into one inch pieces
- Remove stems and seeds from the pepper and cut into one inch pieces
- Add onions, pepper and pineapple to chicken in slow cooker and stir to toss
- Whisk together remaining ingredients except green onions
- Pour over items in slow cooker
- Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8
- Serve over rice garnished with green onions or as desired
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- You can freeze leftovers. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before you’re ready to serve again.
- To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of water or pineapple juice to refresh.