Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin

Chef John's sweet and sour pork with pineapple and green onions is a lighter version of the Chinese take-out classic.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 297 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• Salt and ground black pepper
• 1 (1 1/4 pound) pork tenderloin, trimmed of silver skin
• 1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained with juice reserved
• 2 teaspoons hot chili sauce (such as Sriracha®)
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onion tops
• 0.33333334326744 cup ketchup
• 0.33333334326744 cup seasoned rice vinegar
• 0.25 cup chopped green onion (white part only)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Cut tenderloin into 4 pieces. Arrange in a single layer between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet until each is about 1-inch thick. Generously season with salt and black pepper.

Step 2

Whisk ketchup, rice vinegar, reserved pineapple juice, brown sugar, garlic, hot chili sauce, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. Set aside.

Step 3

Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over high heat. Place pork in pan; reduce heat to medium. Cook until browned on both sides and cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

Step 4

Return skillet to medium heat. Stir butter into hot pan. When butter melts and starts to brown, stir in pineapple chunks. Cook, stirring, until pineapple is golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in ketchup mixture and 1/4 cup green onion (white parts). Reduce heat to low and simmer until garlic and onion have softened, 5 minutes.

Step 6

Return pork to skillet; cook, stirring, until pork is heated through. Garnish with 2 tablespoons green onion tops.