‹ Michigan Apple Recipes

Sweet and Sour Pork with Apples

Enjoy a fusion of flavors with Sweet and Sour Pork with Michigan Apples, featuring tender pork cooked in a tangy sauce with the sweetness of crisp apples for a deliciously balanced dish. Make either traditionally or in an Instant Pot.

Recipe developed by Lori Yates of Foxes Love Lemons.

Recommended Apple Variety:

Gala

Also features Michigan Apple Cider

Traditional Recipe

Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon Michigan Apple Cider
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1-1/4 pound boneless pork sirloin chops, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 Michigan Gala apples, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 small yellow onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 4 cups cooked white or brown rice
  • 4 green onions, thinly sliced
Directions:
  1. In small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup cider, tomato sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce and ginger.
  2. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add pork to skillet in even layer and cook 5 to 6 minutes or until pork begins to brown, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add garlic, apples, bell pepper and yellow onion to skillet.
  5. Cook 3 to 4 minutes longer or until onion begins to soften, stirring occasionally.
  6. Stir in cider mixture. Cook 4 to 5 minutes or until apples and vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
  7. Whisk cornstarch and remaining 1 tablespoon cider in small bowl until smooth. Stir cornstarch mixture into skillet and heat to boiling over medium-high heat.
  8. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Sauce should thicken during this time.
  9. Divide rice between 4 plates and divide pork mixture over rice. Serve garnished with green onions.

Instant Pot Recipe

Ingredients:
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1-1/4 pound boneless pork sirloin chops, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon Michigan Apple Cider
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 Michigan Gala Apples, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 small yellow onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 4 cups cooked white or brown rice
  • 4 green onions, thinly sliced
Directions:
  1. Add oil to 6 Quart Instant Pot and select high Sauté setting. Allow oil to heat for 2 minutes.
  2. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper, then add pork to pot in even layer and cook 6 to 7 minutes or until pork begins to brown, stirring occasionally.
  3. Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir together garlic, 1/2 cup cider, tomato sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce and ginger.
  4. Add apples, bell pepper, yellow onion and cider mixture to pot and stir to combine.
  5. Secure lid and set Pressure Release to Sealing. Press Cancel button to reset cooking program.
  6. Select Pressure Cook or Manual Setting and set cooking time for 1 minute at low pressure (pot will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure before cooking time begins).
  7. When cooking time ends, perform quick pressure release by moving Pressure Release to Venting.
  8. While pressure is releasing, whisk cornstarch and remaining 1 tablespoon cider in small bowl until smooth.
Sweet Sour Pork with Apples